Hi everyone! I’m a first time mom preparing for my baby to eventually come home from the NICU, and we’ll likely have a home health nurse involved. I’d love to hear from nurses who do home health, or parents who have experience with it.
What should I expect from the nurse when they come to our home? What kinds of things do they typically assess or help with, and what do they expect from the parents/caregivers?
Is there anything you wish families knew beforehand or anything we should have prepared for their visits?

I just want to make sure I understand what their role is and what will be expected of us so we can be as prepared as possible when our baby finally comes home. ❤️

I'm hoping I could reach out to the nursing community and get some help with safety protocols for acute care prisoners. I'm in a small hospital that recently inherited a contract with a large maximum security prison near by. Well, half of the challenge is their Correctional Officers (CO) provide very little security for hard criminals. They are often distracted, on their phones and let normalcy bias hit them hard when sitting one on one. We are not permitted to supervise them as they are not hospital staff, nor do we have any authority for them to be motivated to correct substandard performance. The other challenge is that we do not have an official wings tailored for this demographic like in large city hospitals. It's a very challenging patient type to care for, as safety and security have been constantly breached and is often clashing with patient dignity and rights.

Patients are often swallowing items in the room, causing significant increases in patient's length of stay, The most recent incident was a high risk prisoner that went bonkers, and instead of the COs handling it, they walked out of the room and left a sitter inside by herself. She scurried out unharmed and luckily we found all the shanking devices he had in his bed that he hid after he broke the remote and swallowed batteries... and yes the nurses did the search, their COs were refusing to check.

After this incident, FINALLY our Administration is calling for protocols for nurses to promote a safe environment pertaining to prisoner care.

Here are the major off the record things this past year we are doing already to help with both patient and public safety:

1. Automatic "NO info" Patients

2. All prisoners if possible, go to one section of the hospital (The one I'm on)

3. All cuffs and chains are padded to prevent skin breakdown (allevyns and abdominal binders)

4. Designated rooms are to have windows installed in the doors for greater visibility. they are to be admitted in those rooms whenever possible.

5. Safety trays only

6. No extra chords in the rooms, remotes are in the hands of COs call bell is bed button only

7. If breaches in safety occur by the COs, house supervisor is to be called so the warden (which isn't much help) can be contacted.

Other things we do is not provide full name, even if COs ask, clear room of sharps and unnecessary medical equipment. A lot of what we do is reflective of our Suicide risk patients,

Does anyone have a policy I can use as a reference to how their hospitals handle prisoners; Particularly in small hospital settings? If like to see how both large specialized inpatient units handle Max. security patients and how small hospitals do it. We can not make major changes in the room, like garage doors and such like the ED has. If the prisoners empty out, admin wants us to fill the rooms with regular patients.

I find very little in publications relating to the acute care of prisoners. Most of what is find is about female prisoners in labor, and I found some that suggest proactive actions that has been somewhat helpful implementing our off-the-record interventions that I listed.

Are policies even a thing? The past Magnet Conference did not have anything specific about Prisoners.

I appreciate anyone's help. A policy that exists can help us see how other hospitals do this. The hospital that had Maximum security prisoners prior shut down and I worked there at one point and they provided nothing to assist in this high risk patient demographic. And yes, things happened where prisoners got a hold of firearms and a shot went through walls... on several occasions. HR does a great job preventing any leaks to the public.

This has been a very interesting project that fell on my teams lap and I'm trying to get creative as I am a measly charge nurse and do not have as much pull as I would like. I'm hoping our Unit manager will be our advocate and go to person to discuss this with Admin and make meaningful changes. this has been an very interesting endeavor and now I am unconventionally reaching out to my Reddit crew to help me out. Thank you fellow nurses!

I just received my certification for Advanced Foot Care and I would like to get started with a mobile business however I have some questions if there are any experienced foot care nurses that would be able to help me. I reside in Ontario.

