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!

Thanks for all the great tips and for your guidance everyone! Your support means a lot to me, because, during nsg school, I was usually paired with the nurse who didn't want to teach or impart her/his knowledge. This is my first time working with a solely geriatric population. As you all know, the human mind/ or level of awareness, is both fascinating and complicated. You can't help but wonder, in the future, will I be like my 107 year old client whose short-term and long-term memory is completely intact, or will I be like the 68 year old former college professor who has to be reoriented or reminded to take his medications daily. *note - I rarely/almost never give meds, attendees at this senior center bring their meds from home

Awesome advice xoemmylouox. I gave my second health education topic today and we played a game. It went a little better.

Thanks kindly misstrinad, Your advice is very helpful too. What I like most about your reply is I should give details to describe the anxiety, if observed.

Thank you so much vintagemother. Your reply makes me feel much more comfortable. It's what I observed about the client's behavior at that moment.

Hi All Nurses, I would really appreciate your guidance once again. Why would the previous nurse document (paper charting), alert and oriented times three on the Dementia/Alzheimer's clients? They know their names, but, have to be repeatedly reminded where they are or how to get to the restroom throughout the day. Any help you provide on how to write comprehensive, narrative nursing documentation on these Older Adult clients will be be treasured! Thank you so much.

Hi CapeCodMermaid, Thanks for responding. Great idea about providing the caregivers with the health education, instead of the Older Adult attendees at the center. Only thing is the person who is currently leading the caregivers meetings is very power-hungry and hates that the facility has hired a RN. She would rather the caregivers not have the information, than to share the meeting responsibilities with me. She was hired quickly to fill the center manager's role, even though she doesn't have the degree requirements they have used for past hires. No, this particular group of seniors, does not have the cognitive abilities to learn patient education materials. I'm not trying to be mean, but, many of them enter the facility daily and act like it's the first time they have ever been there. In the same day, many have to be repeatedly reminded how to get to the restroom. So, preparing health topics as a Powerpoint presentation is useless, but, I was hoping to get some ideas on different interactive activities I could try and then somehow incorporate health education into the activity. My next presentation is later this week and I have no choice because health education is a major part of my job role/requirements. Plus, I love giving patient education.

Hi All nurses, I really could use your guidance in creating interactive activities for teaching Health Education to Older Adults. Any books or website suggestions you know of will be very useful too. I recently started a new job working with Older Adults/Seniors and did my first health education presentation on "Medication Safety". After preparing a Powerpoint, two word search games (with large print), and stopping periodically to ask them questions such as: Does anyone have a pill reminder/organizer case?....... my efforts were futile. I've seen almost all of them with those M-F pill cases, yet, no one spoke. Eight out of 30 clients were capable of doing the word search puzzles. I wanted to cry for myself, but, mostly for them, because it felt like I had tortured them for 45 minutes. It was painful! I walked into work that morning thinking, I'm going to help "my seniors" with all this information I've gathered. Then, I was knocked over with tidal waves of blank stares. Well, it's a new week and I'm going to try again!! Please help me fulfill my job duties of teaching health education to Older Adults clients. Roughly two-thirds have dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease or some other type of cognitive impairment. I want to make this an enjoyable activity for them while they are at the center. Looking forward to reading the suggestions. Thanks to all!

Great read! Thanks for sharing this NRSKarenRN.

[ "2. I lost the passion. I don't know when or where it happened, but I found that I have completely lost the passion for nursing. It is just not in my heart anymore. I think being rejected for 3.5 years coupled with being away and disconnected from nursing for so long promulgated this change. The fire that once burned in me for nursing has died." ] This has recently happened to me too. It sucks even more because I'm a 40-something year old new grad. So, I have two (2) worthless degrees. I'm not the type of person to tell people, I'm unemployed, but, I'm doing that now. But, what is the first thing that comes out of their mouths... What?!!, how can a nurse not find a job? I'm getting a few RN job interviews, but, I think they are expecting a 20-something year old to walk in the room. I could be wrong though. In two weeks, I may be starting a non-healthcare, non-nursing, job. Just my luck, this is when I'll get an offer for a nursing job.

I'm feeling the same way rinskins. I love it also when I take approximately two (2) hours to: tailor the cover letter to the facility, complete the application, take the 200-250 question personality test, and click on send at 3:45 *AM*. Then, five to seven hours later, while the recruiter is eating his/ or her second FREE company bagel, they glance at my resume and application for 20 seconds, then send a prepared rejection letter. Ugh! Can't they wait 24 hours? Hello, I worked hard in the wee hours of the morning, on that application! I'm just praying that I get a job offer before I have to take a nursing refresher course.