MiniPaige

So correct me if I'm wrong, but you're asking if instead of programming a secondary infusion (IV piggyback), just change the primary infusion rate to the abx rate and then just open the secondary abx line so it will passively flow with the primary IVF? If that's correct, then I would say you're making more work for yourself and potentially harming the patient. We don't us Alaris at my hospital, but from what I'd gather by doing this technique, you'd basically be bolusing the patient with small amounts of NS and the amount of the abx that would run with the NS would be extremely minimal. There have been more than one time that I've walked into a patient room after hanging a PB abx and for some reason the pump didn't start the secondary IVF. So the pump was running the primary IVF while the secondary tubing was wide open, however the abx bag was still full and I didn't note any gtts from the abx bag into the secondary tubing fluid chamber. *I am by no means an expert in how IV pumps work to differentiate primary/secondary IVF* However from what I have gathered from my experience, the pump needs to force the secondary fluid to run, otherwise you'll just be giving the patient small boluses of the primary IVF with maybe minuscule amounts of the secondary abx running passively through the line. So from my experience, it would just be a bad idea. From potentially harming the patient (i.e. potentially not keeping a therapeutic level of abx/giving mini boluses that aren't medically indicated), to potentially getting in trouble for basically giving unordered mini boluses of the primary IVF (which remember is a med and there is a reason the MD ordered it for your patient at the rate/amount they did), as well as just making more work for yourself. Plus, the 10 extra seconds to program the secondary infusion aren't that big of a deal anyways.

Late reply, Inpatient radiation is not as in vogue as it used to be, now more and more individuals are having their radiation treatments as outpatient or go through a cycle while at home. Our hospital still does in patient cesium implants, but the amount of radiation you're exposed to is so minimal that it shouldn't affect your fertility. Plus your exposure is monitored with badges and rings that are checked every quarter (again at least at my hospital) just to ensure you don't have dangerous levels of radiation exposure. With chemo, my hospital is a little more strict than. If you're pregnant, then you're not able to hang chemo. Hell, even if you're trying to get pregnant then our Charge RNs won't assign you a chemo patient unless there's no one else available. Even though the other individual is correct, and chemo exposure shouldn't be a problem to fertility as long as you're following chemo precautions. We also have 4 pregnant nurses at this time, and some are even older moms that have been giving chemo for over 10 years!

Prior to taking the NCLEX two years ago, I used a review course via NCSBN. It was very thorough and went through all the systems. It might be something you'd want to look into. I don't know if it's changed much since I took the course, but I'm leaving a link to it in case you're interested. NCSBN's Review for the NCLEX-RN & NCLEX-PN Examination | NCSBN

It took me months to find a job after I got my license. I ended up being offered a job at the lowest paying hospital in my area in a specialty I had never even considered. My thought process is that after 1 year, I would have enough experience to open other doors at other better paying hospitals. 1.5 years later and I absolutely love my job. The pay isn't the best, but my coworkers are amazing, the doctors are educational, and I get great satisfaction from working with the population I take care of. At this point I have no plans on leaving. I say while your'e a new grad, don't be too picky with your first job. Definitely try to get in the hospitals that you prefer, but if you're offered a job first at another institution then I would highly consider taking it. Then in a year, jump ship if it's not for you.

I took the NCLEX in Nebraska and transferred my license over to CA last summer. It took about 6 months for my license to transfer, and for others I know it's taken longer. After I obtained my CA RN license, it took another 5 months for me to get a job. In Southern CA, there's a LOT of competition for jobs between new grads. Few hospitals hire new grads, and those that do typically hire ones that had clinicals in their facility. Luckily, my parents were able to support me through this time, but without that kind of support, I can't imagine how one would survive. Northern CA is desperately low on nurses, so getting a job up there isn't as big of an issue. If you're planning to move to Southern CA, especially LA and the surrounding counties, I would HIGHLY recommend working in your state while you wait for your license to transfer, and then moving after having a year of work experience. Then you should have no problem finding a job. Best of luck to you! I hope this all makes sense! I just got off my third night and am feeling a little loopy

I'm a new grad that just started on a medical oncology unit (I've only had one shift so far!), glad to see that I'm not alone! Good luck :)

Earlier this week I was interviewed for a position in a new grad program for an ICU. I was told that there were 15 candidates interviewing for 7 positions and that the unit would be making calls by Wednesday (today) at the latest. Well today came and I didn't receive a call. Even if I wasn't offered one of the positions, I was still expecting a call to let me know. So my question is, is it safe to assume that I did not make the cut? This was my first interview as an RN and honestly, I walked out of the interview feeling great. I joked with the nurses/interviewers, asked them questions, made comfortable small talk and felt relatively good about how I answered their questions. Each interview was slotted for a 30 min period and we talked for about 45, which I took as a good sign. I also emailed the unit hiring manager the next day to thank her for the interview. Does anyone have any insight for me?

I'm in a similar boat. I'm scheduled to interview for a position in the StaRN program which overlaps with my own wedding and honeymoon. My fiancé and I decided that if I am offered the job then we would reschedule our honeymoon (thank god we're able to do that) and go after the program ends. I agree that you should talk with the recruiter at your hospital about your situation, but I'd be prepared to choose between your sisters wedding and getting into the program

Thanks for the reassurance! Hearing that it took a few months for you to hear back/get an interview makes me feel better! I have one question for you, when you did hear back did you get a call to come in for an interview or did you receive an email?

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hasn't heard back! I'm so anxious!