Wednesday, January 11, 2012
nurses where they can enjoy good living
ere are our three top picks for states where RNs can enjoy a great quality of living:
Florida: The salary is good, the weather is generally good—except during hurricane season, which you just have to learn to deal with and prepare for—and there are plenty of perks to living here, because Florida is fun. It’s full of attractions and great vacation spots. You can be outdoors year-round. Sure, the cost of food and housing in the tourist areas may be a tad high, but you don’t have to catch a plane to go to a vacation destination; you already live in one. And the state taxes are very low compared to other states. So it can be a bit of a balancing act to live here—be sure to find a home outside of the tourist zones and cities—but one that adds up to a great way of life.
Pennsylvania: The cost of living is 3.8 percent below the national average and RN wages are relatively high. Cities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Allentown have plenty to offer everyone, but you can also enjoy small-city or small-town life in this state, which has a low crime rate, a low unemployment rate and a government that focuses on providing excellent healthcare and a wide range of programs and services to make life easy, enjoyable and affordable.
Where are you working as an RN? Are you planning to relocate?
- Texas: You really can’t beat Texas. It offers a balance of exciting large cities like Houston and Dallas, and delightful smaller ones like San Antonio and Austin. House prices are relatively low, there are great colleges and universities for your children, and there’s the beautiful Gulf Coast to escape to for some rest and relaxation when you need it. Salaries are high, with Houston ranking as the 18th highest-paying city in the U.S. for RNs, with an hourly rate ranging from $22.12 to $38.59, according to PayScale, an online market research company that specializes in salary analysis.
Where are you working as an RN? Are you planning to relocate?
where is the job
Where the nursing jobs are
NursingLink.com, an arm of Monster.com, projects that over the next 10 years, the most job growth for RNs will occur in the following five states:
NursingLink.com, an arm of Monster.com, projects that over the next 10 years, the most job growth for RNs will occur in the following five states:
- California
- Florida
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
lowest salaries
Where the lowest nursing salaries are
According to the BLS, the lowest-paying states for RNs are the following:
According to the BLS, the lowest-paying states for RNs are the following:
- Iowa
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
highest salaries for nurses
The best and worst states to be an RN in 2012
Where the highest nursing salaries areCalifornia continues to rank as the highest-paying state for RNs, with the annual pay across all of the state’s major cities ranging from around $90,000 to more than $100,000. The BLS reports the following as the mean hourly wages for RNs in the states that are currently paying the most:
- California: $42.06 hourly mean wage
- New York: $35.58 hourly mean wage
- Texas: $31.82 hourly mean wage
- Pennsylvania: $31.29 hourly mean wage
- Florida: $30.29 hourly mean wage
4 rules for answering tough interview questions
http://nursinglink.monster.com/benefits/articles/19833-4-rules-for-answering-tough-interview-questions?page=2
last minute prep tips ofr nursing interview
Interviews can be pretty intimidating, so it’s understandable if you put off prepping for the big day because of nerves. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a cheat sheet of last-minute nursing interview prep tips, whether your interview is tomorrow afternoon — or two hours from now.
Procrastinators, rejoice. You still have a chance at that nursing job!
1. Dress Code
Looking the part really is half the battle. A professional interview outfit is part of making a good first impression. Ladies, keep it classy with appropriate heels, buttoned up shirts, and modest skirts. Avoid flashy jewelry, see-through blouses, and low-cut tops. Men, a pressed shirt and dress pants are always an easy option; consider a tie and a business jacket if it’s appropriate. Never wear sneakers or shorts, and do go easy on the cologne.
2. Research
Get out your smartphone for a quick Google search on your hospital. Read up on any recent news items that the organization is mentioned in and make sure you take a look at the hospital’s website. Familiarize yourself with their mission statement and general services. Expect to be asked why you want to work for this particular hospital; is the hospital famous for something? Do they offer a unique specialty? You should also prepare to be asked a handful of other tough interview questions about the organization’s history. This is challenging even for the most prepared of interviewees, so don’t worry if you find yourself stumped. But if you do some research beforehand, you won’t look like a deer in headlights.
3. Prep Materials
Always print out a copy of your health care resume and any related job materials so that you have it on hand for the interview. Don’t have a printer? Ran out of ink? Email the necessary documents to yourself and make a quick run to you local copy store. Worst case scenario: Email your resume to your interviewer just before your interview so at least they have a soft copy.
. Quiz Yourself
While it’s hard to predict exactly what you’ll be asked during your job interview, there are a handful of questions that you should be prepared for. Don’t be caught off guard when you’re asked to talk about your past nursing experiences or specific cases. Be prepared to recall detailed examples of your accomplishments. Practice with a friend, or even in front of a mirror. Listen to yourself and how you phrase your answers. Practice makes perfect!
5. First Impression
At its core, a good nursing interview is really about making a positive first impression. All that dressing professionally, arriving on time, and coming prepared won’t matter if you seem arrogant and self-absorbed. Carry yourself with a confidence — your positive, professional attitude won’t go unnoticed. However, if you feel that the interview is going south, it doesn’t hurt to ask if it’s possible to reschedule. Be polite and considerate of the big favor you are asking of your interviewer. After all, the worst that could happen is you don’t get the job. Better luck next time!
Procrastinators, rejoice. You still have a chance at that nursing job!
1. Dress Code
Looking the part really is half the battle. A professional interview outfit is part of making a good first impression. Ladies, keep it classy with appropriate heels, buttoned up shirts, and modest skirts. Avoid flashy jewelry, see-through blouses, and low-cut tops. Men, a pressed shirt and dress pants are always an easy option; consider a tie and a business jacket if it’s appropriate. Never wear sneakers or shorts, and do go easy on the cologne.
2. Research
Get out your smartphone for a quick Google search on your hospital. Read up on any recent news items that the organization is mentioned in and make sure you take a look at the hospital’s website. Familiarize yourself with their mission statement and general services. Expect to be asked why you want to work for this particular hospital; is the hospital famous for something? Do they offer a unique specialty? You should also prepare to be asked a handful of other tough interview questions about the organization’s history. This is challenging even for the most prepared of interviewees, so don’t worry if you find yourself stumped. But if you do some research beforehand, you won’t look like a deer in headlights.
3. Prep Materials
Always print out a copy of your health care resume and any related job materials so that you have it on hand for the interview. Don’t have a printer? Ran out of ink? Email the necessary documents to yourself and make a quick run to you local copy store. Worst case scenario: Email your resume to your interviewer just before your interview so at least they have a soft copy.
. Quiz Yourself
While it’s hard to predict exactly what you’ll be asked during your job interview, there are a handful of questions that you should be prepared for. Don’t be caught off guard when you’re asked to talk about your past nursing experiences or specific cases. Be prepared to recall detailed examples of your accomplishments. Practice with a friend, or even in front of a mirror. Listen to yourself and how you phrase your answers. Practice makes perfect!
5. First Impression
At its core, a good nursing interview is really about making a positive first impression. All that dressing professionally, arriving on time, and coming prepared won’t matter if you seem arrogant and self-absorbed. Carry yourself with a confidence — your positive, professional attitude won’t go unnoticed. However, if you feel that the interview is going south, it doesn’t hurt to ask if it’s possible to reschedule. Be polite and considerate of the big favor you are asking of your interviewer. After all, the worst that could happen is you don’t get the job. Better luck next time!
winning nursing job applicant
hat did the winning applicant have that you didn’t have? What did that person do that you didn’t do? If it seems that you’re getting passed over for every nursing position you apply for, it’s time to get an edge.
Whether you have loads of nursing experience or you’re a new grad and this is the first position you’re applying for, the truth is that you have to market yourself because the competition is tough for those coveted nursing jobs. Here are four ways to get an edge.
1. Networking
This is all about making and maintaining connections, and you can do this in so many different ways, like the following:
a) Create a business card and hand it out to people who are in administration positions or might have lines on nursing jobs. Collect their business cards and send them occasional messages (e.g., at Christmas or whenever you make a job transition) to let them know what you’re doing. The day may come when you’re the perfect fit for a position they know about.
b) If you’re planning on applying for a posted position, call the unit manager or the HR person to whom you’ll be sending your application. Introduce yourself, express enthusiasm about the position and give a quick pitch about yourself. Tell the individual that you’ll be sending in your application, and when it lands in front of that person, he or she will be able to put a voice to a name and think, “Oh yes, this was the person who….”
c) If you’re a new grad looking for a job or you’re between jobs, do some volunteer work at the hospital or clinic where you’d like to work. If you eventually apply for a job opening there, you’ll have an “in” because you’ll know many of the hospital staff and you’ll know the culture of the place.
d) After you’ve been interviewed for a position, send a thank you letter to the interviewing team. Even if you don’t get the job, these people may be there for a while and will likely remember you should you apply for another position in the future.
