Rick68fl

I got hired by an HCA hospital on the gulf coast as a new grad and while there are some things that I don't particularly care for, it is not a bad place to work so far. Pay: $22 per hr plus $4.50 night diff. Ratios: 1:7 on nights. The only real negatives I can think of are equipment related. A lot of the equipment is old, beds don't always work right, we don't have COWS/WOWS, etc. All of the night staff are wonderful though. Everyone helps everyone. I'm not in any hurry to move on.

Hi Rod, I've been following your thread. What has changed? Getting tired of it? I have often thought about two places as well. Kind of like being a paid snowbird.

You might want to leave your phone in the car for the retest... Just sayin.'

Wow. If I owned that clinic, I would be spending the weekend figuring out a way to replace you with another nurse. We live in the era of direct deposit. Get it and you will get paid on time (or maybe even early). If you refuse to get it, don't expect everyone else to change their entire operation to get you a check when you (through no fault of theirs) don't make it in to pick up your check when you know it will be ready.

Oohh, I like that. Sucking on a Halls cough drop under a mask works great too. I've heard about the Vicks thing, and it makes sense. I have just never gotten around to buying any.

I got a bedpan filled with urine dumped on my foot yesterday, does that count? Seriously though, you will get splashed. Count on it happening. If you anticipate it happening, wear a mask, gown, eye shield, booties, etc. When it happens unexpectedly, get grossed out a little, go wash it off, and get back to work like the rest of us do. :icon_roll

Sounds like you need to go to the director of nursing. If that doesn't get you a response, go to whoever is responsible for risk management.

Too funny! Vomit is one of the least offensive things we have to clean up on a regular basis.

Yup! I'm with the majority.

^^^ I wish I could like that one more than once. ^^^ (And this is coming from a former smoker)

Even if there was not such a policy, having a cigarette right before your interview may very well prevent you from being hired also, just because of the smell.

When will you actually start clinicals?

If this was the way it happened and you were never convicted of anything then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. However, if you were booked into the system, there is a disposition of some sort. Whether that disposition is a conviction, a dismissal, a nolle prosequi, whatever. There is a disposition. You need to get a copy of a background check on yourself and see what it actually says. Then you will know what to do.

I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear better. You hear everything better, whether heart sounds, lung sounds, abd sounds - whatever. It is a little bit heavier, but not enough to worry about. I like it better than my other one, I just think it is too fancy for my med surg floor, so I carry the other one.

Oops - double post.

I have both. Received the Cardiac as a gift, and it is amazing! I bought a Classic (Light) one because the Cardiac is kind of fancy for regular med surg stuff. The Classic is nice, but you hear better with the Cardiac. If I ever get a job in a unit, I will go back to using the Cardiac.

EV1987, Based on what you have written and your response to other peoples' posts, you just seem to be one of those people who become offended over every little thing you see. If the behavior doesn't bother the people involved (some people actually like the attention) then I question why it should bother you. Honestly, it sounds like harmless flirtation to me.

One thing to remember though. In your first semester of nursing school clinicals (or at least in mine) for the most part, all you will be doing will be CNA duties. So it will not be an indicator of what being a nurse is like. Having said that, you won't have 15 patients or any of that other stuff to deal with.

Yes, I have also accidentally hurt peoples' feelings before and felt terrible about it. When you have a mouth as big as mine, unfortunately you are going to put your foot in it at times. Big difference between that and having people get offended for no reason at all other than they are offended by pretty much everything. Those are the people I make it a point to offend on a regular basis... :flamesonb

Yeah, I am MUCH more low key at work for that exact reason. Out in the real world though - Watch Out!!

I have learned over the years that no matter what I do or say, some uptight busy-body is going to get his or her panties in a wad and be offended. So... I don't care anymore. Unless you are my boss, you becoming offended by something I say or do bothers you MUCH more than it bothers me - so have at it!

I would apply to all of them. What's the worst thing they can do, not hire you? That was how I got my current job, actually. My hospital had about 30 positions open for RNs with experience. Me (a new grad) applied to every one of them. Two days later, I got a call from a recruiter (who was chuckling over all of my applications) who set me up with an interview. The rest is history... :w00t:

Yuck. I don't even like wiping my own butt, let alone someone else's. Still, while I don't quite share your excitement about the issue, I try to treat my patients like I would want my parents to be treated if it was one of them in that bed, so when it happens, I put a smile on my face and take care of business. That's why we do what we do - because we care about people and want to help them.

I am in the exact same boat! I just passed the NCLEX on the 8th and started my new job on the 13th (orientation type stuff for the first week). On Tues (2/21) I start on nights in the tele unit. I'm mostly worried about learning to sleep during the day. I have light-proofed my bedroom and figure once I get tired enough, I'll be able to sleep during the day. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted!