Nightingallow

I like the original logo mostly because I do not like how the bubble seperates the all/nurses. I feel the current logo reads as a quick allnurses and the seperation makes it sound divided...all/nurses. It almost reads as if it's a different site. THe original one sounds more unifying. Not sure if this makes sense.

Ha ha ha ha!!!...or maybe it's like this...do you concur? [video=youtube_share;i5j1wWY-qus]

Where are you located KelRN215 is you don't mind me asking? Perhaps our locations and situations are different... I live in NY. There are jobs for experienced nurses. New grads frequently fly the coop often, once they get the one year experience. I personally know new grads who have been part of unpaying externships & believe it or not, these spots are very competitive. Also I volunteer at a hospital so I witness firsthand of people competiting to become one. Actually I spoke to "someone" with influence & it's possible. I never said the new grads were hired. Again the situation in NY may be unique? It's pay to play unfortunately. I know the volunteers at the hospital I'm at needs at least 50hrs before they can even step into the emergency room to make a bed. The volunteers weed themselves out! They complain how it's boring filling up water pitchers for patients and putting together charts for admission. The remaining volunteers are dedicated. Why take only 4-8 patients?? We can't step on the existing nurses feet. So there needs to be some kind of protection but how? Let's brainstorm this! I'll explain further....If more patients were taken from the existing staff, I'm sure hospitals might use this program as a way to let go of them. The nurses who are there should have some sort of protection from this occuring. This program should be used as a way to lower the patient nurse ratio while new grads could get some hands on experience, not an excuse to let go of nurses. As you probably know, the federal government does have existing training programs in other industries. In fact they currently give grants that will pay for HHAs to get their certificates. I'm currently taking advantage of a federally funded program that helps with job placement and classes learning on how to interview. The federal government wants people to work, they don't want people on public assistance, they want people to pay into SS, they like people working so they get taxes from people. FDR believed in "pump-priming" or federal spending to stimulate the economy, (stagnant water doesn't get around). When people work, they can (hopefully) afford health insurance, and get the yearly exam, & stop unnessessary ER visits for non emergency visits because $120 is too much to pay (people mock this, but when the shoe is on the other foot, things change). When people no longer work, many become sedentary, their diets depend on whatever is on sale, or whatever is most filling (white potatoes, white rice & beans, fruit drinks instead of juice...the formula on how to bring on diabetes, which is my current diet btw, it's unhealthy but when your stomach is empty it works well). I'm really sorry to hear this. I feel this will truly harm patients not help them. I had the opportunity as a volunteer to see how different floors were ran and organized, and found a positive coorilation between the patient/nurse ratio and patient satisfaction levels. Another "important someone" approached me because he/she recognized my strong ability to connect with patients and staff members. He/she asked me what one should be done to increase patient satisfaction especially since I had such a profound effect on patients morales. That's another thread Also there are hospitals that receive grants for pilot programs. Come to think of it, one is very similar to the one I'm discussing except it's not nursing. And come to think of it, people do weed themselves out, & they do not get a salary, just for an intern/externship. No one steps on anyones feet, in fact, the nurses look forward to seeing these people. (sorry for the obscurity, it's an identifiable program) As for precepting, I believe the preceptor should not have a patient load on top of the 4-8 ones they have. This may be the main reason people do not want to do persue this...It's two jobs in one. This is a big mistake hospitals make and should be avoided at all costs. The outcome of seperating the two will be better trained nurses and less burnout. Personally I enjoy training other volunteers (yes, I do know that it's not a comparison to nursing) and feel someone has to really want to do it. But then again, I enjoy talking to people (and nursing) most want to strangle. I'm odd like that. Staff nurses love me for this reason, and on several attempts asked their managers to hire me to no cigar...two crappy nurses, yes crappy, nasty nurses were hired instead. I would love to figure out what's eating them. I believe there are better ways and I am actively looking for advice and suggestions from many sources. It's interesting to note that in person, people are more open to this plan. Possibly because the hospital's openess to trying new things, or possibly because they see me walk the talk, & know I have the best of intentions. Internet is so impersonal I must say. I feel I'm on to something, but it needs lots of tweaking. I have to sleep on this. It will come to me. And I stand by my last statement that constructive critism is welcome. Thanks everyone, it really does help.

So here's the recap... The original posting by jreynrn was about how she helped out a new nurse who had no support from other staff members. She was discussing her concerns of how other nurses were bullying the new nurse, or made the envirionment very unfavorable for her to ask questions. Many responses went on to congradulating jreynrn for reaching out to the new nurse. The next postings were of others trying to understand the nature as to why nurses this may happen. The irony of this thread is that it is starting to demonstrate what should not be done. There are some really good comments in the beginning of this thread that I feel is worth reading.

You probably handled better than I would have. I would've prob have done something clownish or have done some Jim Carrey antic and my story would end up in another AN forum under "who's the weirdest interviewee you ever interviewed" Something on the line of "good thing we're not on a boat." If this was the break room, I would prob have proceeded to sail it. So kudos for not doing the above. It could've been worse.

Perhaps if new nurses "naitivitee" (I'm a semi-new grad btw) could be looked at as a reminder of why most nurses chose this helping position. When I was 7 years old I remember asking my mom about a homeless man "Why is man sleeping on the floor?" mom:"well he doesn't have a home and a bed...(and the whole explanation)" As I got older I understand that there is so much more than to this than my 7y.o. brain could ever understand. Now I'm older and "wiser" & had the same conversation with my young nephew. He reminded me of how much I wished everyone could have a home, food, and a nice family. Few months ago I saw a lady prob in her late 50s, well groomed, and in a respectful flower dress, slumped over, sitting on the floor outside the train station. The friend I was with was angry because he wanted to go on the train and had no time. I went over to see if she's breathing, and she was...My friend told me how she's "just a drunk, don't go near her"...I assessed her to my best from afar. She did have a bottle, she wasn't your typical "drunk"...something must have happened to her sometime in her past. I felt as powerless as when I was 7...I spoke to her from a far and basically she was "ok" because she sitting leaning forward so she wasn't going to choke on her vomit. Later that week, I saw the same lady walking, she smiled, and came over to me (sober btw), and told me what a nice dress I have (she's the only one who complimented me) and when I thanked her she gave me a strange look and told me "You have such a familar voice, it's so nice...you seem like such a nice young lady" Thanked her and told her to have a good day. Very rare conversation in NYC btw. Sorry for such a long story but jreynrn reminded me of the value of new faces, and how they remind us of how we used to think and how important we keep that feeling in our heart. I hope everyone is inspired by her observations and will always keep this in your minds. Maybe it's too painful for people to remember a time when they were younger, more sensitive, and powerless. Thank you for sharing this story. It hit a nerve.

Volunteer yes, expect a job no. I'm volunteering at a hospital in NYC almost a year. Was told from various places it was not considered experience. You'll gain experience talking to patients and making beds. Otherwise it's usually nothing hands on cause you're not covered under the hospitals' insurance.