Next: Targeting the position you’re applying for →
. Targeting your cover letter, application form and resume for the position you’re applying for
The first impression you give a potential employer hinges on your application package, so take your time preparing it, and include everything you’re asked for. This is going to determine whether or not you get an interview.
“Though it sounds very basic, the first steps toward getting an interview include making sure that you meet the requirements for the position you’re applying for,” says Chris Wilson, MSN, RN-BC, Director of Clinical Education & Professional Development at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. “For example, if there is a minimum GPA, make sure you meet the requirement. Submitting your materials with attention to detail, completeness and according to directions is also key.”
But more than that, you absolutely have to target your application package for the specific nursing position you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a nurse educator position, for example, play up your experience and certifications related to—you guessed it—educating. If you’re applying for a position in geriatrics, play up your related experience and certifications. If you have none to play up, you might want to reconsider applying because there will undoubtedly be applicants much more “qualified” than you are, and there may be other positions you’re better suited for. Better yet, consider expanding your skills so that you’re qualified for the positions that come available and appeal to you.
Next: Possessing skills that are in demand →
Possessing skills that are in demand
“Nurses have a better chance of being employable throughout their careers if they stay abreast of healthcare trends and can respond to those trends by expanding their skills,” says Amy Bernard, RN, Director of Continuing Education at Western Schools, a nationally accredited online provider of continuing education for healthcare professionals. “While certification demonstrates expertise, it won’t help if those skills are no longer needed.”
Bernard cites several trends that should motivate nurses to expand their skills. “For example, the number of surgical cases is shifting from acute care hospitals to ambulatory care settings,” she says. “Acute care nurses who have never worked in an ambulatory setting may be at a disadvantage over nurses with broader backgrounds and experiences.”
The growth of the geriatric population is another trend. “As baby boomers transition into older adults, the number of older adults requiring healthcare in 2030 is expected to double to 72 million and represent almost 20 percent of the total population in the U.S.,” Bernard points out, advising that now is the time for nurses to take continuing education in this area so they’ll be ready for the inevitable demand for geriatric nurses.
Next: Mastering the interview process →
4. Mastering the interview process
So you’ve submitted a smashing application package for a nursing position and you’ve been selected for an interview because—on paper, at least—you have what the employer is looking for. It’s time to prepare because the interview is your ultimate marketing tool.
The interviewers will know the facts about you from your application package. What they’re going to put to the test during the interview are your communications and interpersonal skills, because no matter what type of nursing position you’re applying for, those skills are critical.
“Practice is key to answering these behavioral-based questions,” says Cynthia Christie, Assistant Dean for Career Services in the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. “Some of the areas that employers look for include teamwork, communication, initiative, and integrity and ethics. I recommend applicants give examples from a variety of settings, including both their academic and clinical experience. It has been said that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Therefore, employers utilize this type of questioning to identify candidates who have competencies in the areas that will make them successful new hires.”
The questions will be tough—unless you’re prepared. Here are interview prep tips for nurses, which include:
Now, get out there! You can start by posting your resume on our job board, which is accessed by hundreds of top recruiters nationwide!
Whether you have loads of nursing experience or you’re a new grad and this is the first position you’re applying for, the truth is that you have to market yourself because the competition is tough for those coveted nursing jobs. Here are four ways to get an edge.
1. Networking
This is all about making and maintaining connections, and you can do this in so many different ways, like the following:
a) Create a business card and hand it out to people who are in administration positions or might have lines on nursing jobs. Collect their business cards and send them occasional messages (e.g., at Christmas or whenever you make a job transition) to let them know what you’re doing. The day may come when you’re the perfect fit for a position they know about.
b) If you’re planning on applying for a posted position, call the unit manager or the HR person to whom you’ll be sending your application. Introduce yourself, express enthusiasm about the position and give a quick pitch about yourself. Tell the individual that you’ll be sending in your application, and when it lands in front of that person, he or she will be able to put a voice to a name and think, “Oh yes, this was the person who….”
c) If you’re a new grad looking for a job or you’re between jobs, do some volunteer work at the hospital or clinic where you’d like to work. If you eventually apply for a job opening there, you’ll have an “in” because you’ll know many of the hospital staff and you’ll know the culture of the place.
d) After you’ve been interviewed for a position, send a thank you letter to the interviewing team. Even if you don’t get the job, these people may be there for a while and will likely remember you should you apply for another position in the future.
