ER-RN

Could someone please explain to me why a physician can make a 6 digit-plus salary and the nurse who is the next highest level of education in the hosptial only starts out a couple of dollars higher the the cna's or the nurse techs. (no offense to cna's) Please - BE FOR REAL!!! Especially when you catch the doctor's med error, suggest a needed lab, access their pt, or how abouth this one - when they ask you over the phone what does the pt need. They go home to there $500,00 house with manicured lawns and you go home to your 2 bedroom shack living next door the the crack head you just took care of. And you did it all while working a 12hr plus day with a 10 plus pt load and no lunch. Oh and by the way your tech called in. HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!

Pick ER I went straight to the ER after graduating and never regretted it. However, I did have lots of ER exp. prior (unit clerk, EMT, ER Tech. and then Nurse Extern) There were three of us (new grads) and we were all hired at the same time. We were a great support group for each other. Do what ever you can to prepare ahead of time for example EKG classes or purchase books with Heart strips. Your school book store should have them. If you can begin studying for ACLS. Don't panic it will all make sense once you start living it and you will love it. You might meet a few nurses who don't appreciate new grads, so just stay away from them. (They probably like working short staffed and they deserve it.) Buddy up with good nurses who like to teach, they are the most helpful. I suggest smaller ERs for learning purposes, but if you find a Level 1 Trauma center with a great nurse educator and supportive staff GO FOR IT!!! If you don't like the ER then do med-surg. There's lots of great nursing opportunities out there you just have to find your niche. What worked for one nurse doesn't also work for another. P.S. I know for a fact med-surg nursing doesn't make you any smarter - by ALL THE STUPID QUESTIONS med-surg nurses ask you when calling report. (I am sincerely sorry to all the competent med-surg nurse for this comment) Good luck in what ever you choose!!!!

I'm considering relocating to the Savannah area. If there are any travel nurses out there who have worked in Savannah or surrouding areas and would like to offer any info (patient to nurse ratios, good or bad hospitals) I would greatly appreciate it. Especially any ER info. Thanks a bunch.

Hi, Sorry about the delay, been working overtime. lol. You must work for Memorial Health. I heard it's a great trauma center. I work with an ER DOC that did some time in their ER. He said they get busy. Lots of gun and knife club type cases. lol. Bless you for working neonatal, they are just to small for me. I graduated in '97, but have been working ER for over 10 yrs. (Ward sec., ER tech, Nurse intern, ETC) I have family in the Savannah area and am looking at relocating possibly this summer. I currently live in Michigan. Beautiful state, just to cold. So how's the pay scales? Do hospital have contingent or pool nurses? How about agency? What areas are good to relocate to? I'm single with no kids. So this would be a very easy move. Thanks for any info. Hope to be there soon. Niki

:) :) Hi, I'm new to the site and need some info. on Savannah. I've been vacationing in the Hilton Head & Savannah areas for the past few years. I just love the area. I don't want to be a tourist anymore. I'm looking at mooving to the Pooler area. Is this wise? Are ya'l as friendly to live with as you are to vacation with? Or am I seeing everything through vacation goggles? I've never heard a bad thing about the area. Please include info on area Hospitals. I'm currenly an agency RN earning mid to high 30's. Is this possible in Savannah. Any info would be great. Help me get out of the cold.