nrsjo

You should take a position in your area of interest. If NICU is what turns you on, than that is where you should go. I don't think spending a year on a med-surg unit is going to make you a better NICU nurse.

I think it's amazing how many people are willing to just run with the "live and let live" philososophy here. It may be why we have so many problems in nursing..........because no one wants to get involved. It's not gossip when someone is doing som...

Seems a bit harsh just because a family was upset. Did they give you the details of the complaint? I agree though, I would contact a labor attorney to find out what your rights are.

Yep, been there. It's a policy where I work that any monitored patient on a cardiac drip needs a nurse to travel with. It's really was bad when they need a stress test- you can be gone for hours. The policy is due to change to every monitored pati...

Elkpark, I agree- this is a position that a seasoned, experienced RN could fulfill. It is exactly that experience which makes someone a good role model, charge nurse, preceptor, etc. An MSN is supposed to enhance that that and help you build on exi...

I work with folks who have their CNL degree. To me, you have to be really, really careful about what YOUR facility is going to use this level of education for. What I have seen, is that you are an MSN working at the bedside, with no leadership or d...

I need a picture...........

I wouldn't be too worried about the it being only a month. Vetpro slows the hiring process down quite a bit. I would stay in contact with the manager who offered the position to you so they can be sure that you are still interested in the position....

I live in Memphis. I agree, it's not the place to raise a family.

How hard of a transition do you think it might be to move from an adult ICU to a PICU? I'd really like to work with kids, but never have- or would it just be an impossible hurdle.....Thanks.

Thanks for all the info. I know it would be a learning curve, but I'm willing to do the work.

I don't know that anyone would refuse to show good bedside manners to a patient or their family. The issue I have with customer service is that it has taken priority over patient care. It's more important that the nurse learn the cute, robotic phra...

Thanks for the vics suggestion. I deal with anything unless it smells.

I never understood why the whole hospital experience suddenly became something you should enjoy as much as a trip to Disney World. You're there to get well, not be entertained. I understand that we want to know about really bad experiences in our de...

I wouldn't discuss it in the interview, but when an offer is extended. If it's a position you want, I would say, "yes, but I have a pre-arranged vacation on such and such a date.......would this be a problem?" Most managers will agree as long as th...

We use med-rec forms that are computer generated based on what meds the patient states they take at home. However, as is par with our computer system, it is not a perfect system. Nursing not only has to get the docs to sign it, but then has to reme...

Try contacting the Illinois department of labor, they might be able to tell you what rights you have as an employee.

I would pretty much second that response. It is a rough working environment, but you would certainly learn a lot. My biggest gripe in having worked there is the lack of nursing leadership from the top, but that seems to be a problem throughout Memp...

I wouldn't mind the cows so much if we had a nurse-friendly charting system. But, with the 60-some forms, duplication, and downtime that occurs on weekly, unscheduled basis it's not possible to use a cow in a patient room. With all that, I sure don...

Does anyone have any experience working in the VA system? I am thinking of making a change, and want to know the good, the bad and the ugly of working in a government run facility. Thanks...

Thanks for the information. I did figure it would be very rules oriented, and they would expect policy and procedure to be followed. But to be honest, after this many years in other facilities I've not worked anywhere where my opinion counts for an...

I have two hounds, and I work 8 hour shifts. I walk them at 4:15 am and wear them out. They have pee'd on everything by then, gotten some exercise and sleep all day. But, if I had to work 12 hours I would get a pet sitter to let them out.

Are you working for tips now? That's really insulting...

Our nursing administrators come out to the units about once/year to visit the staff and see how things are. They high tail it out of there the first time someone dares to ask a difficult question or tell an unhappy tale. You can't lead from your d...

I just went through an acute care survey with the state. That was bad enough. But not nearly as bad as all the tail chasing, and confusing new paperwork and insane policies that upper division management comes up with to keep the ship from sinking....