softrbreeze

I believe my company gives out "points." After you've saved up enough points, you can use them to purchase something from a catalog. Of course you need an ungodly amount of points to do so LOL

It was 200 applicants for 50 slots at my GA university. Pretty sure competition is stiff everywhere.

Now that I'm getting up in years, I'm finding myself more interested in artistic self-expression. I'd hate to be in my 70's before I'm finally allowed to dye my hair pink! I finally got a facial piercing and am considering getting a tattoo. My employer hasn't said anything about my nose stud, thank God, even though it is against company policy. Unnatural hair colors are also against company policy but I've had a dark blue streak in my hair for several months to match my uniform and have only gotten compliments on it from staff and patients so far. I do hope the dress code relaxes somewhat, although I'd be the first to tell you I would not want to see extreme body modification in nurse scrubs (black sclera, full facial tattoos, implanted vampire teeth/horns, etc)

You might consider a state mental hospital or psychiatric unit as a mental health tech. While there will be both men and women there, you will not be doing things like assisting with bathing, dressing, toileting, etc. (with possibly a rare exception).

^^^What Kooky said! Find another job and skedaddle outta there pronto- THEN report what a horrible experience you had there to the higher ups and why. The toxic working conditions there will eventually lead to a patient getting hurt and you do not want to be there when that happens! I have a feeling their little clique will circle wagons when that happens and leave someone innocent to take the blame.

Oh, how cute! Thanks for sharing!

Is there no video that can be accessed to back up your story? (Of the resident BRINGING the propofol, I mean).

"My bf says you don't have to love what you are doing and at times you'll be unhappy but don't be a quitter. He makes me feel like crap that I am throwing away an opportunity with 2 years left." If my husband had had his way, I never would have went back to college to finish my first degree, much less my 2nd degree, and would be working at Frito Lay on their production line making $15/hr. I'm making way more than that now and, don't you know, he appreciates that I did! Ultimately, you have to do what is right for YOU. Your bf MAY be there with you for the long haul, but you will definitely be there for the long haul. There are plenty of helping professions. It doesn't have to be nursing. I fully enjoy my job most days but sometimes I wish I had gone into dentistry or physical rehabilitation instead. Presumably, you have decades ahead of you to cherish or regret your career. Just remember, YOUR ultimate happiness is what's important.

I use it irregularly. I actually got my last job through a recruiter who contacted me on my LinkedIn profile.

Run! I couldn't get out of that situation fast enough! How on Earth did you do that for 2 years?

FYI there are a ton of travel nurse groups on Facebook. Try Psychiatric Travel Nurse, Travel Nursing: The Premium Job Board, and the Travel Nurse Network- the Gypsy Nurse to start you off. Lots of info available! There's also search bars so you can pull up past comments about various companies. Beware, they are full of recruiters too!

Nashville Jeanne, so very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the crushing pain. Your memorial for your son is beautiful.

If you need a break, TAKE one. Caring for manipulative patients IS draining. There's no shame in leaving and coming back when you are recharged or, hell, not coming back at all. Take a breather! There's plenty of other nursing specialties that are hiring.

My first job out of nursing school, I encountered a similar situation. I just didn't fit in with the culture of the unit. In fact, while they were undeniably good nurses, their personalities were awful. They suggested I leave willingly, which I had planned to do anyway, but I wanted to know what their reasons were- their response? Ridiculous things like I called for some fast food to be delivered without asking if they wanted any (I actually did try to hunt them down to see if they wanted to order also but they were off unit), I didn't get up to check out an alarm once (No one did and I had not been told it was my sole duty, which it wasn't), etc. My point is that if it's not a good fit, just be glad you got out before you wasted too much time and energy trying to please people that can't be pleased. You do not need to let a potential employer know about it at all. Just keep marketing yourself to the best of your ability. You will eventually find your niche.

Okay, old thread, I know but I have to put in my 2 cents. As a born introvert with borderline social anxiety disorder (diagnosed), I would have to recommend something like home hospice or home health nursing, preferably with a small company. You have lots of "down" time between patients, get to stop and have an actual lunch break most of the time, plus there's lots of documentation (more solitary work). I did that for more than a decade before I grew weary of it. I'm currently working in a psychiatric hospital with people who are mostly there because they are "not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity" and those deemed incompetent to stand trial. I spend most of my time documenting behind a locked door with plenty of down time to do whatever I want. Seriously, the easiest nursing job I've ever had. We are not expected to hold groups/chat with the clients; that is a task relegated to the team of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, etc. The LPNs pass out meds. I'm sure different hospitals do this differently but it's always worth looking into, if you're still trying to find your ideal placement. I've also considered WOCN training and may yet still do that when I get weary of this current job.

Bless her heart, she clearly has no idea what your job actually is LOL

Not a travel nurse yet but I've been stalking the travel nurse groups on Facebook for a while. As I understand it, travel agencies usually require at least 1-2 years of experience before placing someone at one of their contracted facilities. If you have a Facebook account, you should join several groups and haunt their pages until you get a good understanding.

I think they are pretty interchangeable. Most people in a forensics facility have at least one psychiatric diagnosis as well as a history of criminal activity and/or substance abuse.

I know exactly what you mean and it annoys me to no end. I can't stand people that think they have the right to talk down to you because they make more money or are higher on the ladder. Everyone's job is necessary and it is important we all work together, each recognizing that we are simply a cog in the wheel. Not to say there isn't a chain of command but that chain is there to serve a purpose, not give someone free rein to act like an ass. It could also be a clique-thing. You may need to job hop a bit to find one you feel at ease with. Find your niche and purpose and you will feel more at ease with your job.

Being a new nurse IS very unsettling. Please don't feel like you're alone! It could be you need a different specialty. I personally have never felt comfortable giving meds so I have gravitated toward jobs where that is basically not an issue. Home hospice/health, for instance. There is a PCG in those situations that administer meds or else the pt does that him/herself. I worked in home hospice for 11 years and rarely had to give medications. You might also want to consider WOCN, forensic nursing, or case management.

Have you tried applying at a forensic hospital? Or contacting nursing agencies to help you? I recently just started a FT position at a nearby forensic hospital through an agency.

Good grief, how ridiculous! These managers with such tender feelings need to get over themselves!

I can't speak for that particular nurse but I treasure the little "love notes" I've received over the years and hold on to them in an effort to remember those special patients and their families. I think that a note is completely appropriate.

AMEN!!!