infinitynotzero

Thanks! I'm finding that this third contract is sketchy in comparison with my first two, but the pay is much better. I was told that the pay was better because it's not the most desirable location. Turns out they are not only short staffed, but do not employ housekeeping, nurse aids, ekg techs, or phlebotomy (this is ER) There is one secretary. Nurses do everything from actual nursing to the aforementioned jobs. I was told no nurse aids on interview, but not about the rest. I guess better luck next time!

Hello all, I am currently working my third travel assignment. I've always used Glass Door to look up staff reviews, and occasionally I can find reviews on The Gypsy Nurse website on hospitals. How does everyone research their hospitals before signing a contract to make sure you aren't walking into a ticking time bomb?

Hello there, I'm looking to start travelling with my husband and our fur babies (cat and dog) in the next three months. We are very in-between on where we want to stay. We would like to live conservatively as he will be leaving his career to get on the road. I wanted to ask what has been the easiest living arrangement for everyone who has experience with travelling? We are rolling around between apartment, RV, air B&B, or extended stay. So pretty much every option out there (we're still in the beginning stages of planning). My other question is, take the stipend or take the housing? What has been easier? What has been cheaper? Also, any difficulties taking two cars as far as parking?

Hello, I'm really excited to say that I've just landed a position in the ER (thank god it's finally a daytime shift- I see the light!). I'm transferring from the ICU to the ER, but I'm a bit wary of taking care of children and I'm feeling pretty rusty on a lot of peds topics. Are there any good books out there that anyone can recommend for quick brush ups on pediatrics and/or pediatric emergencies? Also, any books that are just really nice to have or that have helped out significantly? I know many have made this transition from ICU to ER before, any advice?

Well lets see.. 3 physical assessments per patient per shift, event notes, end of shift notes, hourly assessments which consist of drip rates/IV's hanging with their rates, VS, I&O, and anything else you could imagine might be assessed hourly.. like icp etc... any drip titrations. vascular access and turns/activity every two hours and rhythm strips are the bare minimum. Depending on what the pt. has going on, you can add about 8 plus assessments that need to be documented a few or more times during the shift. Have an admission? Add on two more hours of paperwork. Also, we "cater to our doctors" which means we put in all their orders for them (most don't even know how to do this). There's probably quite a bit more that I can't recall off the top of my head.

I would say about 60% of my job is charting, unfortunately.

Hi there, I've been working as a new graduate in an ICU for a year now. I'm completely turned off by my job. I got into nursing wanting to become an ER or flight nurse, but jumped when the ICU position was offered to me. Obviously I'm not a pro in the ICU yet, and I'm okay with that- but my frustration is not solely the complexity of the patients. I feel that I understand the pts. needs and patho/drips/machines etc. fairly well and enjoy that the most about my job. I'm having a hard time understanding if I'm turned off by ICU completely or if it is just my facility... we are constantly short staffed, and get tripled frequently. I feel that the care that even the more experienced nurses can provide in these conditions is lacking. Often many of the staff stay two hours late to document, and on a bad day, four hours late. Is this common for all ICU staff? What are your experiences in ICU or with ICU burnout?