Ok let me give this a try... "Not trying to burst your bubble, but a hospital would NEVER go for a program where they pay one nurse a high salary to teach 10 new grads and, together, the ELEVEN nurses (who are all being paid a nurse's salary) take care of 4-8 patients. That's less than one patient per nurse. Not financially sound in the hospital's eyes". Correct! But...the nurse preceptor would be saving money that would have normally of been lost on that new grad who flies the coop after a year. I never said anything about a good salary for the new grads. Sorry to be a scumbbag new grads, but we have to get experience somehow....I mean it's only 4-8 patients between 11. Less than one patient per nurse...Exactly...when I was in clinical you saw who was serious...on the first week of clinicals all students wanted to work...next few weeks they had no problem giving their responsibilities to the non lazy students. Weed them out!!! At the end you will have the best of the pack. "Also, it wouldn't necessarily lighten the other nurses' load because they would just staff down. If you have a floor with 30 beds and 8 patients are being taken care of by a group of new grads, they'll staff the rest of the floor for 22 patients so every nurse will have a full assignment. In my experience, with multiple people precepting on the same shift... my load was always busier." Why take only 4-8 patients?? We can't step on the existing nurses feet. So there needs to be some kind of protection but how? Let's brainstorm this! "Also, how would the money come from the cuts the hospital receives from decreased patient satisfaction ratings? If the hospital loses money, they don't have that money anymore and it can't be used to pilot programs". It will be federal funded. They took the money away with the purpose to punish hospitals (ridiculous of course) and reward the best hospitals (the rewarded was a very small % btw in NY, so where did that money go?). If we come up with a reasonable plan, hopefully with everyones help here, it could be presented to a nurse's organization for review. "I just think, until the economy turns around, hospitals aren't going to be jumping into new programs... especially not when they're not desperate for nurses." There has to be some. We just have to look. And I'm pretty sure they'd like to gain back that extra few million that was lost from the patient satisfaction scores. "My old hospital couldn't have cared less that in the last year and a half, they lost FIFTEEN nurses... out of a staff of about 45. That's 1/3 of the staff. They haven't replaced even half of us and the ones that they did replace were replaced with new grads (cheaper). They did nothing to try to retain those of us who were considering leaving because they knew that, in this economy, for every nurse who left, 10 more were waiting for her job." This is the crappy reality of it all. I want us to figure out a way to prevent this. I personally want to learn from experienced nurses, their knowledge is so much and I do not want them replaced. They are unreplaceable. This is why I want us to all stop mud slinging, and when we all realize that we need each other maybe it will stop. (ie...new nurses pay into s.s. and not live off of public benefits, experienced nurses share life long knowledge) Maybe the preceptors could get a commision off of having a really well trained crew.... I truly thank you KelRN215! It's not bursting my bubble at all. This is our drawing table. Anyone please share ideas and concerns...(cept the mudslinging)

Good for you plumbtrician! I applaud your honesty and your humility. It's good you took the initiative to travel outside your safety zone. I would love if this thread displayed all of our talents so that we could make peace with each other. If you think about it, we are competting against each other to take care of other people! This shows you what kind of people us nurses are. "I want to help" "No I want to help" I personally hate mud slinging... I wish there was a way to have new grads and want to be retires but can't afford to retire come up with a solution that is very beneficial to all of us. I dunno, something like having the experienced nurse as the official hospital nurse perceptor, whose job is to teach 10 externs and not have the insane other responsibilities on top of this, and have a great salary on top of this hopefully (it's the least that can be done, because this program could save the hospital money down the line from bad apple investments). Maybe the $ could come from the cuts that the hospitals received from decreased patient satisfaction ratings. This could be a pilot program, maybe 4 to 8 patients per 10 externs. The other patients are the other staffs responsibility (they will be helped out because they will each have 2-4 less patients, and we have to figure out how to protect these nurses from getting the boot too!). At the end of the program, she/he could let go the whiny new grads who wear heels to clinical and replace them with the other ones waiting. Of course there will be a lot of competition.. maybe this might be a horrible idea because the unassertive students may be great nurses but not competitive..also a lot of room for abuse....Help me out here. This is a brainstorm.

Thank you for understanding!!! I wish more people could understand this. I wish there were more people who had eyesight that went further than the wall in front of them. When I say people I mean in general. You are a perfect example of what a nurse should represent!

Out of seriousness, I applied for housekeeping. Luckily or unluckily I got the flu so couldn't get to the hospital to followup. Nothing wrong with being a janitor if you are very fit and have lungs of steel, my boyfriend used to be one, but got very sick from it. Only thing is that I honestly don't believe it will lead to a rn position. It's possible but jobs are competitive inhouse as well. This is from my experience btw in NY but there might other experiences elsewhere.

You have not had it easy. It is brave of you to share your story. One day I will share mine, but as of now I feel it will only crush my toe in the door. Thank you LadyFree28 for starting this thread. Congrads on the new job and best of all for you, babies aren't heavy!