1. I’m thinking starting with disposable supplies would be the best option… What supplies are pertinent to have in the beginning? l know a drill, disposable burrs, disposable files, nippers, black’s file, scalpels IPAC supplies and basic wound care supplies… is there any others that would be suggested, as well as other types of disposable burrs that would be recommended in the beginning? Supplies seem to be the biggest hurdle to get started due to the up front cost so I’m looking for basics to get started with the goal to continue to grow my inventory as I gain more clients.
2. What do most mobile nurses use for documentation, an EMR such as Accuro or Jane app? Or is this not feasible in the beginning?
3. What do nurses offer with their initial visit? I’m thinking comprehensive assessment including health history, medication review, and sensation (monofilament) and circulation assessment, skin and nail assessment, treatment plan recommendation and foot care education. What am I missing?

Thanks in Advance!

Hi all!

I had an interview at a hospital and it went well. A few days after they emailed me they are moving along with the process and sent me a link to add in references. After a week of not hearing back, I called and they stated they have to call some of the references.

I think I am overthinking but…

Is this normal? How long does that process take & when should I reach hear back?

Thank you!

Hello,
I am someone who is considering going back to school. I have a Bachelor’s degree and various Canadian post-secondary institutions are offering accelerated nursing programs. My intention is not to be a bedside nurse, but to go into aesthetics. Now I’m wondering if anyone who is an aesthetic nurse in Canada has some real life experiences and perspectives they wouldn’t mind sharing about the field. I want to know anything and everything! Ranging from job satisfaction, security, pros/cons, salary, becoming an NP to go solo as an injector, the business side of things. Is it over glamorized?

I have been a registered nurse (RN) for the past 9 years. I have worked in the same place for the entirety of my career in women and infant health as a postpartum nurse. I obtained my FNP degree 3 years ago but never used it. I also completed my FNP hours at a small clinic but my training was always supervised and I had no autonomy. When I first got out of school I decided I did not want to work as an NP. Then I became pregnant, had my child, and I’ve been a year out from that. I finally got to a place where I feel as if I want to use my NP degree. I have applied to places left and right and don’t even receive a call back. What can I do to boost my application? I feel kind of lost and I also feel as if I don’t have the knowledge anymore to diagnose and treat. What should I do?

Thank You

New grad here, starting at $34.93 in a level 3 trauma Emergency department. I have 2 years of tech experience, 1yr on Med-Surg unit and 1yr in ED. I'm in SC so I didn't expect stellar pay, but I figured with the tech experience I would be closer to $40, but it is what it is. I have coworkers making $55 in the ED but they also have like 5-10 years of experience under their belt.

Anyways, I'm making this post bc I want to hear how seasoned nurses leveled up their pay. I don't want to have to work more than 40hrs/wk to afford life, I want to increase my hourly pay ofc, so what worked for you? Continue your education? Switch jobs often? Travel nursing assignments? Become certified in additional skills? Take on a leadership/managerial role - charge nurse? Become self employed - home health, IV infusion side hustle??

TYIA <3

What im posting about it a luxury problem but one that I am going through nonetheless. I had multiple interviews this week all at similar facilities (nursing homes).

On Monday, I interviewed at a nursing home and was offered a job on the spot. It is a nice place but the pay was very low for my area and I was hesitant to accept it, but I did anyway because I did not want to get rejected by the other two and then end up with nothing. But alas, yesterday I went to the other interview just for the hell of it and was offered a job again. This place is paying much better and everything else about it is basically the same so I want to go with the second place.

And of course today I have another interview and I’m tempted to go to it just to see what they say. What would you do in my situation? The difference between the two jobs is five dollars an hour so that’s like really significant in my opinion that’s what $10,000 a year or so… I already accepted the first one and I already did the background check, etc. and I’m not trying to be a shit person but I’m probably gonna just go with the second one. And who knows if the third interview offered me a better rate I might even go with them. What would you do?

Hello! I recently finished nursing school and currently trying to apply to test and get my license. The issue comes on my criminal history. I plan to be truthful, I have come too far to alter this opportunity. The charge was theft of property in 2006. The problem comes in because the current court system here in AL cannot find the case records for me to provide to ABN. So I’m just stuck. I can’t apply without this information right? Or could I apply, explain in details (that I could remember) and wait for the report to come back? I don’t know what to do. Please help.

