Working the floor after a job interview!? WOW!...

[CritCareTech]

Not a nurse, but I think this section fits perfectly! I come from EMS and started at a trauma center on the COVID unit as a PCT in 2020. 

I progressed into a more advanced PCT role in a different ICU which gave me a lot of experience. 

I applied on Tyesday for a Medical and Surgical ICU position (Senior PCT) at a local well-known hospital. The job was posted on Monday and I did my interview yesterday. 

I came dressed in formal attire and the interview was very pleasant. It was honestly more conversational and casual than anything else. She even said I could skip some "What if questions" if I wanted to, but opted to not skip any. We shared a lot of interest, such as military service and working EMS.

She toured the unit with me which was ramping with COVID. I did my peer review with the on-shift advanced PCT who thought during the whole time, I was an RN. I laughed and was like "Oh no, definetly not a nurse!".

The hiring manager (clinician) said "Oh I wished you brought your scrubs with you so you can jump in and help by working the floor for a bit". I go "Oh I did, they're in  my satchel". She was like "You don't need to if you don't want to stay" and I go "It's perfectly fine!" 

Fast forward, I changed into scrubs and helped work the floor for 2-hours. I was introduced to all the staff and had some pleasant discussions with the RNs and attendings!

Then the hiring manager goes "Oh the CRNAs bought everyone lunch, go eat" and I'm like "I'm just interviewing" and she goes "No, you're gonna go eat!" Like I was stunned to be included in so much. 

At the very end they thanked me for coming and giving them a hand, and said "We'll be in contact with you in a few days". 

Does it seem promising to you? I told them I have an interview on Monday with their primary level 1 trauma center ICU and they really talked down on it - so maybe it'll light the fire under them to hire quickly due to staff shortages? 

I'm a PCT/CCT with my EMT, BLS, PALS, ACLS, and TCCC which they seemed to be heavily surprised at. 

Thank you all and stay safe! 

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

22 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

I work outpatient dialysis. I haven't worked in a hospital for 10+ years, but have friends who do. JC rules acute care facilities. State generally gets everything else. Let someone get caught practicing out of scope, and heads will roll

Interesting, because I haven't seen a single head roll in five years (clinic setting). I haven't even seen the axewoman/man in the building!!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

14 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

Interesting, because I haven't seen a single head roll in five years (clinic setting). I haven't even seen the axewoman/man in the building!!

Every setting is required to have a survey every "x" amount of years-x varies by setting/specialty. Covid has set some of those survey schedules back. There was a dialysis clinic in my state that had an IJ incident while state was doing its survey. Patients were immediately rinsed back, and they and staff sent home for the day. Management and regional director spent the rest of the day going over corrective action plans. This was a Wednesday. Other clinics had to intake the affected patients until the next Monday (mine was one that took some of them). State spent the next 8 weeks in that clinic, until they were satisfied that the action plan was being met. I've traveled to work at that clinic, and the staff has definitely changed how they operate, and walk on eggshells. It's not a good thing for the psyche, when something like that occurs, but it is good for patients from a safety standpoint

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

16 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Every setting is required to have a survey every "x" amount of years-x varies by setting/specialty. Covid has set some of those survey schedules back. There was a dialysis clinic in my state that had an IJ incident while state was doing its survey. Patients were immediately rinsed back, and they and staff sent home for the day. Management and regional director spent the rest of the day going over corrective action plans. This was a Wednesday. Other clinics had to intake the affected patients until the next Monday (mine was one that took some of them). State spent the next 8 weeks in that clinic, until they were satisfied that the action plan was being met. I've traveled to work at that clinic, and the staff has definitely changed how they operate, and walk on eggshells. It's not a good thing for the psyche, when something like that occurs, but it is good for patients from a safety standpoint

Big difference between JC and the state it seems...

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

5 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

Big difference between JC and the state it seems...

Wow, I remember when JC showed up at random all the time. Seems like now, they don't want to know 

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

"Every setting is required to have a survey every "x" amount of years-x varies by setting/specialty"

I'm sure dialysis is under its own scrutiny. I have seen an infection preventionist walk through and make recommendations, that's all. I've never known of anyone listening to phone conversations to determine whether MAs are triaging. They are allowed to relay a provider's message "word for word", that's all. They are definitely working beyond their scope. Most of my years working were before Covid, so this was occurring way before the pandemic.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

58 minutes ago, 2BS Nurse said:

"Every setting is required to have a survey every "x" amount of years-x varies by setting/specialty"

I'm sure dialysis is under its own scrutiny. I have seen an infection preventionist walk through and make recommendations, that's all. I've never known of anyone listening to phone conversations to determine whether MAs are triaging. They are allowed to relay a provider's message "word for word", that's all. They are definitely working beyond their scope. Most of my years working were before Covid, so this was occurring way before the pandemic.

Dialysis and other clinics is every 3 years in my state, unless a complaint is made

Home health and hospice every 2 years unless a complaint is made

LTC,  LTACH, group homes are annual, unless a complaint is made

Hospitals are bi-annual (2 years) with state and 3 years with JC unless a complaint is made

I know my state isn't the only one this way, and dialysis isn't the only specialty under scrutiny, as you can see. I have been involved in surveys in multiple settings over 28 years. During a survey, they will look/listen to who's doing what, observe, make sure competencies are up to date, and assure that the work being done is in the scope of practice. 

Case in point, 15ish years ago, an LPN was starting an IV, which was not in scope (at least not at that time in that state), and the hospital got dinged. Manager got her behind chewed, and LPN got her walking papers, it was a state survey. So, it does happen. You just don't hear about it often, even if it does occur

 

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

I saw a MA get a "talking to" for not wearing gloves to clean and then not sanitizing her hands after exiting a room (infection prevention). She continued the behavior knowing there would be no future repercussions. Honestly, I don't think the higher ups really gave a sh%$!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

1 minute ago, 2BS Nurse said:

I saw a MA get a "talking to" for not wearing gloves to clean and then not sanitizing her hands after exiting a room (infection prevention). She continued the behavior knowing there would be no future repercussions. Honestly, I don't think the higher ups really gave a sh%$!

They don't until it bites them in the behind. Then they become very conscientious ?