Ok this is a repost from another thread but here it goes... www.peacecorps.gov looks very good, that is if you are able to commit to 27 months, and can pass the physical. if you happen to have $2000+ lying around, (yeah I know, who does?) there is an admirable program www.islonline.org . It's a program where you have some hands on experience in other countries doing honorable things in 1-2 week sessions. If you can't afford it, but are blessed with a family, you can ask your 12 uncles, aunts, parents, grandparents combined to contribute, they also have fundraising options. If you know someone who wants to be a doctor but can't afford it (again who can?) www.citydoctors.com The deadline has already passed but there is a contact email, can contact the program to see if and when it will be active again. Best of luck new grads. We need all the help we can get.

This thread does have a lot of gems in it from all points of views. Yes, lets create a new thread for ideas! LadyFree28 would you do the honors in creating the name for the thread? I've already angered too many people with my petition wording . I honestly made it with the best intentions to help everyone in this bind. Yeah yeah, intentions smintentions...that and $2.25 will get me on the train.

Sorry for so many posts! But I wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I was running out of ideas. LadyFree28 suggested the peacecorp Peace Corps and for any new grads out there this looks like a really good deal (notice it's a govt. funded program) although the health criterias are strict (i.e. no asthma, allergies, HTN, and prob something everyone in the US has) and the commitment is so long, 27 months, I think it's an excellent idea. If any new grad has cash (ha ha ha ha ha) there is an organization ISL Online where you can pay for short volunteer trips out of the country for experience. If anyone knows of someone looking to become a doctor, there is a "hand out" progam that is government funded at Welcome to CityDoctors (your welcome :) ) This looks like a wonderful opportunity and they are willing to give $150,000 scholarships as long as you commit to working in NYC. A promise of a job? Sounds good to me. Unfortunately I love nursing too much. The only thing I don't like is that it sounds like the propaganda I fell for with the exception of it being the prediction of a doctor shortage...also the deadlines are from 2012, but there is a contact you can email. I'll keep you posted on any other goodies I find.

My neighboring states wants you to have the license first. Which should I get, Conneticut or NJ? NJ as a side note still has a curfew from the hurricane. I've joined agencies that are helping me look for work. They helped me prepare for interviews and applauded my efforts in reaching out to the federal government for help. What I don't understand is why people believe that asking our government for help in training is a hand out? (I didn't say GIVE ME A JOB). My late father used to intiate these programs all the time at the department of labor. Maybe that's my next step. The reason I didn't ask the local government because my city is in shambles. I'm telling you first hand and as a volunteer in the ER, it is so sad here. Several of our hospitals closed, nurses relocated. If you go to look for a job in Long Island you find nurses resumes posted instead. Please cut out the hand out bs. I'm asking to have help getting an externship, or apprenticeship, just to get hands on experience... I know I'm a damn good nurse, new grad or not and I feel the medical field is at a big loss for not having me, entitlement, yes, very (and I feel sorry for any human being who doesn't know their worth). Willing to fight, you damn bet, and you know something, I stopped a nurse from hitting a patient, I didn't look away. I've held the hand of a patient that no one wanted to go near while the staff warned me that she'll hurt me. Poor lady cried afterwards. One patient would constantly cry, and few minutes with me we were singing Hello Dolly, and oh what a beautiful morning. He got OOB, we did a small dance to 42nd st. and he went to the bathroom (staff "he got up?" yes, "he went to the bathroom? In the toliet?" yes, he can do that)...maybe it's just a matter of time, hopefully get an interview this year.

Advice on finding jobs out of state NY for non-driver (I have a disability if you have to know so please spare the lip on not being able to drive)...and broke. Should I apply for licenses (besides the one I have in NY) in several states? Which one is the best "gamble". I'm already broke, might as well go big, hitchhike and what ever since it's so easy to get a job outside... Also I'm starting to get the BSN at instate cost (2nd bachelors btw) and had no financial aid for Associates...All this critism, but most of you are not in my shoes right now. If you were in my situtation, as many grads are, in this economy, myself with no family, what would you do? Who would you turn to? As crazy as it sounds, I asked the President, why, because I don't know who else to turn to. Again, which other state license would you recommend I put on my credit card?

