grad2012RN

I read that even pharmacy technicians and CNAs (they are not MAs), can give the vaccines in my state.

@TRAVEL.RN, Is there a set dollar percentage that the recruiter can take from contracts offered by a hospital? I ask this because I recently saw the exact same job at two different agencies, and one agency offered $420 more weekly salary. The stipends were the same. On a personal note, I was a traveler twice, pre-Covid rates, and I'm actually still paying off that debt. I stayed in cheap rentals, and spent less on food and gas. However, I was still paying rent in my home state. I met lots of wonderful nurses and other staff on those travel opportunities though!

Thanks for the advice. I've been giving flu shots and other immunizations for a few years, and just learned something new. Also, we get yearly training for flu clinics. I wonder if the pharmacists and firefighters that are administering vaccinations get this expert training?

Congrats, Yayyyy!

What is the correct thing to do when one hits the bone?

Hi Cwiema, Praying everything WILL work out for your favor!! Please don't be sad and remember that your dad and many others have been successful with a role change. You'll still get to help others and be of great service in your next position. Many hugs!!

Hey Kat, Many congrats to you and your sobriety! I'm someone who became a nurse at an older age and I've learned the HARD way that med-surg is not for some of us 40+ year olds.... unless you're a charge nurse. I used to think people with substance abuse problems, some in my family, were pathetic. Now, I'm ashamed to admit this, but, the thought recently crossed my mind of taking my patient(s) pain meds the last 2 out of 5 times I've been extremely stressed at work. I'm someone who doesn't even like to take ibuprofen. The pay is low, lifting the patients hard, some patients/families think you're their personal butler (ha-ha, just made myself smile), understaffing, possible age discrimination if a hospital doesn't want to "invest" in an older-new worker, etc... Frankly, I can't believe I've persevered this long. I would use that money to go into another health-related career or to do something different all together. Also, lucky for you living in Cali. Take a day at the beach and think it over. Best wishes!!

You may find a career opportunity, if you're interested, in Gerontology/Geriatrics/Older Adults. I worked in this area for two years and may return to it. It's a very fulfilling area of nursing for some! Best wishes to you and congrats on getting your NP!!

Nursing school led us to believe that our work day only consisted of assessments, giving meds, critical thinking, and superhero RN runs in during codes or some other incident. You may have thought those clinical rotation sites were fully staffed, they probably weren't. I used to write: "able to successfully care for nine patients" on my new grad resume". I thought I was doing everything for those nine clients, but, I actually didn't realize that wasn't true until my first real RN job. For example, I never did chart checks or med recs, during clinicals. HCA or not, this is part of the learning course/curve at all hospitals in my state, even the magnet facilities. At least I believe so. We have to do it all sometimes. The RN role includes being able to be part social worker, case management, MD, pharmacist, CNA, respiratory or physical therapist, lab tech, and yes, cleaning janitor. I hope you haven't quit yet. It gets better and you will see yourself improve. I'm not at the level of the gals/guys who have been LPNs/RNs for 8+ years, but, I'm a much better and confident RN. I'll take 6-8 patients any day over the 20+ that I've read, is expected in LTC/assisted living. Plus, you may want to definitely have another job before first. Those 300 jobs on job boards might not be hiring immediately. Nevertheless, I've heard that hospitals threaten, but, they don't actually go after anyone who doesn't repay, after being trained. [insert emoji for my being shady]