Next: Targeting the position you’re applying for →
. Targeting your cover letter, application form and resume for the position you’re applying for
The first impression you give a potential employer hinges on your application package, so take your time preparing it, and include everything you’re asked for. This is going to determine whether or not you get an interview.
“Though it sounds very basic, the first steps toward getting an interview include making sure that you meet the requirements for the position you’re applying for,” says Chris Wilson, MSN, RN-BC, Director of Clinical Education & Professional Development at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. “For example, if there is a minimum GPA, make sure you meet the requirement. Submitting your materials with attention to detail, completeness and according to directions is also key.”
But more than that, you absolutely have to target your application package for the specific nursing position you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a nurse educator position, for example, play up your experience and certifications related to—you guessed it—educating. If you’re applying for a position in geriatrics, play up your related experience and certifications. If you have none to play up, you might want to reconsider applying because there will undoubtedly be applicants much more “qualified” than you are, and there may be other positions you’re better suited for. Better yet, consider expanding your skills so that you’re qualified for the positions that come available and appeal to you.
Next: Possessing skills that are in demand →
Possessing skills that are in demand
“Nurses have a better chance of being employable throughout their careers if they stay abreast of healthcare trends and can respond to those trends by expanding their skills,” says Amy Bernard, RN, Director of Continuing Education at Western Schools, a nationally accredited online provider of continuing education for healthcare professionals. “While certification demonstrates expertise, it won’t help if those skills are no longer needed.”
Bernard cites several trends that should motivate nurses to expand their skills. “For example, the number of surgical cases is shifting from acute care hospitals to ambulatory care settings,” she says. “Acute care nurses who have never worked in an ambulatory setting may be at a disadvantage over nurses with broader backgrounds and experiences.”
The growth of the geriatric population is another trend. “As baby boomers transition into older adults, the number of older adults requiring healthcare in 2030 is expected to double to 72 million and represent almost 20 percent of the total population in the U.S.,” Bernard points out, advising that now is the time for nurses to take continuing education in this area so they’ll be ready for the inevitable demand for geriatric nurses.
Next: Mastering the interview process →
4. Mastering the interview process
So you’ve submitted a smashing application package for a nursing position and you’ve been selected for an interview because—on paper, at least—you have what the employer is looking for. It’s time to prepare because the interview is your ultimate marketing tool.
The interviewers will know the facts about you from your application package. What they’re going to put to the test during the interview are your communications and interpersonal skills, because no matter what type of nursing position you’re applying for, those skills are critical.
“Practice is key to answering these behavioral-based questions,” says Cynthia Christie, Assistant Dean for Career Services in the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. “Some of the areas that employers look for include teamwork, communication, initiative, and integrity and ethics. I recommend applicants give examples from a variety of settings, including both their academic and clinical experience. It has been said that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Therefore, employers utilize this type of questioning to identify candidates who have competencies in the areas that will make them successful new hires.”
The questions will be tough—unless you’re prepared. Here are interview prep tips for nurses, which include:
- Your past nursing experiences
- Specific cases or people that have challenged you
- How you have dealt with difficult people (doctors, coworkers, patients)
- How you would deal with tough situations, such as being shortstaffed or having a coworker who is not a “team player”
- Detailed examples of your accomplishments
Now, get out there! You can start by posting your resume on our job board, which is accessed by hundreds of top recruiters nationwide!
what you should know on your new job
esson the First: Know where every bathroom in your building is.
This is actually both easier and more necessary than it sounds. Most modern hospitals have plumbing that’s centralized around a few points. Learn where those points are and you’ll never be without a biffy, even if you have to go down to the locked psych ward and beg to use one of theirs. I learned this early when, six weeks into my very first job, all of the bathrooms on my floor were being remodeled. Simultaneously. Nurses have big bladders, yes, but not that big.
Lesson the Second: Good pens are rarely cheap, and cheap pens are rarely good.