"Those who burn books will eventually burn people" - Heinrich Heine

Why did I start this petition in the first place? Because I was tired of feeling powerless. I was told by people to search outside Brooklyn (I have so, all the way down to Puerto Rico), get more certifications, volunteer even more than I do, learn spanish, learn russian, smile but not too much, go here, go there, stand up, sit down, walk don't run, run don't walk...yes, yes it's all about paying dues...that's a crock of bolony...I see highschool students allowed to do more in the emergency room than I am allowed because a family member works there. Did I ever believe it will make it to 25,000 signatures? Truthfully, no. My intent was more of a messege to new grads to not feel demonized...I read so many posts from new grads and I feel for them. So many of us...The petition was mainly to help new grads...the other parts were suggestions. The fact is that most of us are out of work, taking tax payers money (like it or not), not paying into social security, and have few people to help us out. This problem will not go away with smart antics. I would tell anyone or everyone to start their own petition for their cause, even one as crude as mine. Out of all seriousness..with only good intentions...lets make a better plan...and it can't start out with "new grads shouldn't of gone to nursing school" blah blah blah...or petition schools, the president, the system... Let's ADPIE this issue! I'm asking for your help... Assessment-

This strain in NY is bad. It started as a mild cough and the other wonderful symptoms come from out of nowhere. I felt like going to the hospital yesterday but I hung on. If I knew I would have gotten the flu vaccine for this 2nd strain.

Please write a better plan...maybe it will work?

I've always made sure not to throw stones in glass houses. Nov 6, '11 by [COLOR=#003366]Orange Tree Nov 6, '11 by [COLOR=#003366]Orange Tree A member since Dec '08 - from 'Texas'. Posts: 667 Likes: 1,813 Awards: I was offered a full time position a few days after I started looking. And I feel very fortunate to live in the area that I do (even though it's in Texas).

So if our training program schools are adequate, why aren't we given a chance? Why have costly orientation in the first place? Why is my taking care of my ill family members not considered real world experience? Why is volunteering in a hospital for a year not considered real experience? Why is it that my other bachelors means beans? If real world experience vs. book knowledge is essential, why push the BSN and have nurses that haven't prime a bag in two years? Perhaps you all have came across some really horrible, entitled new grads, but... The new grads I know, are willing to drive 2 hours each way for any 12 hour shift. Have excelled in other industries, and are aware of what working means. We have taken care of family members, children, parents alike. Some have endured serious conditions and disabilities so we had to learn by nursing ourselves. We are not all 20 years old. (Although they deserve a chance too!) Please do not assume eveyone is the same. I've always been an advocate of everyone having their own strengths. The new grad may be akward, slow, and nervous. But still cringes when a patient is screaming and wants to do eveything to make the patient comfortable. I was once told by a PT that changing feces spotted linens was not a priority for a cancer patient. It might not be the first priority, but my inexperienced brain believed that cleansiness for the immunocompromised patient is very important. I also believe our inexperience makes our beliefs closer to that of the patients. Again, thanks for all the feedback on the petition. If only we could use all this energy & knowledge to teach new grads the way things are.

Was ist nuts?? My late father innitiated a government program that helped disabled veterans learn skills to help them re-enter the job market. They were taught computer skills as well as Spanish as a second language for starters. He fought for veteran's rights and was successful doing so. He also helped out former IVDU enter the workforce. I've seen ideas first hand become reality... The petition I drafted is far from perfect. It only gave suggestions. I asked that our President help come up with a plan. I'm pretty sure it's our country's best interest that new nurses are hired. New nurses hired=less on public assistance=more paying into social security...and of course, gaining experience now instead of the last minute...I am very glad that this subject is getting the attention it deserves. Let's continue to brainstorm and help each other grow... As an interesting sidenote...I just learned that one of Harriet Tubman's jobs in PA was a nurse. I was aware Walt Whitman was a volunteer nurse in what is now a community hospital on Kingshighway Brooklyn, but I never knew that about Harriet Tubman...Which makes me ask...is it really only education that makes a great nurse?