Don't take this the wrong way. But, I've never seen a CNA/PCA on my unit, not take a lunch break. As a matter of fact, almost all, routinely take an hour for lunch. If by chance I do get a break, there is a 95 % chance it will be interrupted and I won't have time for another. The CNA on the otherhand is never obligated to stop their break and take care of the patient or respond to phone calls. Some RNs too see CNAs laughing and playing, texting, watching TV on their phones, listening to music loudly, using computers to shop for personal items, in CHARTING areas?? I've had CNAs outright tell me, "get it yourself" (blanket, soda, etc.), and they have no idea that I have late meds, two phone calls to make to MDs, two elevated BPs to treat stat, telemetry calling to say a patient is in Vtach etc... No matter how much I and some RNs help, the CNAs still complain to management. Lucky for them, management listens, thus, giving CNAs more power/worth than RNs. At the end of the day though, CNAs are at the utmost importance to me. I can tell you how much I truly appreciate that extra attention and tenderness you give to OUR patients! You're an important extra set of eyes. The CNA may be the first to see bloody stool, report abnormal vitals, save a patient from falling or even see that "something is different" about the patient. CNAs are an equally valuable member of the nursing team!

Great! These are all the reasons I want to quit my job now and get an advanced nursing degree. You mean I have to put up with the same bull-crap after all that additional money and extra studying?! p.s. - I don't have BSN in my user name because there is no extra pay with most employers or possibly all, in my state. I do have a BSN though.

Is it ethical or even legal for me to kindly suggest to a client that she start using adult diaper-underwear (aka Depends, Poise, etc.)? I'm going to be brief because I don't want to be recognized by any coworkers, should I give all the details. Where I work, clients are supposed to be independent. They should be able to feed themselves and several walk with the assist of a cane or walker. This particular client, has a mobility impairment, she uses a wheelchair, that must be pushed by staff. Thus, it's not a motorized chair. When we take her to the restroom, she must be lifted into a standing position, by using a gait belt. The distance to the bathroom and back, is approximately 200 ft. My problem is, and I truly hope, I'm not sounding mean, but, I'm petite in stature and weight, and the client weighs 325 lbs. The techs are usually MIA, so I end up taking her to the bathroom, one to three times a day. I hold the belt and touch her skin, so she thinks, I'm helping her stand, but, I've never lifted her. Still, I do have to push the chair. I had lower back pain before I took this job, and now this isn't helping. My back is throbbing as I write this! I'm laying on my side because it hurts to lay on my back. My supervisor and other RN friends have told me: "Don't take her, you can't injure yourself, for any job"! Still, I feel it would be cruel to let her soil herself. Right now I only see two options to solve this. 1. Ask management that we begin the process of transitioning her, and her family would have to find a different facility. I can't imagine the burden this would cause to the family. The client has been there 7+years and has developed friendships with other clients. Plus, I am the first RN to question her suitability (needing to be independent) for our facility. Five other RNs held this role before me. 2. Ask her to wear adult undergarments (diapers). If she agrees to this, there would be no need for me to suggest the transfer. I want to treat her with respect and dignity. But, could this become a legal/discriminatory issue with the ADA? In advance, thanks for all the responses and help. :)

Hi ST1959, Hope you find a new and better position soon! Also, my prayers go out to your father and to you, as his caregiver. I'm also dealing with a bully MSW (social worker) at my new job. I've been there less than two months, and there is drama, every doggone day with her. She is condescending and disrespectful to me verbally and in e-mails, and thinks she is the RN. She tries to make me look inept. Just last week, I overheard a conversation she was having with one of the techs at the facility, and realized they are in cahoots to have me quit or get fired from the facility. After many weeks of ignoring her, I finally spoke up, but, I wrote an e-mail implying she is a liar. I didn't outright call her one, but, the implication is clearly there. I've been a nervous wreck all weekend because I don't think I will have a job either, by the end of this workweek. I really, really need the money from this job, even though it doesn't pay well. Yet, it's hard being someone's b****.

Maybe you should have chosen a different user name on that dating site. I really didn't want to know that you like doing "it" EVERYDAY. Yikes?!?

Smile when you give your responses. :) Phone interviews can be harder than face-to-face encounters sometimes. It's the first step in the screening process. You have to pass it, in order to get to the hiring manager or panel. I've had some that are less than 10 minutes, while others have been 30 minutes. They will ask typical interview questions such as: what are your strengths, your weaknesses, why did you become a nurse, your most difficult patient, etc.... I hope you get a job offer for the full-time position. Best wishes!