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 something unethical. We all remember ethics right? If you have your boyfriend transfered into the clinic where you work, that should pose an ethical dilemma from the standpoint that you have access to his records. Someone needs to question that. If you transfer your boyfriend into the clinic where you work, and he has a substance abuse problem, and you have access to substances, that's a huge red flag. And really, if a coworker told me their current squeeze was a former patient, and an addict, and she'd love for him to be where I work everyday.......well, I'd be talking to someone about that real darn quick. It's not gossip, it's because you apparently have a serious lack of boundaries, and some potential for poor decision making. I worked hard for my license. I don't want to be responsible for anyone else's screw up's. And if I think there is a potential for your behavior to cause an unnecessary visit by the state, or JC, believe me, I will sing with all the information that YOU have given me. It's not gossip when you are reporting potential safety issues, or workplace issues. Remember, this woman was more than happy to share the particulars of her personal life. She could have kept her mouth shut, and no one would have been the wiser. She should have no expectation of privacy

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 patient. Remote tele only reaches to the end of our unit, and transporters are not trained to read monitors. No one wants a patient with a cardiac history to die in transport or in the CT/MRI machine. I understand the the rationale, but at the same time, trying to get a flex-up in staffing to justify it hasn't worked.

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 existing knowledge, not be a substitute for it. As for programs which take 2nd degree students and give them an MSN which slaps on the "leader" title, I wish them well. The point was made earlier, that respect is earned, and even a well seasoned RN coming into the role finds that out. An MSN with no clinical experience is going to have a rough time.

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 decision making power. You are not treated as someone who is supposed to be facilitating patient outcomes and mentoring people. Nor are you treating as a management person. So............what's the point? Maybe others are having a better experience in other parts of the country with it.

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. Sometimes they can find out where you are in the system, and how much longer it will be before you can get on board. It takes anywhere from 8-12 weeks (depending on the VA) to get in the door. It's the government, and there are a lot of security checks. I know it's long, but it is worth it once you're there.

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

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

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.

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 phrases, than know what is current in the literature and how to provide good nursing care. People have become so used to fast service in every aspect of their life, they also expect it when they come into the hospital. They no longer understand if their procedure gets pushed back a couple of hours because their doc has an emergency. Or, they feel it's ok to move four of their family members into the hospital with them, and demand free food and drink for all, and become angry when you say no. They also do not understand if the nurse has an emergency with another patient and can't get to them as quick as they want- everyone has become very egocentric, and it doesn't matter if you explain you had an emergency. My favorite is when they let their kids run loose around the nurses station, screaming, and playing with the elevators. If you ask them to please corral their kids, and explain they could get hurt, you get the evil eyeball. It's not that nurses don't want to provide customer service. But the public has to understand that they are here for medical care. I am here to take care of the patient first, the family second. Educating them about what we can and cannot provide does not always work, because when the satisfaction scores drop, everyone wants to know why. I can't help it if the the public has forgotten what the hospital is for.

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 department, but generally you know that without a survey. All we've done is encourage the patient, spouse and friends to move in and demand fast food service with the snap of a finger. I couldn't care less about the survey........administration has created the problem.

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 they know on the front end of the hiring process.

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 remember to fax it to pharmacy or the patient will not get any of their medicines. It really shouldn't be this hard.....

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 Memphis.

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't want people interrupting me with cell phone calls all day long.

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 anything. Administrators live in a fantasy world of healthcare, so if I can be someplace more interesting I welcome it.

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...

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 desk with email and memos. You actually have to remember where you came from in order to do a good job. But once they put on that suit, they forget they were ever nurses.

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. I do not know how some of those folks get their jobs.