Does anybody even use pens anymore, what with all the computer charting? Let me tell you something, children: Back when I was first getting started, we had to walk 16 miles uphill to the office supply store to….oh, wait. Sorry. The lesson here is that the cheapo permanent markers and highlighters and stick pens that the hospital provides are rarely worth messing with. Buy your own. For a small outlay, you, too, can have one of those nifty Sharpies that hangs off of your ID tag along with all the other stuff you carry with you. And, speaking of carrying stuff…
Lesson the Third: You don’t really need all that impedimentia.
Calipers are nice to have if you’re working on a telemetry floor. A reflex hammer is nice, and a penlight is essential, if you’re doing neuro. I’ll bet you dollars to doghair, though, that somebody’s stashed at least one of whatever you need in a drawer somewhere. The only really critical things you need to have on your person at all times are coffee money and a stethoscope. The index cards, measuring tapes, quick-reference guides and so on can stay on your carefully staked-out turf where nobody will mess with it.
Lesson the Fourth: Learn where everybody’s “spots” are and stake out your own.
Each unit has its weirdo—the guy who gets really upset if you sit in “his” chair. Likewise, each unit has its own system of territory-staking. For my current unit, home is wherever your coffee cup is. In my previous unit, because we had only one nurses’ station, we all just sort of figured out where to dump our stuff and left everybody else’s alone. If you’re new on the job, your spot might be in the back, where the med students are, but eventually you’ll move up to the front of the station.
Lesson the Fifth: Not only are respiratory therapists great at getting nurses’ butts out of slings, but they also have the best coffee.
If you’re starting on night shift, this is vital to know.
Lesson the Sixth: Anything that’s good in the cafeteria or in the vending machines will be discontinued.
Once, many years ago, I saw some White Castle sliders in the big vending machine in the basement. I bought all of them and stashed them in a paper sack in the fridge. At the time, White Castles weren’t even available in the freezer section of your local grocery store and thus were like gold. Our vending machines haven’t had anything close to that good ever since, but I used those tiny, delicious burgers as currency with residents and attending physicians for a good month. Likewise, our cafeteria used to offer a tasty, healthy, low-fat grilled veggie buffet on Fridays. They don’t anymore. The takeaway? If you see something good, grab it, and don’t be surprised when they replace it with vaguely plasticky hot dogs and stale Ho Hos.
The Final Lesson: Nothing is as bad as it seems the first month (or six months) on the job.
I always tell the students I precept that it’s waaaay easier to be a nurse than it is to be a student. While this is true, it’s also true that for the first three months or so, being a nurse really sucks. You’re constantly overwhelmed and terrified, worried about what you’ll have to do next, and you never actually have time to do something thoroughly enough. This will change, I promise. Most of what you do as a nurse becomes routine after a while, so you can spend more time on actually nursing. Fear not, Chickadees. As your hip measurement increases with your time on the job, so do your confidence and efficiency.
Even without those oh-so-tasty little sliders.
This is actually both easier and more necessary than it sounds. Most modern hospitals have plumbing that’s centralized around a few points. Learn where those points are and you’ll never be without a biffy, even if you have to go down to the locked psych ward and beg to use one of theirs. I learned this early when, six weeks into my very first job, all of the bathrooms on my floor were being remodeled. Simultaneously. Nurses have big bladders, yes, but not that big.
Lesson the Second: Good pens are rarely cheap, and cheap pens are rarely good.
Does anybody even use pens anymore, what with all the computer charting? Let me tell you something, children: Back when I was first getting started, we had to walk 16 miles uphill to the office supply store to….oh, wait. Sorry. The lesson here is that the cheapo permanent markers and highlighters and stick pens that the hospital provides are rarely worth messing with. Buy your own. For a small outlay, you, too, can have one of those nifty Sharpies that hangs off of your ID tag along with all the other stuff you carry with you. And, speaking of carrying stuff…
Lesson the Third: You don’t really need all that impedimentia.
Calipers are nice to have if you’re working on a telemetry floor. A reflex hammer is nice, and a penlight is essential, if you’re doing neuro. I’ll bet you dollars to doghair, though, that somebody’s stashed at least one of whatever you need in a drawer somewhere. The only really critical things you need to have on your person at all times are coffee money and a stethoscope. The index cards, measuring tapes, quick-reference guides and so on can stay on your carefully staked-out turf where nobody will mess with it.
