amw79

After speaking with a recruiter, I've figured out that I would be a nurse 1 level 2 as a BSN with no experience...I still am unsure about what step I would come in as?

Thanks!

What would I start out as a BSN new grad in a Tampa VA hospital? I can't find any clear figures online and am a bit confused about the pay scale. I also have 5 points for prior military service...does this affect the pay? How did they determine the steps? Thanks for any help!

Can somebody help me figure out my potential pay grade? I've scoured the web but am still unclear....I would be starting at the VA hospital in Tampa as a new grad with a BSN (no experience)...I also have 5 points for prior military service (not sure if this affects the pay determination it may only figure into the hiring process)....I read an earlier comment about a new grad BSN being a Nurse 1 level 2 step 5? I'm not sure how they determine the steps...please help! thanks

my preceptorship determined the whole program...

Hello all, I am a recent BSN grad currently studying for the NCLEX. I wanted to express some frustrating and rather disturbing experiences I had in my last semester in hopes of some objective insights and personal catharsis. After reading up on it, I am well aware of the frequent accounts of incivility in nursing, in and out of school. I do however want some fresh perceptions as to whether my experience was in fact unfair or just the nature of some less than desirable circumstances. Either way, I know there is really nothing that can be done now, but advise on how to handle similar situations would be helpful. Also It would be nice to know if I'm being overly sensitive or deluded. I am not complaining and I have moved on for the most part. I do, however feel slightly shell shocked and insecure after my experience and hope to regain my confidence and not become cynical. I have always been a very optimistic, open and genuinely caring person. I am however a bit bitter and angry I hate to admit. In my final 5th semester preceptorship I worked on a cardiac/med-surge unit with a rather new (1.5yrs) male nurse. Initially he seemed friendly and easy going enough. He made me feel very secure and supported in my experience. I admitted to him that I was uneasy about some skills and hadn't had as much hands on as I'd like. Initially he showed no criticism and emphasized that I could ask any question, etc. This atmosphere relieved a great deal of pressure and I looked forward to my first few days. In the hustle and bustle of this busy unit he did not give me much hands on the first 3 days of an 8 day clinical. He was constantly behind (we're talking hours) and would chat with patients for extended periods of time while other pressing demands fell behind. Needless to say he did not let me do much, but I shadowed and assisted with med passes periodically these first few days. (granted I'm supposed to be doing MUCH more if not everything independently) on 2 of these days he came in late and tired admitting to playing video all night with 2-3 hours of sleep. On the 5th day he expressed that he had made an insulin error as a witness and was concerned about a write up...(this was the second time)...this nurse was also in an online BSN program so it is clear he was busy and had some stress in his life. On the 5th day, my preceptor threw me into hands on a bit more than usual and as I was withdrawing meds from the med cart I accidently pulled an extra blister packet....he caught it before we left the med room and counted that as a med error, saying he didn't know whether I would have seen it. Now I do practice the 6 checks and know I would have seen it. I can't imagine even seasoned nurses never have these kind of oversights. We are human. Secondly, that day I was having difficulty hearing an apical pulse on a man who was overweight and had CHF. It was very faint and my preceptor was chatting while I was listening. I politely tried to hint that I couldn't hear and managed to catch atleast 60 beats. I then indicated to my preceptor that I had difficulty hearing it, captured atleast 60 but he may want to give it a listen. He interpreted this as me being nonchalant and not understanding the gravity of nursing. At the end of our 5th day he preceded to criticize me and express that he was very concerned and not sure I was ready to graduate. I was shocked to hear this and found it absurd. I said I would work harder and prove I was ready. On our final 3 days I busted by rump going over and above to please him and be able to graduate. needless to say I was a nervous wreck but managed to keep my composure. I truly felt I was excelling and had great patient interactions. He seemed hesitant to give me much positive feedback. He did share that he had tried to apply to my school's BSN program and had been turned away. I wonder if there may be some ax to grind or point to prove here. In the end, after a few more "fumbles" on my part, but nothing serious he wrote me a mixed evaluation indicating that I had potential to be a great nurse, but was not ready or safe enough yet. Of course I was not fully ready yet! I still need to pass the NCLEX and get through my new grad orientation. I felt his expectations were unrealistic and unfounded. Up to this point I had very high grades and good evaluations from other clinical instructors. I was not perfect but in comparison to other students I was honestly at the same if not in some cases higher level. Several of my peers expressed they had preceptors that rarely let them do much and preferred to stay in control. These students received passing evals. This system seemed arbitrary and unbalanced. Anyway due to my preceptors eval I was forced to receive an incomplete and could not graduate until completing 80 more hours with an instructor. I did attend my pinning though. I have now resolved my clinical requirement but still am flustered that this happened at all. When I expressed my concerns to my director (the one who gave me an incomplete) she said, well we are not evaluating your preceptor, that is between him and his manager. I'd appreciate any feedback or similar experiences. I don't wanna become a ***** cynical nurse but the fact that someone on a powertrip can have such an impact on a student's life is ridiculous.

yes thanks!

good points!

Thanks ilivivt. I understand what you are saying regarding compatible vs noncompatible meds...however I'm under the impression that back priming is ALWAYS necessary in order to clear any air out of the line once its run dry....now I'm referring to the secondary running dry...of course with the primary this may not be necessary since its often switched out before it runs dry...am I correct?

Thank you for your input! That was greatly helpful:)

Hi ya'll. New grad here, prepping for the NCLEX. I have a general question regarding back priming. I understand how its done and know the purpose (to avoid losing medication and keep a closed system). I am a bit stumped on one aspect if someone can please clear it up.....if I am switching out a secondary IVAB for instance....what is acceptable and/or best practice...can I simple spike the new IVAB and if the tubing is good, backprime it and start the infusion? Or do I have to backprime/flush with the OLD BAG before spiking the new secondary. If it is the SAME medicine and it is a closed system I do not see why it would matter either way....while I see it may be best to flush into the old bag to clean out all the old med, etc. is it acceptable to do it either way? Am I right in understanding back-FLUSHING with the old bag is most appropriate when using another compatible secondary med? My instructor says to just use new tubing for all different antibiotics, but I know this may not be policy at every hospital. Please give me some guidance, thanks! -A.W