Related: Hospital Nursing, job hunting, Job Search, Nursing Jobs

After being laid-off twice since graduating last year, I finally got a job offer as an Acute Care Traveling Apheresis RN (I'll cover 74 hosp in a 75-mile radius). This job sounds awesome---lots of autonomy; I won't be stuck in one place for 8+ hours, 1:1 patient contact; cutting-edge technology in a highly specialized field (which will soon boom b/c of the stem cell stuff [...]

I've been searching for words of encouragement since my first patient death the night before last--anything that will help me get back to my nursing job.

I graduated in May 2009 and began my first nursing job on a telemetry monitored vascular unit in August. I just ventured on my own after three months of orientation. The night before last was just like any other [...]

Related: Attitude, Caregiving, Caring, Patient Advocate

I work in a relatively small ER: 24 beds including hall beds. I am a newcomer to this area, and almost everyone has experience in emergency medicine (in one capacity or another) for much longer than I have. Perhaps this is partly why I interact with patients the way I do, as opposed to the way I see many other nurses do.

From my observations, [...]

Related: Balance, Feelings, Job Search, Nursing Jobs, Service Nursing

After being laid-off twice since graduating last year, I finally got a job offer as an Acute Care Traveling Apheresis RN (I'll cover 74 hosp in a 75-mile radius). This job sounds awesome--lots of autonomy; I won't be stuck in one place for 8+ hours, 1:1 patient contact; cutting-edge technology in a highly specialized field (which will soon boom b/c of the stem cell stuff [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Job Search, Learning, Mindset, New Grad, New Nurse Tips, Nursing Jobs, Second Career Nursing

I know that it is frustrating trying to find a nursing job right now for new graduates. I've been looking for over a year now.

I graduated in 2007 with my BSN and passed the NCLEX. I had a few job offers before I graduated from school, but the effects of the economy eliminated those opportunities. I haven't been picky looking for opportunities. I have been [...]

Related: Balance, Caregiving, Compassion Fatigue, Critical Care Nursing, Energy, Healthy Living, New Nurse, Night Shift, Nursing Shortage, Stress, Support

I am a nurse on a cardiovascular floor. I have been there for a couple of years and can't help but notice the increasing acuity of the patients.

Our nurse/patient ratio is 1:5/6. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some people, but most of the patients we take care of have a list 20 miles long of medical conditions, which only adds to [...]

Related: Healthy Living, Problem Solving, Work-Life Balance

It started with the aches. I thought, what did I do to my back? Did I pull it or something? Quickly I discovered I had a low grade fever, adequately controlled by Tylenol.

Next day, same thing, not nearly as well controlled. I thought I had some kind of weird vague virus that would pass.

Three days later I sit here in my bed after having to [...]

Related: Anger, Assertiveness, Boundaries, Caregiving, Communication, Expectations, Feelings, Patience, Patients, Problem Solving, Professionalism

I have been a nurse for nine months and work in a busy ER outside of Washington DC. I often find myself dealing with "Frequent Flyers" and people who misuse the emergency system (i.e., I'm fairly certain the rash you've had for six months did not just today become an emergency).

I am really struggling with how to deal with some of these difficult patients. I [...]

Related: Anger, Assertiveness, Attitude, Communication, Complaints, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors, Emotions, Expectations, Feedback, Feelings, Hostility, Non-Verbal Language, Respect, Student Nurse, Support

I am a 4th-year BSN student , and part of our OB clinical experience was to follow an OB/GYN last week.  It was a horrible experience.

First, I was put in a room with 3rd-year med students, which was great because I introduced myself and got to chat with them about their program.

Then I waited over an hour for someone to acknowledge me.  (I was escorted [...]

Related: Anxiety, Confidence, Emotions, Feelings, Mistake, Patients, Student Nurse

I have been an RN for almost two years now. I worked in a Special Care Unit till now, and I am training in the ER (my dream job). I have made mistakes since becoming a nurse and I always keep them with me. (I expect perfection from myself.)

Generally, though, when I make mistakes, I realize I have the best intentions and am able to [...]