huffmans98

I live near Indy, and there are many opportunities in that area. Clarian (IU, Methodist, Riley for Children) offer programs and bonuses for new grads. They also are "MAGNET" status hospitals which focus more on nursing. There's several other hospitals in that area. Indy is a beautiful town and sure you'll like it if you choose that location. Good luck!

CNA's do vital signs, baths, assist with meals, bathroom needs, ADL's, turns. The differences I would say would be working with post surgery patients...which could range from a gallbladder to a total hip replacement. Med/surg has a wide variety of patients and it just takes time to learn to care for each patient...young and old.

I also am in nursing school and have worked as a tech on a med/surg unit for 4 years. There is a majority of nurses that will be sitting right next to the call light system and will not answer it. It's as if they don't hear it. I will be busy on the floor and hear it, then finally I will go to the nurses station and there will be 3 nurses sitting there. That is so annoying! I don't know about all these other techs that everyone else is talking about, but I know when I'm working, I stay nonstop most of my time. And not just doing aide work, but also doing the nurses work...inserting catheters, NG's, drawing labs, entering physician orders, dressing changes, and so on...which is not under the responsibilites of a tech. This whole topic just disturbs me because I witness it everyday.

It is impossible for the CNA's to assist every patient every time with what you call "aide work". If nurses are not willing to help, I would have a bad attitude too. I can't stand when nurses feel they don't have to do anything that an aide can do. Work as a team, and everyone should get along fine.

Bonus shifts are available all the time because of shortages at the hospital I'm at. As a student nurse extern, bonus means an automatic $25 for every 4 hrs picked up. LPN's and RN's get $50 for every 4 hrs worked. It's a nice incentive for picking up extra hours.

Nursing is responsible for putting up trapezes in the hospital I work at. It may be 3 days post-op before we get a chance, but I have never seen PT do it. We carry all the equipment on our floor, so it just takes the time to actually do it. It's a shame, b/c pt's really can benefit from them. Good luck!

I just had CPR recert last week. That was a question I had missed on my test. According to AHA, you are supposed to perform CPR for 1 min, then defib, even if an AED is available. I did not agree with it either.

You may need to take a refresher course anyway. I know a nurse that was out for 5 years, but kept her license renewed. She was recommended by a hospital she had applied at to take a refresher course and to come back. With all the changes happening frequently in nursing, it might be a good idea anyhow? Good luck!

I take Xanax prn also, but I started that before I even started nursing school, but thank god I did, or I would never make it!! I suffer from panic attacks, and school definately will trigger them. I always thought I wouldn't need them once I graduated and less stress in my life, but I'm sure I will be on them forever!

My work calls on an average of 2-3 times a week because of short staff. They will call my home phone, leave a message, and then always call my cell, and leave another message. They know, if I don't answer, I'm not interested in coming in. You need to either answer it the first time and decline to work, or specifically tell your supervisor that 1 call is sufficient, and if your interested, you will return the call.

I work with a lady that almost quit due to a families complaints. We all tried to explain to her that anywhere you go, your gonna have problems such as these. Families can be so inconsiderate when it comes to their loved ones, and they don't seem to understand anyone elses feelings but their own. All you can do is try to comfort them, and if needed, trade assignments with another nurse. Sometimes new faces can calm families down. Good luck

I currently work in a hospital in Indiana, and it seems it's the other way around. They don't even hire in ER, OR, OB, etc. unless you are registered. I currently attend school now for my Associate degree as a registered nurse. LPN's are definately used more in nursing homes if your looking for that type of future.