2013 National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition

Earn more than 30 continuing nursing education contact hours at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI), May 18-23, 2013, in Boston. Enhance your knowledge, learn best practices, see new technologies, network with colleagues and improve your practice. Learn more and Register Today!

Float pool, would I be in over my head?

I was recently visiting one of the university hospitals and while trying to get directions to HR, was sent in the direction of the float pool nursing recruiter. She was helping get me to HR but then started asking me what kind of position I was looking for, what experience I have, my shift preference, etc. When I mentioned I prefer night shift, and want full time work, she got almost giddy, grabbed my arm, and insisted on giving me her card, saying things like 'I'll still send you over to HR, I don't want to steal you from them if you want to work directly for a floor.' Read More

How is your full moon like?

We all know that it gets crazy during a full moon. How is your full moon? Please share your stories. Read More

For the experienced nurses...

I am wondering if any of you can think back over the years and come up with just ONE thing that you know now that you wish you would have known when you first started out as a nurse. I will be finished with school in May and then I will take boards shortly after. This field is becoming more and more competitive and I would love to somehow "stand out" among the other nurses, without feeling like show off. Any advice? Read More

57 and need to start over YET AGAIN!

I need some help. I just joined the site. I am working as a radiology nurse in small imaging facility. Its been a great job. Unfortunately we are shutting our doors 12/2013. I am worried sick. I live in a small area. I'd rather not go back into hospital. I just feel nursing is over as I knew it in a hospital setting. I can't even get a call for a nursing home. I truly think my age is working against me. Read More

Can visitors be 'forced' to wear PPE?

We recently had a patient with an influenza requiring droplet isolation. Visitors (the parents) flatly refused to wear a face mask in the room, despite frequent education. The parent did sanitize their hands before entering/leaving the room but did leave several times to use the bathroom and get something to eat. Our nurse manager attempted to address it with the parents as well, but to no avail, and the parents actually ended up getting very upset.

With the JC expected to come to our unit any day, this raised the question on our unit- Can visitors be forced to wear PPE when visiting patients with infectious disease? Read More

Young, Thin, and Cute New Hires

To combat the chronically low patient satisfaction scores, the managerial staff implemented a mix of interventions which they believed would make patients and families feel more 'cared for.' Hourly rounds, bedside rounding at the change of shift, more scripting, and more smiles have been put into action without much positive effect on the Press Ganey scores.

"What was management's next solution?" you're probably wondering. Administration announced they were hiring good people who were more friendly, skilled, positive, and indicated during their interviews that they actually wanted to care for patients. Well, the latest new hires have initiated more questions than answers. Read More

Could my license be at risk?

Since I had no luck finding a LVN job, I have registered with a staffing agency for work. The type of work for a new grad with no experience for them is working as a school nurse. Which I don't consider it as a school nurse but basically, what I will be doing is follow a student (with some type of condition; for example, diabetic, epileptic, etc) around school, monitoring or giving the kid his/her med. I will only be filing in when they need someone and if a case do come up, I may be considered for the job which is for the entire school year. It doesn't pay much but I am desperate for a job, anything to get my foot wet working as a LVN. The thing is that my husband doesn't want me to take on something like that because he is afraid I may lose my license quicker because I am on my own with the child. So, have any one of you worked doing something like that? Read More

OB Nurse wanting feedback on Fastaff

I am a labor and delivery/postpartum nurse who is considering applying with Fastaff. I am not married, no children, and like the idea of what Fastaff advertises (travel assignments on short notice, good pay, shorter assignments, etc.) I would very much appreciate your feedback (good or bad) about working with Fastaff. Read More!

How to work your notice, gracefully

So you have decided to leave your current job, you've had enough of working hard, no teamwork, you don't like your boss, co-worker, management, the drive is too long, the acuity is too high, you never get a break and you hate bedside nursing. Yes there are numerous reasons why you want to leave and get a new job, I could go on for pages for the reasons nurses are leaving their job but this article is about how to manage yourself while you are working out your notice.

Whatever the reason I personally believe there is a way to give your notice in and leave gracefully. Don't shut the door behind you, leave it ajar. Trust me you just never know if you might need to go back, or how your reputation could follow you. Read More...

Want a Master's Degree With an Oncology Focus but Don't Want to Leave Bedside!

I am an Associate's Degree Oncology RN who is about to receive a BSN in July from Kean University. I work at Somerset Medical Center in NJ as a staff nurse and would like to achieve a Master's degree with an oncologic focus.

I love my current position...I was just hired to this floor in August and I am in LOVE with this field of nursing. I would like to further my education in Oncology;however, possibly with a focus in palliative care...what is out there for me where I can keep my current position as a staff nurse? Read More

Which would you recommend?

Which kind of shoes would you recommend for myself? A new grad, will be working in critical care with a ratio of 1:3. I am 6'2" and weight 370lbs; decreasing that number has been a goal and work in progress so far. During my 12 hr shifts, I would at times get home and after cooling down my right plantar area would hurt when walking initially {plantar fasciatis?} and also at times my knees. I understand the weight is a huge contributor and that's why I am working to lose it.. Meanwhile, I need some shoes that you guys on the heavy side my be able to recommend? Read More