DesertRosee

Yes, it’s honestly pretty scary. I was speaking to one of our providers about it and he said we would be at high risk if there was a covid+ patient who coughed while we were swabbing and all we had was a surgical mask on. Honestly my parents live with me and I just cant afford to bring it home and don’t have anywhere else to go in the meantime. I’ll reserve judgement until the official policy and procedure comes out but if we’re testing without n95s then I will have to bow out. And I know a lot of the other nurses and MAs will too. I think if the people making these decisions were actually on the front lines swabbing these people without appropriate PPE then things would be going differently.

So I’m torn. I’m the nursing supervisor at an urgent care facility. My boss just informed me we are to start COVID-19 testing in the near future. They have stocked us with disposable gowns and Home Depot safety glasses (insert eye roll) and surgical masks. They state that due to shortage they cannot provide us with n95s. They have sent us email after email quoting the cdc that a surgical mask can be just as effective as an n95 if the patient and the healthcare worker are both wearing masks even if the patient is covid+. Now that’s all well and good but what happens when I’m swabbing the patient and they cough on me? Is the surgical mask still “just as effective?” We’ve been open and seeing people and the staff is uneasy as am I but at least we have signs everywhere that we do not test or do anything related to COVID-19 in our facility so it has stopped a considerable amount of people from walking in the door. Our census is super low. Can’t help but feel that because the higher ups are losing money due to low volume they decided to risk employee safety to line their pockets... it puts a bad taste in my mouth and I know my staff will Absolutely lose their minds once this information is announced. Of course the company is saying “anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable working can come off the schedule unpaid or use your leave.” So my question is, is this my breaking point where I call their bluff and sit home? It’s hard being a leader as I feel if I do this then a lot of my staff will also follow my lead and want to stay home. What would you all do ?

Hello all, I'm a new grad RN on a med-surg/tele unit. I'm on my second month of orientation and I've come to the realization that med-surg Nursing is not my niche. I think it's a combination of working med-surg and doing nights. I feel like I have no social life and all I do is sleep. Everyone says that with 1 year med-surg experience you can basically go anywhere, but jeez it's going to be a long year. Basically my question is how soon is too soon to quit? Now? 6 months ? 1 year? I'm pretty sure I can stick it out for at least 6 months but past that would be a real pain in the butt. Of course if I had to I would. I didn't sign any contract or anything like that, but I woul feel bad because my supervisors are really nice and my coworkers are great. Not so great 1:6 patient ratio, night shift, and the docs. It's a tunnng joke how mean and nasty the night shift docs are, but nothing is done. Our hospital policy is to not take verbal orders, but if we don't we get yelled at/cussed at by the doc. Then we get reprimanded by admistration for having too many verbal orders entered and nothing happens to the docs. Half the time we have no tech. The other night my preceptor was floated to the ED and I was left with all our patients by myself because they didn't have enough nurses for us to give our patients up. Mind you, we were already floated to the ICU at this point. I didn't feel safe and I had an emergent situation happen and I had no back up. we are constantly being floated which I was told wouldn't happen when I got hired. Am I just singing a tale as old as time here? Are all hospitals like this? In my area there are a lot of open position for new grad and experienced nurses so I don't think I would have a problem finding another job. I also think part of the problem is I don't exactly know where I want to work. I just know where I don't. (Med-surg, ER, ICU) I've been thinking about outpatient jobs as well maybe that'll be a better fit?

I'm currently living with my parents. I plan on staying home for a couple of months to a year to save money, and then move. For the large hospital I didn't actually meet the unit manager for either unit that I could pick from. There was an HR lady at the interview and the DON. They seemed nice enough. They were welcoming. For the community hospital I met with the Nursing manager, and she was wonderful. She was very happy and energetic and I got a great vibe from her. One thing that is throwing me off is that I know one girl in my cohort who works on that floor as a tech. According to her they offered her a position and she declined because she doesn't want to work there. I asked her why. I know she wants to do ICU so I figured she would definitely take I‎t. She said she just doesn't like the unit and they make you float all time. She also told me about some situations that happened at the hospital that seemed crazy to me like they resulted in adverse patient events. I know these things happen at every hospital, but I don't want to feel like I'm walking into a sinking ship. I just don't know if she is a disgruntled employee or if she really has value to what she is saying. I haven't heard anything negative about the large hospital, but I also don't know anyone who works for that hospital. Also, your advice about flipping a coin is great! I'm literally about to do that now! Thanks!!

That's a really great idea! Completing a shadow opportunity in each unit would definitely be beneficial in my decision making process. Thanks!

Yeah the contract is throwing me off. That was one of my first choice hospitals, but I didn't know about the contract. I want to get two years of experience before I start travel Nursing anyways, but it's just scary to commit to something for two years.

The community hospital I'm referring isn't that small!! lol :) So I guess you would consider I‎t a regional hospital because I‎t has the units that you describe. Thank you for your advice!

ThePrincessBride- Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate I‎t. I've never had to commute a long distance so I wasn't sure if an hour seemed long or not. I think this really boils down for me between a community hospital or large teaching hospital. I never thought about the autonomy aspect, and that is something that I will definitely consider. I want to be well supported as a new grad, but autonomy is something that will foster my critical thinking skills. As for the information regarding benefits, health insurance, and retirement I don't have I‎t. This is my first "real" job and I'm not sure what you ask and don't ask. When they called me to offer the job they only told me the pay and when I could start. They said once I accepted the job offer they would email me an official acceptance packet, and I'm assuming all of that information would be included. Neither hospital gave out much info. I don't know if that is standard when you're offered a job, but before you accept I‎t. I wish that someone told me that is the information I should be asking. Again, thank you for your input!

So, I have been truly fortunate to be offered two new grad positions. I would like some input about what you would do if you had to choose. First position: med-surg- I would Spend a week on two separate med-surg floors and pick which one I want to work on. Total orientation is 13 weeks. Pay is 25.50/ hour flat rate, and then pay goes up after orientation is over. Day shift and night shift is available. Requires 2 year contract, but I can change units/specialities within that 2 years as long as I stay within that hospital system. I have to pass NCLEX before I begin working. Second position: ICU step down with 13 weeks orientation. After 6 months I would be able to cross train to the ICU. Pay is 26.50/hr. This is a night shift position. I can begin working here as soon as I graduate before passing NCLEX. No contract. Postion One is about an hour from my house. I‎t is a big hospital with lots to offer. it's magnet with level 2 trauma center. This hospital has a great reputation in the area. Position Two is about 30 minutes from my house. I‎t is a small community hospital. I really have no preference between the two. Both are great offers. After 2 years I would want to do travel Nursing and eventually get my FNP after getting several years of experience. Any my advice that y'all can offer will be greatly appreciated. :)

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time out to respond to my post, and your information was really helpful. I will be sure to check out the other post you suggested as well.

Any new salary information for Maryland or surrounding DMV area? I do have some info to add: Medstar St. Mary's hospital new grad pay 25.50-26.50 (BSN vs ADN) offers nights/weekend differentials

Does anyone have any up to date information on what the going rates are for new nurse graduates in the DMV area. I will be graduating in December and was curious about what the different hospitals in the area were starting out at. Thanks!

I think the anesthesia wore off.

Don't worry I saw this on YouTube, I can basically do the procedure myself.

There are some quality videos on YouTube on how to complete a head to toe assessment.