Rachel85

Be proactive/hands-on to the best of your ability. Just because you're in a specialized unit doesn't mean the nurses there don't need assistance with other issues, no matter how minor (IV, foley, NGT insertions, bs errands etc) If you make yourself as useful as possible in addition to asking questions, etc. then that's the best your could give your preceptor. I find that a lot of my students like to watch, or only assist during patient pull-ups/turns. Good luck in your unit. That's actually the same unit I did my capstone in years ago. Looking back I should've been more hands-on! :)

Thanks HouTX, I saw that they offer that on Glassdoor, and was hoping there was something similar to that for nurses, but alas no. It was a long shot, but either way something will be done! haha. The problem is that for nurses, pay is also dependent on department, i.e. certain specialties get paid more than others, especially in specific states, so that would take an enormous amount of participation on the part of nurses in order to make something like that feasible. Perhaps I have a lack of confidence in my fellow nurses.

Well, they may have one, but its not used properly. The manager tends to hire and salary nurses based on personal preference. And funny you should say that we all just voted out the unions recently. Also, when asked personally about raises the manager will say things like "if I give you a raise I have to give everyone else a raise..blah blah". Additionally when the unions were here they posted a list of years of experience and salary next to it without posting names and it was very telling of the hiring practices. There were huge gaps in nurses salaries even when they had the same experience level. Lastly, while the unions were here the hospital refused to give a cost of living raise because the unions were in "negotiations"..yeah right. So now that they're gone, its not like asking for money will come out of the blue. Its been requested by multiple staff members for years. But I really just would like to see an example of a pay grid used in Texas if possible.

Dallas Area: UTA Baylor TWU Colin County Community College Tarrant County Community College Austin UT Austin Community College South Texas South Texas Community College UT Pan American I'm not familiar enough with Houston and San Antonio, and I'm sure I missed a few other colleges that offer programs in Dallas and Austin. Due to this economy I think you'll have a rough time getting in no matter where you apply. Good luck.

Well, it sucks but you could always do home health and get experience there then transfer out. Sorry the lady in HR was an idiot.

Perhaps go for your associates and then bridge through an online program. Its definitely cheaper that way, and there are many "good" universities that offer bridge programs now.

I agree with the bitter RNHal11. I'm currently switching from nursing to speech pathology due to his/her exact reason. They'll run you into the ground if they can get away with it and unfortunately since people are dying for work, they get away with it. My current place of work is understaffed, underpaid, etc. and there are no plans to improve the situation.

If you can believe it my hospital does not use a pay grid when hiring, i.e. 1 year experience=$23, 2-3 years=x$, etc. The staff was going to come forward and ask management to implement one due to...uneven hiring practices by the manager. Does anyone have access to one that they would be willing to share? The only one accessible online is the one for Veteran's Affairs, but I was thinking of finding one for say a regional hospital. Thanks