AngelsRN

Thank you so much for your feedback . . .I am very undecided about this and have an interview scheduled. My hospital, which I love, just filed for bankruptcy and is looking for someone to buy their assets . . it could work out, it could not and I feel a little stuck in the middle and not sure what to do . . I cant be without a job, but I love my current hospital and would be heartbroken if I left and then it all worked out . . .any advice I would greatly appreciate it!!

Hi I was just wondering if anyone has experience working in the VA system? I may have a possible job opportunity and was just wondering . . . Thanks

Thank you for responding . . . I know it should be something based on my interests, but for some reason, I am just coming up blank. I was trying to look up ideas to stimulate my brain to develop something. When I complete school, I want to be a hospital based educator and especially work with graduate nurses and help them transition from being a student to a nurse bec I did not have the best experience when I was a new nurse. I do have an interest in Watson's Caring theory but not sure how I can make that work . . .

I should note, the project is supposed to be related to teaching BSN students . . . Thanks for any guidance you can provide me!

Hi I am about to start my final semester of graduate school to get my MSN in Nursing Education --- I need to begin thinking of my capstone project. Initially I thought of doing something related to the use of technology in teaching nursing students but I wondered if there were other ideas out there. If I hear of other ideas, it tends to stimulate my thinking for other options . . . thanks for any advice.

Hi Everyone I am interested in going back to school for my masters . . I go back and forth between NP and Nurse Educator, although I am drawn more to the Nurse Educator role . . .i am most interested in working with new nurses in a hospital setting, which would be my eventual goal. Can anyone give me an indication of salary . . I know if varies with location of the country etc. but i just need to know if i spend the money on my education, that i will at least be able to make enough to pay my bills etc. when I am finished and have used my savings acct. for school. I am in the upstate NY area in the hudson valley . . . Thanks so much for your thoughts and assistance.

After I worked as a nurse for a year, i began working a perdiem job in addition to my full time job . . first i did it with an agency, but after realizing i did not like the agency, I took a per diem position with another hospital . . .I used to work there 1x per week but the last 6 months or so i have only done a handful of shifts bec there is not the need like there used to be. I actually make a little less at the per-diem job . . .

i work 3-8 hour shifts and 1-12 hour shift per week . . .varied mostly days, but some evenings

I tried to get a job in ICU but there was none available in my hospital (I was on the medical floor at the time). I ended up going to PACU and have been there for 6 months now . . .and love it! It is possible to go from a medical floor to PACU and not need ICU experience per se . . .i personally feel that new nurses should start on a medical floor and get comfortable with nursing in the real world before trying something more specialized like ICU, PACU, OR etc. In my experience researching schools . . .CRNA programs want you to have ICU experience and will not count PACU for that experience.

where i work now, no, but where i was . . .oh my god yes . . .one of the reasons I left. A lot of unprofessional gossip and BS going on!

Congrats!!! All the best for your future!

I worked for while about 60 hours a week while in school . . .it was too much. Then I found another job and worked about 30. It is doable, but see if you can do an adjustment. If you have to work that much . . .then life becomes work and school, work and school, with a little sleep mixed in occasionally. I gave up my life while in school . . but it was worth it now when I look back. Good Luck!

Hello Everyone I just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This site is awesome and my go to place when seeking information and support. Best wishes in 2010!!!

I agree with this about "prestigious." Definately not necessarily a reflection on quality of care. Go with hospital B Good Luck and Congrats!

I was 36 when I graduated nursing school --- there were plenty of people in their 50's and one gentleman who was in his early 60's. There were very few people in school with me who were in their 20's. I have never felt there was an issue with ageism --- most employers understand there are many second career nurses and value the work ethic and integrity of an "older" adult. My work ethic for sure is much different now at 40, than it was at 22. And as far as the 12 hour shifts go . . sure, some days are unbearable . . but again, after getting some experience, there are so many different opportunities in nursing that afford 8 hour shifts and are not as greuling as 12 hours shifts!

Thanks!

i dont think it is so much being 40+ as it is trying to just remember everything that is going on . . .

definately no wet gauze on this . . .i personally like allevyn, but my facility switched to duoderms instead. I find the duoderms do bunch up. I was always taught duoderms were to be changed every 3 days . . .but recently someone told me they saw 5-7 days. I have not had a chance to look up which is correct per the company.

ha ha ha . . that makes me laugh! We dont even get a "good job" or any acknowledgement . . . much less a bonus, gift card or anything. In fact my gift this year is to work christmas eve and christmas day bec obviously i am not one of the boss' favorites! Even though they say, if you work christmas day, you wont have to work the eve . . funny, several of us are doing both, and several are doing neither! Merry Christmas!

I have NSO too!

Thanks for the recommendation . . .I just found out a got a position in PACU and am thrilled!!!!! I am ordering this book so i can start learning before i get there in 6 weeks!

I love my Danskos . . have them in white and black --- i have had terrible issues with my feet in the past, and i swear that the danskos helped my feet immensely. I never have pain now!

not a lot of jobs in poughkeepsie area

my last shift, which was day shift 12 hours, I had 9 patients (all at one time)! Everyone else had either 8 or 9 as well. Then I had 2 discharges, and got 2 admissions or transfers right back. And these were patients who had a high level of acuity . . .not icu level of course, but not just hanging out in the bed and self care.

many nurses where i work dont do assessments . . they may or may not carry the stethoscope, but they do not do assessments. I always do mine . . .may be later in the day, depending on how the morning started but it still gets done. Initially in the morning, i check what i need to check related to what they are there for and based on any complaints they may have . . .then follow up later with the rest. In reality, it does not take long to do a complete head to toe assessment once you have a routine. Keep doing it . . .your patients will thank you!