studentRN1218

Thanks for the input. Just to clarify, I had given this shift to the other nurse so she can take the shift instead. But as per the manager, the unit has to had x number of nurses on, if this number is not met, the request won't be approved and you and that replacement would be both working to meet this number. I had complained to other nurses on the unit about "this rule", but they seems so used to it. Therefore I am wondering if that had happened elsewhere. Either way, I won't be able to work that shift (which is why I find someone to switch with me in the first place!!) yet I would be on the schedule. ugh!

Hi all, I needed a shift off and found a replacement who is willing to work the shift for me. However, my manager didn't approve it as "the minimum staff requirement hasn't been met that shift" (aka they needed nurses for that shift and no one else signed up). Therefore, both me and the replacement i found will be working even though i got her to cover the shift for me. Just wondering if this is common practice as it's confusing that not only I am responsible to find my own coverage but also staffing? Is this common practice elsewhere? I just find that this has been happening a lot to me where I am still required to work even though successfully finding people to switch. Thanks RN121

I ended up taking the peds/NICU job. The small hospital recently expanded/redeveloped so I liked their facilities and I grew up in the community. The ER hospital is bit dated and I just didn't get the same vibe I did with the other hospital. So I basically just went with my gut. I figure if anything I can always move to another peds or NICU unit. Hope I made the right choice! I start in two weeks!

thank you everyone. The small hospital would be my ideal job in maybe 2-3 years and ready to move back to my area. As a new grad tho, it does pain me to not get the big teaching hospital exp (esp I was trained in a really good downtown hospital). The commute is def. a hassle tho, I love being able to walk to work everyday. The ER has a partnership with the hospital I was a student at and they follow the same standards and protocol, so it might be easier to transfer into the big system after. I am still thinking through the pro and cons, will update you guys once I have a decision!

Thank you all! RN_rescue_ninja you made a good point. ER has always been an interest but I thought I would get some experience before I venture into the world of ER. I never thought it would be available to me as a new grad. I think in critical care its very much "sink or swim" environment and I am hesitant because I don't have a lot of adult exp (mostly peds which is why I think they offered me an interview because they do a lot of peds pt). Can any ER nurses weigh in on this? : )

Hi there, I just graduated and have been applying like crazy in the last couple months. So I have finally received two offers, one is in a small community hospital peds unit (5 beds peds unit/10 beds NICU) and the other one is a slight bigger community downtown hospital ER with a designated peds ER space. I always wanted to do ER but am afraid my skills won't be good enough especially as a new grad. I have had a hard time with my consolidation placement in the PICU with time management and skills but this ER is unique that it have a designated peds ER unit and willing to train new grads in peds trauma. The other hospital is a 5 mins walk from my house and I really enjoyed talking with the manager and it seems that we have a good vibe and I was told that I can be cross trained at peds and NICU. The only thing is that its small and there isn't a lot of opportunities. I am having a really hard time to decide which one to take as I don't want to fail at the ER job then back to square one of unemployment. I'd appreciate any advice from my fellow nurses! Thanks!!

Thank you for your response, I am only disappointed because I really enjoyed my placement there and this was at a major hospital in the city. I am not sure if my interest was reflected in my interview. The only thing is that if I attach the clinical eval, I don't want to put my old CI in a bad position if the manager asked about me. So I am really hoping the other nurse will email me back soon.

Hi AN, I just had my dream job interview on an unit where i have done my placement on. I was way too nervous for it and I stumbled and appeared cripplingly shy throughout the interview. I was prepared for the questions so I was still able to give decent examples. The manager did ask me for references and that will help them in making a decision. They are making to make one by Friday so I frantically emailed my CI who also worked as an unit nurse on the unit. She said she is already a reference for somebody else for the same position so she can't be mine. I emailed another nurse whom I worked really well with and I think she would be a strong internal reference. However, I emailed her couple months ago and never receive a response from her. :cry::cry: I have about couple hours left before I need to email my references so I have two choices either list the nurse whom I worked with and seemed genuinely enthusiastic about me working there but didn't responded to my email or should I just attached the clinical eval of my CI on me on that floor? It seemed the only way to save my dying chance at this job is with a good reference from the floor. Pleasee helpp!! Thanks!