Sheermadness

I've been a surgical nurse for a little over two years. THIS sounds completley familar. I also get 5 patients. Sometimes we don't even have CNAs and when we do it's like pulling teeth to get them to help. It gets easier though, more manageable, and you will stress less. We have a great team and management is wonderful. If I am having a very bad day I just tell my co-workers that I HAVE to take a breather because I am about to lose it... they get it and tell me to go. My team is the only reason I can handle it day after day.

Location: Eastern Washington State Specialty: Acute Surgical Ortho, smaller hospital that is part of a larger not for profit network. Experience: 2 years, RN ADN (no pay difference for BSN) Base Pay: $33.50/hr. Differentials: $4 for NOC shift and $3 for weekends. OT: time and 1/2 for anything over scheduled shift. Lots of paid vaction, sick leave. Good insurance benefits, $27 bi weekly for a family of three.

Eastern Washington area. Private not-for-profit hosptial that is unionized. The hospital that I work at does not pay differently for specialties, all RN positions are the same rate of pay based on years of experience. Base pay for new grads is around $31.00/hr with $4 night shift differential and additional $3 for weekend shifts. My current rate of pay for 2 years experience is $33.50/hr base pay plus $4 for night shift and additional $3 for weekends. Benefits are good, I only pay $27 bi-weekly for health insurance for a family of three. Lots of paid vacations, accrued vaction time and sick time.