Each unit has its weirdo—the guy who gets really upset if you sit in “his” chair. Likewise, each unit has its own system of territory-staking. For my current unit, home is wherever your coffee cup is. In my previous unit, because we had only one nurses’ station, we all just sort of figured out where to dump our stuff and left everybody else’s alone. If you’re new on the job, your spot might be in the back, where the med students are, but eventually you’ll move up to the front of the station.
Lesson the Fifth: Not only are respiratory therapists great at getting nurses’ butts out of slings, but they also have the best coffee.
If you’re starting on night shift, this is vital to know.
Lesson the Sixth: Anything that’s good in the cafeteria or in the vending machines will be discontinued.
Once, many years ago, I saw some White Castle sliders in the big vending machine in the basement. I bought all of them and stashed them in a paper sack in the fridge. At the time, White Castles weren’t even available in the freezer section of your local grocery store and thus were like gold. Our vending machines haven’t had anything close to that good ever since, but I used those tiny, delicious burgers as currency with residents and attending physicians for a good month. Likewise, our cafeteria used to offer a tasty, healthy, low-fat grilled veggie buffet on Fridays. They don’t anymore. The takeaway? If you see something good, grab it, and don’t be surprised when they replace it with vaguely plasticky hot dogs and stale Ho Hos.
The Final Lesson: Nothing is as bad as it seems the first month (or six months) on the job.
I always tell the students I precept that it’s waaaay easier to be a nurse than it is to be a student. While this is true, it’s also true that for the first three months or so, being a nurse really sucks. You’re constantly overwhelmed and terrified, worried about what you’ll have to do next, and you never actually have time to do something thoroughly enough. This will change, I promise. Most of what you do as a nurse becomes routine after a while, so you can spend more time on actually nursing. Fear not, Chickadees. As your hip measurement increases with your time on the job, so do your confidence and efficiency.
Even without those oh-so-tasty little sliders.
becoming in-de-pen-dent nurse
In” – It’s about being “in” your zone. It’s that feeling that you can go from relaxing and getting your coffee while talking to co-workers straight to getting report without feeling flustered. When you’re “in” you’re finally able to switch on and off without it messing with your brain and stressing you.
“De” – The “de” stands for dependent. “Doesn’t that throw off the whole meaning of the word ‘independent’?” you might ask … NO! Becoming an independent nurse means knowing that you’re still dependent on others to make it through your day. You’re dependent on someone to double-check a medication for you, or dependent on your charge nurse to help you through a rough situation. It’s partly a dependence on the docs, and a dependence on your aides. Nurses can’t be nurses alone.
“Pen” – This stands for your charting, for covering your bases and remembering that age-old saying that if it wasn’t charted, it wasn’t done. But it also stands for getting organized. Becoming independent is about that moment when you get to work and you know what you need to write down and how to write it so that you can have an efficient, productive and organized day.
“Dent” – “Dent” is the constant reminder that despite becoming more comfortable in my skill level, I’ve still only made but a dent in my career as a nurse. Even though I’ve learned a lot in these 11 weeks, there’s still a ton to come in the next 11 weeks, and then more still in 11 months and years and so on. Being an independent nurse means you’re constantly learning from your experiences and changing your practice to keep up with the times.
I’m becoming more independent, but I am learning that skill and tasks are only part of the job. Eleven more weeks until I’m truly working on my own … I better keep learning!
“De” – The “de” stands for dependent. “Doesn’t that throw off the whole meaning of the word ‘independent’?” you might ask … NO! Becoming an independent nurse means knowing that you’re still dependent on others to make it through your day. You’re dependent on someone to double-check a medication for you, or dependent on your charge nurse to help you through a rough situation. It’s partly a dependence on the docs, and a dependence on your aides. Nurses can’t be nurses alone.
“Dent” – “Dent” is the constant reminder that despite becoming more comfortable in my skill level, I’ve still only made but a dent in my career as a nurse. Even though I’ve learned a lot in these 11 weeks, there’s still a ton to come in the next 11 weeks, and then more still in 11 months and years and so on. Being an independent nurse means you’re constantly learning from your experiences and changing your practice to keep up with the times.
I’m becoming more independent, but I am learning that skill and tasks are only part of the job. Eleven more weeks until I’m truly working on my own … I better keep learning!
first day on the job (for travel nursing)
Here’s her checklist. Would you add any advice?
