10 Questions New Grads Would Love to Ask a Recruiter

I am an intern at a pediatric cardiologist’s office. On clinical days I get to run ECGs (electrocardiogram) on tiny patients.

Wouldn't it be great to get the inside scoop from someone who actually knows what it takes to be hired? If there were 10 questions you could ask a recruiter/HR manager what would they be? Here are some of mine. I would love any feedback from those in the field.. Read More

Thanks to NICU Nurses

I'm an Active Duty Navy Pilot who is going back to school to get my MBA. My interest in Neonatal is personal as my eldest son was born at 25 weeks gestation (15 weeks early!!!) at 1lb 11oz. He was about as big as my hand. Thank God, he was born at a hospital in NYC with a Level 3 NICU and he spent 4 months there before the Navy arranged a MEDEVAC transfer to the Balboa Naval Hospital NICU where I am stationed here in San Diego. So apart from many long stories (happy to share) about those scary days, I'll start by... Read More

[Toon] 5 Tips in How To Adapt to Night Shift

Working night shift can be hazardous to your life. Here's 5 tips on how to adapt...

1. Paint your bedroom walls black (to sleep during the day)
2. Do not adopt a new pet (you don't want it waking you up while you sleep)
3. Stay away from the coffee (you'll end up in the bathroom every hour if you do)
4. Stay away from the Zombie in room 101
5. Ignore Vlad when he tells you to drink some of his Hawaiian Punch.

In the spirit of Halloween, add your night-shift tip... Read More

Would love to hear your stories of rewards of long term care nursing.

I am a new graduate RN, second career nurse, after being a stay home mom. I am interested in working in long term care. I have heard only negative stories from disgruntled nurses I met in school who worked in LTC. Please tell me they are the minority. They paint a picture that is not at all what I was expecting. Complaining about the physicians not caring about patients, the CNAs not doing their jobs and being rude about it, and heartless nurse supervisors. This is not at all what I envisioned. I realize that they aren't me, and their preception creates their reality, but these are the only LTC nurses I have ever met and the four of them were on the same page. Read More

Nurses dressing up for Halloween

Our company has sent a memo allowing us to dress up for Halloween and is even making a contest of it. Several nurses are really disgusted with the idea saying it is completely unprofessional. I've never dressed up for work, but I don't really care if others do. What is your view on the issue? Read More

New grads shouldn't work in ICU?

I graduated in May and was hired in a small town four bed ICU/IMC unit. I previously have experience in a 20 bed neurological ICU unit as a nurse extern, so I have some experience in critical care. I recently have heard from many I work with that I should not have been hired in the ICU as a new grad and that there is no way I'll be ready to work by myself since I need nursing experience before I gain critical thinking skills. This is extremely frustrating to me since I know I would be a capable and safe nurse in this unit working by myself, and my manager agrees. Any suggestions on how I can handle this negative feedback or has anyone experienced the same thing? Read More

My defining moment as a nurse...

Despite thousands of hours as a nurse, one phone call at home changed everything for me forever. It's funny how poised we can be while working with patients, but when one of our own is the patient, it is a paralyzing fear that makes us unable to function. However, if taken in context, the lessons learned can change our nursing practice forever. Read More

My defining moment as a new graduate nurse

The work day started as any typical day on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I arrived on the unit promptly at 6:30am to gather all pertinent information on my two critical patients. I printed off my cardiac EKG strips, looked up my patients’ history, physical and chief complaints and tried to plan my 12 hour shift accordingly. Read More

Feed me, Seymour! When patients want forbidden food...

I love people that ask for food that are in no condition to eat! Anyone have stories to share about patients begging for food, sneaking food, etc.

Example: Last week, when someone going out from the propofol so we could stick his dislocated shoulder back in, his last words were "Can you guys bring me some chips and soda..." Read More!

Nursing: Moment by Moment

I am proud of what I do. Many nurses can be controlling and co-dependent, but somebody has to do this job and do it well. Even if patients do feel vulnerable and humiliated, most nurses do respect their dignity. I think patients survive the humiliation we put them through because they know we care. Patients are fragile to begin with. A good nurse has to take charge, be gentle and firm, have a sense of humor, avoid pity, but be empathetic. One day my life might also be in the hands of a nurse. If this nurse has a big heart and brains to match, if her need for control is balanced with her compassion, if she is able to wear many hats, my vulnerability will yield to trust, because I will know that she has my best interest at heart, and that she truly cares. Read More

Going crazy trying to decide on a good online FNP program

Any suggestions on a program that you are enrolled in and or have completed that you enjoyed. There are so many out there to choose from and I'm getting overwhelmed. Please help, thanks! Read More

Nursing: The Caring Profession

You don't have to have a calling to be a good nurse, but you do have to care. I'd go so far as to say FIRST you have to care. Lots of great nurses are in it for the money, but one characteristic all great nurses share is that they care about their patients. I would argue that someone who doesn't care should not even BE a nurse! Read More