sheisbb

I recently attended the one-day nursing expo organized by Lippincott and spoken to few recruiters and one from Texas Health Resources. I am from Singapore, with 6 years of OR nursing experience specialized in orthopedic and spine surgery. I would like to seek advice on the expected salary/hour. Thank you.

Hi, I'm a RN. I have had a short experience working in orthopaedic ward. In a normal day shift (morning and afternoon until 9pm), we have 5 RN and 4 LPN handling the ward load of 52 patients and some 12-15 extended beds. RNs are diveded into 3 groups, 2:2:1. each nurses is assiged from 13-15 patients per shift. For the night shift, there are only 2 RN and a LPN taking care of the whole ward. The ward occupancy is about 110% 11 months a year. The first night shift really horrified me. That night, it was a full full-house. I was assigned to 17 extended beds because i was new and those patients were 'ok'. Just imagine the vital sign taking, medication and reports to write! Luckily it's only a short 3 months rotation to orthopaedic ward before my new job assignment.

Hello here. Are you reluctant in assisting a spine surgery, as a scrub? In the hospital where i worked, other than the orthopaedic trained orp who looks tough inside out , nurses are very reluctant to assist in spine surgery. We have tried our very best to share our experience and skills to nurses who are new or has not scrub in for a while but it all seems not encouraging to them. I'm aware that one of the reason is the many types of implants and instruements used often confuse the nurses. Sometime just too many systems. Also, every instruments come with each system is different. I have a tough time to pick up all of them myself. But I really don't think it should become a resistance to learning. I'm sure there are some other reason which I'm not aware of. Please enlighten me with your thoughts.

well, I do have some experience with that. i work with a spine team for past 4 years, which run similiar model like what you've decribed. However, due to staff constrain, the hospital cannot affort to spare nurses to that specific model. I'm among other 15 nurses employed under university but worked in the general hospital. That gives us a privilage not to be included in the hopsital traditional nursing rotation. In spine team, there are only two nurses included in this model. There are 3 more specialties which run similiar model but all with either 1 or 2 nurses. All of us are OR trained. This is how we do it. The nurse will attend all the elective and emergency spine surgery. Day or night. We work as scrub nurses. The circulator still has to come from the general orp pool who works on that particular shift, which may include the orthopaedic trained orp (if that's our lucky day). Usually, it only require one assistant nurse or RN for the whole surgery. We will prepare the necessary instruements and implant and after the surgery, handling the cleaning part as well. In this hospital, we have monday as semi-e spine or and thursday as elective spine or. when we are not in any surgery day or emergency cases, we move between the orthopaedic ward and spine clinics. Here, some extra work description comes in to make up for the less working hour in the operation room. The important issue for this model is, however, we couldnt really exclude nurses who works in rotation. This is because the movement of spine instruemnts and implants still require all day monitoring from staff who are willing to take up that responsibility (we do not have orthopaedic sister in or). Yes, we are taught of accountability and responsiblity but thing just dont happen that way in reality.

Dear Suzanne, My friend has just passed the NCLEX exam under New Mexican BON which is arranged by the agent. Now the agent wants her to decide which state to go to. Could you kindly advise where is the nice or ideal place to start with? We have little idea about the living and working environment in USA. She is currently working in Singapore, posted at the operation room, but she wish to work in oncology. Thank you. Bibiana

Hi Suzanne, I intented to go for USA actually. I have read the information from the BON NY. Notice that i have to send my nursing education details to CGFNS for review before apply for exam in NY. I am now working in Kuching (the cat city), Sarawak. Its part of the borneo island. Thank you for your help and concern in helping me. Ciao bib

Dear Suzanne, I am from Malaysia. I have a 3-year nursing diploma (after secondary education) and a 2-year degree in nursing (under post-registration program). So does it holds the equal status with the Thailand nursing program? Thank you. bib

i am out of school years ago, but still fresh in mind of those sick behaviours. Ppl could juz come late to class and 'bang' the door so loud as if announcing their arrival! that make me sick! once prof decieded to lock the door at 8am sharp (well, pitty those late comer but hey, i totally agreed with that). haha... oh, and those late commer were always late for clinical as well. once prof said to a 5 min. late mate : hey, ur patient needs resusitation to a 10 min late mate : hey, ur patient is drowing his last breath to someone later then tat : hey, ur pt's body is on the way transporting out. i think tat's cool! bib