beemax079

I've spent the last two years in psych and that is how I feel most days as well. I have interviews this week for med/surg jobs and I am curious how it's going to compare!

I think people forget that just because they set an interview up to know more about you, you can interview them a little too. It's important to me that I am safe, successful and I'm able to learn more or grow in my skills when I'm thinking about my job. Safety, especially when out in the community- what measures does the company have in place to ensure safety of the workers? I also ask what qualities does someone need to have to be successful in this position- it gives me an idea of what the manager likes from an employee. And opportunities to grow- they usually ask where you see yourself in 5 years, you could ask them what they like to see out of their employees in 5 years, competencies, charge trained, precepting students, etc. - that might pertain more to floor nursing but I hope some of this helps.

Good thought! It bothered me too but it also feels weird to write it in past tense. I think I'll change that.

I tried to take pictures from my phone too, but they didn't work out too well. Sorry, I promise I'm fluent in Epic.

Hi All, I have been working in psych since i graduated in 2013 and have really wanted to join the medical side for a while. My hospital system is striking and I can't continue working at a place that does not value its employees, and I see no point in keeping my seniority (3 years HA) if there will be no benefits left 20 years from now. SO I'm asking for your help. I'm applying for float pool positions and general med/surg to get my feet back on the ground. Please give me feedback on my resume and cover letter! You guys rock! I'm not so saavy on how to attach things here, so I copied and pasted the best I could. The style looks different (bolded items, spaced out, etc) but content is what I'm most worried about. Thank you!!! OBJECTIVE Caring and motivated RN with crisis management and leadership skills seeking a nursing position on a *** unit at *** hospital EDUCATION SEPTEMBER 2009- MAY 2013 St. Catherine University St. Paul, MN BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING • Minor in Spanish EXPERIENCE 6/1/2014 TO PRESENT Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN CHILD/ADOLESCENT RN • Stabilize patient during mental health emergency while managing Mental Health Associate and security aid, including leading restraint application and other restrictive procedures • Assess medical needs and provide intervention as appropriate, including assessment and dressing of wounds and monitoring for side effects of medications • Promote safety of patients during hospital stay by assessing suicidality of patient, encouraging the use of new coping skills for mental illnesses, and identifying areas of risk on the unit • Organize therapeutic activities for groups of up to 10 patients ages 6-18, with a focus on education about illness and coping skills • Coordinate the implementation of individual plans of care for patients with the interdisciplinary team, including psychiatrist, pediatrician, occupational therapist, and social worker 8/1/2013 TO 6/1/2014 Therapeutic Education Alternative Apple Valley, MN PARAPROFESSIONAL • Implemented charting and behavioral management techniques to track and evaluate student progress • Administered medications as scheduled and as needed, assess students with illness or minor injuries • Provided instruction and managed educational and therapeutic programs for students with varying degrees of mental illnesses • Maintained student and staff safety by employing de-escalation techniques in crisis situations, including the use of Professional Crisis Management and hands-on techniques 5/1/2013 TO 9/1/2013 Skyhawks Sports Academy Various Locations, MN PROGRAM DIRECTOR • Corresponded with community supervisor, camp coaches and parents to coordinate camp resources and schedules • Delegated duties to staff and oversaw instruction to groups of athletes • Supervised, structured, and provided instruction to over 30 children at one time aged 6-14 years 1/15/2013 TO 4/1/2013 Vintage Moments, LLC White Bear Lake, MN HOME HEALTH AID • Assessed and monitored resident health by observing physical and mental condition • Communicated health concerns of residents to overseeing RN • Maintained supportive relationships with residents and their families • Aided residents in performing activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and eating 9/1/2010 TO 3/15/2013 Bride to Be Consignment Bloomington, MN SALES ASSOCIATE • Aided customers in customizing and purchasing wedding items based on preference and trending styles using exceptional customer service skills • Managed and trained new hires on store-specific policies and procedures. • Educated prospective consignors about consignment process and aided in selecting stock. • Participated in bookkeeping process, including payment of over 2,000 accounts and assuring accuracy of cash drawer after sales. SUMMERS 2010, 2011 Circle R Ranch Long Prairie, MN CAMP HEALTH SUPERVISOR • Administered scheduled medications to campers • Assessed and administered first-aid to campers and staff • Validated and organized health-related paperwork • Communicated major health concerns of campers with guardians and supervising RN Here's my cover letter: Name Address Email Phone Dear Hiring Manager: I am writing to apply for a Registered Nurse position at *** on the *** unit. I am pleased to learn of your need to fill this position, as it is in line with my interests and I would be an asset to your team. In 2013, I graduated from St. Catherine University, where I successfully completed a variety of clinical experiences that prepared me for a diverse patient population and allowed me to develop excellent critical thinking skills. Since graduating, I have been employed at Abbott Northwestern Hospital on the Child/Adolescent Psychiatry unit. My employment there has developed my communication and leadership skills as I have recently been trained as a charge nurse. My references, if requested, will attest that I have utilized my education to help prepare me for a wide variety of patient populations as a positive, forward-thinking new nurse. I believe that my experiences have prepared me for a nursing position at ***, and I look forward to speaking with you soon regarding employment opportunities. Please do not hesitate to contact me at *my phone number* if you have any questions regarding my application. Sincerely, My name

Hi all, I've been working in an adolescent mental heath unit for 1.5 years now. I got the job out of college because the assistance nurse clinical manager and nurses I worked with as a student went to bat for me to get hired as a new grad, and I am very thankful for them. But as I've worked there, things on the unit have declined and I am ready for a change, very ready to head to medical. Yesterday, I was signed up for a class to be trained as a charge nurse. Do I hold out and gain some charge experience before I start applying for a medical job? If so, how long? I don't know if I can make it another three months. Yesterday, a therapist told me to do something for him because it was "below his pay grade". It's the tip of the iceberg with staffing, unit acuity, resource shortages, etc. Any advice is appreciated!

People who don't work in psych don't realize how mentally exhausting it is. Working in childrens/adolescent you are constantly scanning to see what could possibly be used as a weapon, are all the patients obeying the rules, who is where, what new med side effects am I looking out for, being absolutely consistent with everyone. You try to build rapport with your patients and demonstrate empathy but at the same time most of these kids have extremely manipulative tendencies. The paperwork is a whole other world because you never know who is guardian, and if they are a ward of the state there's another ball game, plus school paperwork is added on. This, on top of assessments and charting. The violence and behavioral issues are our "hard skills" that we deal with. Our message is always "I'm here even when things get tough", which means we are closest when that chair gets thrown. I sometimes wonder what its like to have patients who willingly go along with the treatment plan. Or at least pretend to...

I got on allnurses today to look for opinions about the same thing. Graduated May 2013, Passed my boards in December and there is absolutely no nursing shortage in MN. Sure, there are jobs in ND, but there is nothing else in ND and I am a very social person! I'm not opposed to LTC, its just not what I'm passionate about. I see posts on here about people holding out for that hospital acute care job, but if I can earn experience and look for that same job, why not? At least I'm gaining something! Thanks for this post.

Hi there! New grad MN RN thinking about relocating. All of the jobs Im seeing require my license to be in the state, which makes sense, but I'm wondering if anyone has been successful applying places before their nursing license to that state has gone through. Also, MN is a noncompact state. Im not going to move until i have a job. Will this effect my ability to get a compact license if i don't live in a compact state? Any one had experience with this? Ive looked all over the state board website but nothing is clear. Thanks!