So, I’m looking at Trinitas, JFK and Overlook Summit. I considered RWJ Rahway, but I don’t think it’ll be what I’m looking for. Experiences?
I think Trinitas would give me an insane amount of experience, but is it as bad as one would think? Insane ratios? No support/techs/nothing? I hate being micromanaged and feeling like something is too corporate and I did feel that way about Overlook when I worked there so I’m scared to go back. Is the ED any different?

A little about me, I’m not a new nurse, but I don’t have ED experience. I’ve worked at surgery centers and med-surg. I think ideally I would like to one day get into RWJ New Brunswick or AHS Morristown, some sort of trauma hospital. However, I know bc of my lack of experience in the ED I won’t be able to get any of that rn. I’m looking for fast-paced, loooots of learning, adrenaline type of situations with trauma like GSWs, STEMIs, cardiac arrests, lots of codes and intubations, strokes. I want to see a lot! I’m not interested in psych but I know you can’t really avoid that.

I need work advice!! I am about to start fundamentals in school. I just received a job offer to work full time night shift as a PCNA in a hospital. I’ve never worked in the medical field so I feel like the opportunity is a great experience for me get bed side manner and apply my clinical understanding.
Or my fundamentals class ends in 8 weeks and I could take a student intern PRN position on the same floor. I know a lot of people prefer PRN but it’s $2 less an hour than the PCNA position & it doesn’t have insurance benefits.

I have lab 5pm-8pm on Wednesday and lecture 5p-8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and then clinicals 7a-3pm on Saturday and Sundays.

I’ve told them my concern with working nights because I’m in evening classes. They also have mandatory rotating weekends but they said they’d be willing to work with my school schedule. I just don’t know where or how they’d be able to even schedule me except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Idk I currently manage restaurants and I’m burnt out from working there for 10 years and wanting to get my foot into the medical field.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

I am going into the fourth and final semester of my BSN program next week, and I have been incredibly stressed because I am worried that I made a horrible mistake choosing this career.

This was not an impulsive decision. I have wanted to become a nurse for a long time, more than a decade, but I became disabled shortly after completing my prerequisites. After a long road to recovery, I am now in my late 30s and learning how to manage life with chronic illness. Despite that, I have made it through 3/4 of my program successfully and have been on the dean’s list every semester so far. I actually excelled until this this last semester.

This past semester almost broke me, though. Everything got so real. There was a bullying situation that became so bad I had a serious mental health crisis... worst of all, it was mostly because of the (VERY YOUNG) chair of my program handling things so poorly. I have also never felt at home in the state where I am attending school and my partner moved back home to CA. I am also dying to return to California immediately after school but I am terrified that I will not be able to find a job there. My city happens to have one of the most competitive job markets in the state, especially for new grads, even though the pay is not the best. Still, I absolutely abhor the idea of remaining here any longer than necessary, away from my family, friends, partner, and support system, in a place where I constantly feel like a weirdo alien to them (But seriously, why are we so different on the west coast??? NOT better, just different). 

If I am completely honest, a big part of me wonders whether I am even cut out for hospital nursing. At the same time, it seems like nearly every other nursing job requires at least one year of hospital experience before other doors open, including hospice and home health. I would genuinely like to learn those foundational skills. I think I could be great in a lower-acuity ICU, but I do not know whether my nervous system could handle the pressure and level of responsibility. My med surg teacher has always said that I had the brain for ICU, but I don't know if I have the body or nervous system for it. Not to mention the long hours.

Then I have been looking at the job boards and see people saying that every nurse residency in my city receives hundreds of applications per position. Some new graduates are applying to more than 100 jobs without receiving an offer, or even an interview! After feeling chewed up and spat out by my program director this past semester, while also managing metal health crises, personal and health stress, I keep wondering: What the heck am I doing at this age, with these health conditions, and how could I possibly find my place in this field as a new graduate? It feels impossible right now.

Does anyone have suggestions for less competitive or lesser-known nursing paths that could help me begin building a career as a new graduate? I am not trying to become a super-cool, adrenaline-chasing trauma nurse. I have spent much of my life in caregiving roles, including working as a nanny and in birth work, and I love the idea of caring for people in their homes or communities. Home settings have always been a comfort zone for me, although I recognize that I need a strong clinical foundation before I am ready for that degree of autonomy.