- Get an extra head start on your shift, always accounting for traffic. If you arrive early, you can walk around and get a feel for the unit.
- If necessary, check in with the human resources department before you go to the unit.
- Sign in.
- Introduce yourself to the management.
- Introduce yourself to the experienced nurse you’ll be shadowing that day. This nurse will give you an orientation.
- Introduce yourself to the rest of the staff.
- Find out the nurse’s mandatory paperwork requirements.
- Obtain information on the facility’s procedures and policies.
- Find out how lunch breaks are handled.
- Bring paper for note-taking or find out if the facility takes reports on printed-out patient summaries. If yes, obtain the printout report sheets.
- Work your day like you would at any other facility by assessing the patients, pulling medicines and sending them to tests and procedures.
- At the end of the day, give your report to the oncoming nurse.
- Breathe a deep sigh, reflect on the people you helped and go home to rest up for tomorrow.
nurses have sixth sense
Nurses do indeed have a sixth sense. No, I didn’t misspell “sick” sense. I mean, we have an instinct that civilians don’t have.
The nursing “sixth sense” is that moment when your gut gets those “butterflies,” or when A plus B does not equal C.
It’s a part of that ever-important skillset of critical thinking, but it’s also a separate entity altogether. Maybe you can call it a form of ESP:
The nursing “sixth sense” is that moment when your gut gets those “butterflies,” or when A plus B does not equal C.
It’s a part of that ever-important skillset of critical thinking, but it’s also a separate entity altogether. Maybe you can call it a form of ESP:
nursing as a career
Stop pawning off the “dirty” duties
Taking the wheel is okay, but it’s not a permanent job
Transporting patients is no easy task, ever. Whether it’s in a cart or a bed, pushing and pulling it is tough enough. Now add some transfusing IVs, multiple drains, tube feedings and possibly mechanical ventilation and you have an entirely different animal. Navigating down halls, in the elevator and through doorways requires a great deal of ingenuity, but it also requires a great deal of physical labor. The steering portion of this entourage is usually the least taxing. Do us a favor and be sure to have your hands full and take on the brunt of the labor some of the time.
When you ask for assistance in a room and your patient just exercised his or her bathroom privileges, STOP passively getting us to do the dirty work. No, no, no, I’ll be more than happy to hold during the turn. Besides, the last time I checked, this is your patient, and part of our responsibility is to assess and reassess. Can’t do a whole lot of assessing from the wrong side. Grr.
Taking the wheel is okay, but it’s not a permanent job
Transporting patients is no easy task, ever. Whether it’s in a cart or a bed, pushing and pulling it is tough enough. Now add some transfusing IVs, multiple drains, tube feedings and possibly mechanical ventilation and you have an entirely different animal. Navigating down halls, in the elevator and through doorways requires a great deal of ingenuity, but it also requires a great deal of physical labor. The steering portion of this entourage is usually the least taxing. Do us a favor and be sure to have your hands full and take on the brunt of the labor some of the time.
hospital visitation:
A recent article at Nurse.com sparked my interest. Limited (or scheduled) visitation versus unlimited visitation hours?
As a nurse, the reflex answer should be: Whatever is better for the patient.
the profession with no excuse
But in light of the new year, I vowed to be a more positive person with an optimistic outlook. During this little introspective session, I realized that in our profession, if you don’t like it, change it. That’s the beauty of the job.
Take advantage of any educational classes that your institution might offer. For example, if your institution offers free ACLS for everyone, don’t ignore that just because you work in a Pediatric unit. Take the class–you never know when you might want to hop on over to the adult ortho unit!
I tell nurses to ensure that they have their own five-year plan. That way, no one else tries to make it up for you!
As a nurse, the reflex answer should be: Whatever is better for the patient.
the profession with no excuse
But in light of the new year, I vowed to be a more positive person with an optimistic outlook. During this little introspective session, I realized that in our profession, if you don’t like it, change it. That’s the beauty of the job.
Take advantage of any educational classes that your institution might offer. For example, if your institution offers free ACLS for everyone, don’t ignore that just because you work in a Pediatric unit. Take the class–you never know when you might want to hop on over to the adult ortho unit!
I tell nurses to ensure that they have their own five-year plan. That way, no one else tries to make it up for you!
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