lesrn2005

"When I first graduated from NS, the hospitals in my area were not hiring a lot of new grads either so I opted to work in a TCU. You can get very good experience in a facility like that. Don't overlook that possibility. Most have IVs and other treatments like hospitals and is a great way to get a varied and good experience." quote What is TCU?

Here's the scoop: Been working for this co. for close to 2 yrs., supervisor asked me if I was interested in "learning how to run her desk" when she takes time off, so there would be another nurse available in office. They currently have 1 nurse available to help fill in that knows the desk. My main job is field nurse/casemanager. Sat in for a week while supervisor was sitting/available close by to train me. Thought I did well as this is a involved tricky computer program, and had a few people that said I did well w/the system. I can move easily about and catch-on fairly well. Next week, supervisor is off, and told me that she asked other "trained" nurse to fill in for her-said she thought that "I'm more comfortable out in the field, I'm a field nurse." "You seemed a little uncomfortable", was her remark. Yep, I took remark a little personal, let ego get in the way-I always get sarcastic at times and said, "Yea, guess I was pretty sucky." She said, "No, I thought you did really well." I should have let it go there, (but there's that darned ego thing.} and said I was only uncomfortable with IDT meeting. (didn't know what papers needed to be brought into meeting, so, yep, I asked the other nurse (trained for the desk), which ones to bring that a.m. prior to meeting. Guessing I looked "scattered" to her, yet, I thought it was no big deal, as I had the right papers for the meeting. Anyway, after discussion with supervisor, she said she assigned me 2 days in office , giving the other nurse 3 days. I now realize it was probably the other nurse who said something to supervisor about how she had to help me. I feel she may have been undermining the situation, felt a little threatened by my capabilities (darned ego thing again). I ABSOLUTELY don't want these 2 days in office now, so how do I get out of this without making myself look like I'm not a team player? Office is known for being "catty". Help!! Please!!

I say "take a deep breath and go back to work", you have not gone to the class yet, so cut yourself a break! Talk to your charge about your feelings!

I'd keep it simple and start off with s/sx's of CHF...

I live in Florida, graduated 2 yrs. 4 mos. ago, and make roughly $52,000/yr working Hospice. This includes a little overtime and mileage. I believe I get paid a little more than hospital (I'm paid by the hr.).

I'm up also (with you-sending you big hugs)!! Your plate is full-do you have any family, i.e., siblings, aunts, uncles, to help? Sounds like you're carrying this alone.

So sorry for you and yours.......I have a teenage dtr and I'd be worried also. Let us know what happens.

Hey doodle: spell out the Mu and NMDA receptors please-thanks!!

I just started w/St Petersburg College for BSN online-I did a lot of research & they were the cheapest per credit hr. + they're National League of Nursing approved which means you can apply to Univ.'s for masters (if you decide to) and they'll accept your credits. CK distance learning threads for in depth discussions on this subject.

Hurst review (for me) was the best. The study ?'s are very similar to N-Clex ?'s- it had the best priority ?'s (just like the ones you see on N-Clex) to study. I also used Saunder's and had a study disc w/Kaplan ?'s. I would absolutely go with Hurst.

Keep it professional, nothing cutesy, and send ASAP-one website said w/in 24 hrs. of interview, but I've been a little later than that b-4. Get goin'!! Times-a-wastin'!!

Bet you passed!!!

Sounds good! Sign me up!

Thank you Tweety. I appreciate the discussion; during the interview, they asked me if I would have a problem with 5 to 6 pts. on my shift. I said " no, that would be acceptable." Darn!! I think I really wanted that job!! Any others w/advice??

But Tweety, wouldn't they have already looked me up on their files b-4 they brought me in for interview? Do you have experience w/HCA? What have you heard?

'Thank you for responding, when the interviewer asked why I left that HCA owned hospital, I told her why-I wasn't comfortable w/nurse/pt ratio-I had been given 9 on a shift (even though I had a preceptor). She seemed satisfied by that answer. May be they had better applicants after my interview?

Looking for some advice please!! I'm a relatively new nurse (2+ yrs.), started on med-surg/tele floor with 1st job-was working w/preceptor for 1 mo., given 9 pts. on a shift. Knew this was not a good thing, didn't want to lose my license, so I turned in 2 wk notice a few days later (still being precepted at the time; hospital was managed by HCA if that tells you anything) Nurse manager unhappy, told me I was of no benefit to her and I could leave then. It was my day off when I turned in my notice, so I was not leaving my shift uncovered. She wouldn't let me work the final 2 wks under preceptor, which I fully understand her reasoning. I also realize the costs involved to train a new nurse. Went to work 1 hr away for larger hospital/fewer pts to deal w/on a med-surg floor. Stayed for 8 mos. Currently working in another specialty area (Hospice) for last 18 mos. and now ready to get my feel wet again in the hospital. Applied to another HCA owned (different hospital) close to home, interview went well, and you can probably guess...haven't heard from director/HR dept, who I interviewed with, even though they said they'd call in 2 days and not to worry. It's now been 1 week, and I left a message for director and HR. I've had 3 jobs in 2+ yrs, so that probably doesn't look good, but my excuse is looking for my "niche". Anyway, could my file possibly be listed as "not rehirable" by the above co. for the 1st position I left (NM told me to leave) What do you think? Hindsight is 20/20, wish I had stuck it out on the 1st position, but didn't feel safe.

But to actually have "normal" hours for a change.. OMG, I can't imagine how I'd act not having to get up at 0300, to be able to sit up awhile after dinner and not have to go to bed at 1900 ! And to not have to run, run, RUN all day long.. ten hours a day! To be able to BREATHE, to actually be able to do some teaching, sharing, comforting, caring! *sigh* * Alright, you're scaring me!! I'm considering going back to hospital floor nursing to refresh my skills-and you're dredging up some old bad memories!! I'm currently in a field that parallels homehealth (hospice) with a lot of autonomy and the wonderful little errand breaks that are self-scheduled throughout my day. I also fear being held "captive" for 12 to 13 hrs. per shift. Oh boy! What to do, what to do.........

Hi-what kind of limitations are you speaking of? Do you use "aids" or special equipment?

I did Hurst (Marlene) review along w/Kaplan, Saunders and NCSBN. Marlene Hurst breaks it all down and keeps it real simple. I've read other posts on this site plugging Hurst review.

So which would be busier? I would have to guess that med-surg would be busier, can anyone tell me anything about med/onco. floor? Thanks in advance.

Congrats to you-although I can't give any advice on good books, I can say that your own experience with CA will make you more empathetic to your patients. Good luck!!

I graduated HCC in May, 2005 - program is very good/thorough-with high NCLEX pass rate. Good luck to all!!

O.K.-with all of the above said, what do think of oncology floor in hospital? Is it as busy as med-surg, worse or better? Give it to me straight-going for an interview tomorrow a.m., (did med-surg for 8 mos. and it kicked my a--!).