Well, It's Med-Surg Per Diem

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I have tried to get into a psych hospital per diem through an agency, but for now, it didn't work out. I was (and still am) a bit disgusted about their choice not to use me, but then, I thought about it. This same agency is used at my job for nurses and decided to finally jump into med-surg per diem. I asked around for psych and am not sure if the supervisors for in patient decided to lie for their own needs, but they told me that they primarily use RNs in psych, because the LPNs that already work there have first choice for overtime through agency and they take advantage of it. They offered me med-surg. I decided to take it. I have to do two days of orientation (I already did it as a new grad for 6 weeks and another time for two days orientation before, but never returned). They were willing to work around my clinic hours, so I will do 6/25 and 7/2 before I go brave it out on my own.

I do have a friend that is very close to an administrator who does work in psych and she told her about me. This woman does want to see my resume and seemed to be interested because she seems to feel that if I am a friend of this dependable woman, I may be worth a shot. I will see from both ends what the best thing to do will be.

The LPNs in med surg primarily administer medications and that is about it, but, they medicate about 15 patients (including IV medications), and I feel that I would like to start on evenings or nights, when the medication passes are much lighter and it would give me a chance to get a bit more acclimated to the pyxis and documenting the med pass on line. Also, as I get more confident, I would sure help the RNs with other things such as dressings, catheterizations and other duties, just to learn.

The clinic will always be my 'home base'. It is rare that new nurses get to say that they started out with weekends and holidays off and I refuse to give it up. But, it is also nice to be able to say that I am getting experience at my own hospital in many areas, when I feel like it...like being the master of my own fate. I'll also do most holidays-they are not that important to me. Looks like things happen for a reason! Please, everyone, wish me luck and if there is any advice that any hospital LPNs can offer to survive the med-surg madness, like organizational skills, let me know!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Also, I might add, that it is nice to have med-surg added to my resume!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

good luck!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Yeah, Commuter, I'm going to do my thing...it is time. I definitely feel like a knowledgable nurse in my clinic, in spite of the horrific challenges I mentioned in past posts, and I plan to stay there until they kick me out. But, I do want more correlation and experience. It's nice to have control over how much I plan to do.

[Jules A, MSN]

They are very lucky to have you and I bet that once you get your routine down if you are interested you can find a cool nurse that will let you try other stuff too. Many congratulations!!

:anpom:

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

They are very lucky to have you and I bet that once you get your routine down if you are interested you can find a cool nurse that will let you try other stuff too. Many congratulations!!

:anpom:

(((Jules A))) Thanks a bunch! And, for sure, I plan to get a real cool nurse to show me everything I need to know. I am a bit anxious, but, this is what I need. It works because it doesn't take me from my main job at the clinic, I can go when I want to, and learn all I need to gain experience. I would like to go back into home care, and need the skills to do better bedside care.

[Jules A, MSN]

I am a bit anxious, but, this is what I need. It works because it doesn't take me from my main job at the clinic, I can go when I want to, and learn all I need to gain experience.

Anxious can also mean excited. :) Taking on new challenges definitely keeps your mind fresh and the contacts you make could be invaluable in the future. Your new team will be impressed by your brains/work ethic and that will energize you.

Once I get my self organized I think I'm going to try for a PRN spot on a pediatric neuro-psych unit. Working all the time keeps me out of trouble and off the streets, lol.

[Fiona59]

Evenings are my world. In theory the workload should be lighter but if the OR backs up my unit has had upto 6 fresh post-ops return between 1830 and 2100.

The main thing is to encourage independence of the patients. We just don't do hs care on anyone that is ambulatory and foley free. If you can walk to the phone you can brush your own teeth.

Get your dressing changes done as soon as you can. That is a biggie for me. Are you serious about the patient ratio? On evenings we have five and nights are 7-8.

Oh, and if wound vacs are around they should be changed by day shift. Just learn how to change the cannisters and ask for help if you ever get stuck with the dressing, between the sterile technique and assorted snafus that occur changing those puppies we usually just take two staff in the second pair of hands leaves as soon as the foam is cut and the seal layer applied.

Pain med. everyone and gravol works great when there are no hs sleep meds.

Good luck. Surgical evenings are never boring. Ok, some are but the residents are usually so clueless they keep us entertained.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Good luck, pagandeva!

You're a fine nurse. I'm sure you'll shine.

[RNDreamer]

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Yes, I will keep everyone posted. I am having orientation for two Wednesdays and then, I am on my own. I'll probably schedule two Saturdays a month, and occasional holidays. Wish me luck!

[Lexxie, LPN]

Good luck Pagandeva!! Hopefully the different atmosphere will be a nice change of pace for you. My full time job is in LTC and my part time job is w/e's in an Urgent Care Center. The urgent care center has only been open a few months now and it's not extremely busy yet. So I like knowing that I won't have a super stressful day going into it (unlike my LTC job!).