PM2RN2016

Thanks Akula, I agree I should have the ICU experience so my hope is to get a CV-ICU or T-ICU spot at one of the local Level I or II hospitals. Meanwhile I plan on continuing my education and get the certs under my belt. I don't retire from the Fire dept for another 6 years so i figure I have at least that much time to build up education and experience. Thanks again Akula

Hello, I am currently in RN school (finals next week!), but have been a Paramedic for over 25 years. I have worked for NYC*EMS/FDNY EMS and now here in Orlando. I am also in the military and have crewed 4-5 times during medevacs in Iraq. I have my BLS, ACLS, PALS, and some others. I am thinking I will most likely have to "pay my dues" in an ED and/or ICU for minimum couple of years. My plan is to earn the TNCC and CFRN certs. I am hoping to find work in fixed wing, and maybe do transports to/from south and central america, as I am also a spanish speaker. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys!

So you're having an issue finding a job, are you marketing yourself correctly? How about taking extra classes while looking for work? ACLS, PALS, and a bunch of other courses that can make you marketable. How do you dress for your interviews? are you a slob? are you unkempt and look, smell, speak like the last person in world I would trust to take care of me? How is your work history at your present job, do you have "issues" such as tardiness, excessive disciplinary issues, or personality issues? Sometimes you need a fresh start- Go to where no one knows you and start looking for work there. How about the military? They are in need of nurses, the prison, and school systems also needs nurses. Expand your horizons, and stop sounding sorry for yourself. Good luck with your endeavours...

I have a G-shock and it works great. Remember you get what you pay for, so if you go with a cheap watch it will most likely break or lose charge. My G-shock is about 3 years old, I used it in Africa for a year (actually did better than my Suunto), has the solar charger, easy to clean, and water and corrosion resistant. I have the GW-2310

I totally agree with this, maintain professionalism at all times and keep the flamboyant mannerisms for when you're out with your friends or at home. Ultimately we all want to be respected but you need to respect yourself first so no matter what your preference is leave that at home, and come to work with the expectation that you are there to do a job and not be in a popularity contest. Hope this helps you bro.

I agree that assisting your teammate with a lift is important but I emphasise "Help" do not do it yourself, and make sure to use it as a teaching lesson for your "weaker" teammates. Use of body mechanics, adjusting the bed, using tools (sheets, slide boards, hydraulic lifts, etc). Ultimately this should not affect you during clinicals, and as a nurse student you should be able to speak for yourself and verbalize that your a team player but not there for "heavy lifting"...

The monitor is a tool, do not depend on the tool to assess the patient for you. Nothing beats hands on assessment, thus treat the patient and not the monitor...

Hello, this is my first post so excuse me if I don't follow any set guidelines or rules. In regards to this post I feel that with today's shortage it is preposterous that we treat Puerto Rican nurses (and thus American Citizens) as 2nd class nurses, coming from a 3rd world. As nurses aren't we supposed to "advocate" for others? It is a shame that these Americans have to jump hoops just to have a fair chance at finding work in the mainland. Does anyone know if the other American commonwealths have to deal with this? I challenge you all to call your local nursing rep, from the ANA and other bodies to help our brothers and sister RNs (and even MDs), to drop these barriers at a national level. It is OK for Puerto Ricans to join the armed forces and die for America, when is America going to treat them as equals? The NCLEX should not be any different for a Puerto Rican than for one living in the mainland. I hope that this opens up meaningful dialogue here and I am willing to work with any rep to help make this happen....