Elizabeth Hanes BSN, RN

All good questions, ambrr. Finding work is probably the most labor-intensive part of the job. I spend probably half my time marketing (or at least I used to, until I built up a good stable of clients). For the type of writing I do (marketing, as oppo...

LOL, passionflower. You can do it!!

Thanks for the kind words!

Are you a nurse who has always dreamed of becoming a writer? I have great news for you. There's never been a better time for a nurse to become a freelance writer. My name is Beth, and I'm an RN and successful freelance writer. I want to share my...

Hello! I got what I consider a rare interview opportunity with the VA. The individual I spoke with by phone told me the process is supposed to be simplified and expedited with the "new USA Staffing thing." Anyway, can anyone offer *recent insight int...

I haven't visited allnurses for awhile, but I ran across this thread when doing some other research. I am an RN but make my living as a full-time freelance writer. I'm happy to help any nurses who want to become writers. I've mentored a couple of nu...

This is very helpful information. Thank you to everyone who's participating. I'm a previous resident of New Mexico, now living in Texas. I applied for endorsement around 1/31/14 and received my temporary license on 2/18. It is good for 120 days. I d...

Just to clarify, this is not true. I've had many classmates in the civilian sector who became charge nurses in 6 months. Myself, within 18 months I was a charge nurse, scheduling and supervising 4 other RNs. And the only reason it took so long was be...

Apparently, I did better in the interview than I thought. My interviewer began calling my references today and told one of them I interviewed "very well." This makes me hopeful. Again, just updating for anyone going through the VA process. My advice ...

Well, here's my update, for others interested in nursing at the VA. I interviewed one-on-one with the program manager. She had a standard list of questions from HR that we went through. There were a LOT of scenarios, which I was unprepared for. Thing...

Thanks for your responses. Jeckrn, I'm interviewing in Albuquerque. I was told I'm interviewing with just one person, the project manager for the Home Based Primary Care division. I'm studying up on the VA's "9 dimensions of nursing" and thinking up ...

Is anyone currently a student in this program or taking prerequisites now to apply? I'm in the latter boat. Taking A&P I and micro now, applying by Sept 15 for the Spring 2007 class. I already have a degree in English. I would love to find some o...

Hi all, My dad has been living with me for six months due to dementia. Last week, we admitted him to hospice due to spiraling debility secondary to not only the dementia but congestive heart failure. Because I'm not a hospice nurse, I have a few ques...

As a second career nurse currently working for a plastic surgeon in his clinic and OR, I can add these thoughts. All of my life, my family has come first and my career second. In medicine, that concept is reversed. My doctor's LIFE is serving his pat...

Does anyone here work at Evans Army Community Hospital (Ft. Carson) or Air Force Academy Hospital in Colorado Springs? Can you offer any insight regarding the situation for civilian nurses at either of these facilities? Is it difficult to get a posit...

I am a new grad in a very enviable position. I have the opportunity to go directly into the OR, either via a teaching (university) hospital that offers AORN's Periop101 course (10 months) or a teaching (university) hospital that offers a 6-8 month gr...

As a former classmate of Future L&D Nurse, I would have to disagree slightly about UNM's acceptance criteria. They do evaluate GPA and Letters of Rec. However, I think they are more focused on "diversity" than on previous healthcare experience. ...

TIP: Remember to cohort. In other words, a patient with MRSA (for example) is best placed in a room with another MRSA patient.

Thanks for your replies. As it turned out, I did opt to go with "Hospital A," which offers Periop101. I'll be starting June 2, and can't wait! I know the OR is the place for me. NiteRocker, I'm glad to hear your positive comments about Periop101. Th...

FWIW, the nurse recruiter at Swedish told me she wanted me to have my "license in hand" before speaking with me about employment, and she preferred me to already be residing in the state. That said, she definitely sounded very nice, and welcoming. Do...

I am interested to hear what CO resident BSN new grads have to say. I am a BSN grad from another state, and I have run into nothing but brick walls while trying to find employment in CO. And I ain't being picky! Good luck to you!

Despite the fact I'm logged in, the "edit" icon does not appear on my original post. This has happened to me before. Sorry for the additional post. I just wanted to clarify. The program at Hospital A is the Periop101 program (6 months of AORN's progr...

My advice is to skip Human Resources altogether. Instead, call the manager/director of the department where you want to work and ask if he/she would be willing to interview a new grad. State your qualifications early in the conversation. After all, h...

I think it depends on whether or not your state allows you to practice under a "Graduate Nurse" license. If so, apply now. If not, wait until you have your license in-hand (ie: you have passed the NCLEX). I say this because the state where I am compl...

This is blatantly illegal. I would complain (you can do so anonymously, I believe) to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You should be able to Google this phrase plus your state's name to find the contact information. Please do so, a...