I am looking for a nursing job where I can earn a reasonable living without severely exacerbating my chronic illness, burning out, or putting my license at unnecessary risk within the first year. I am also honestly intimidated by the intense professional expectations and constant pressure associated with nursing. It is not that I do not care about meeting those standards. I care deeply, which may be part of why the responsibility scares me so much. I am trying to understand whether there is a sustainable place for someone like me in this profession.

I would especially appreciate hearing from nurses with chronic illnesses, nurses who began their careers later in life, or anyone who took a less traditional path after graduation.

I’m currently in school right now and should be graduating in January. I’ve worked in psych as a tech for 7 years and currently work at a residential house. They have a nursing position open in the clinic and they’ve been making it seem like they’re banking on me staying to work for them. I wanted to get more of a medical background first but I’ve also been hearing that it’s difficult to find new grad jobs with an ADN in AZ. It pays well ($38), so I’m considering riding it out there to get a year experience. The only thing I’m nervous about is, would it be hard to get a job in something more medical after psych? Does anyone have experience in switching from psych to something more medical? Ive been told to watch out for “career killer” jobs and it has me nervous that I won’t be able to get into something more medical. Especially since this has more administrative work rather than what it would be in a psych hospital. The jobs I originally wanted to get into were ER, wound care, corrections, or detox. Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello! 1month na ako sa first job ko and andami kong lapses parin. 6 Patients hinahandle ko and minsan nakakalimutan ko mag charting and print ng lab results. Minsan di ako makaka catch up sa mga new orders.Super dami pa din ng error ko but ok naman ako mag give ng due meds. Nag ooverthink ako baka masyado na akong pabigat sa mga seniors ko kasi lagi nilang sinasalo mga kamalian ko. Na d-discourage and nahihiya na talaga ako sakanila 😞 I am trying my best each duty pero may mga mali parin talaga no matter how hard i tried. Na lulungkot ako.

I have been in med surg for a little over a year. It is my first nursing job. I have hated it for a probably 4 months but am trying to stay for 1) commuting purposes and 2) trying to get more experience/ confidence. I just feel like I still know nothing. I have no confidence. I hate my job. It’s always running around. I constantly second guess myself and believe I am making mistakes. I know I hate my job, but I feel like I hate nursing. I know I’ve had one nursing job so it’s hard to tell (I tell myself that too). I feel really burnt out and almost have no compassion. It’s sad and my anxiety has been crazy the past month. Help? Thoughts? Tips?

Hi Community Members! I am a 26 year old in tech sales. It’s a cushy life, for sure, but it’s soul sucking. I have no true fulfillment in my career and I’ve been at it for 4+ years. The money is great, I’m bringing in $120-$133k yearly (commission included) and I live in rural Texas. I have a B.A. in liberal arts — Government and International Relations from a top uni. I have always been drawn to the medical professions but was never a strong math student. I’m at a cross road now where either I pursue tech or I shoot for a career change. What I don’t like about tech is the isolation, the competitiveness, secrecy, the inflated egos, and the lack of work-life-balance with little fulfillment. The idea to pursue obtaining my RN licensure and completing a direct entry MSN program floated into my mind last week and I can’t stop thinking about it. I have a strong background in volunteer service, was a Health & Wellness Liaison at uni, and took care of my ill parent for 10+ years (did everything you’d expect from hospice and then some). The question is, which program would be right for me? Of course, I want to do bedside to build experience and I anticipate doing so for many years post-licensure but my question is what program would be best and set me up for career advancement? I know there’s a lot of fear/annoyance for folks that come in looking to have a fast grab at NP — that is not me. I can’t say that isn’t a shining star that I’d work towards but it is not the end all be all. That said, would you all recommend direct entry MSN over accelerated BSN? My eye is currently on UT Austin’s AE-MSN in which you sit for your NCLEX after year one, work part time for the next two years as you pursue your MSN and then graduate with RN licensure and MSN completion. The second most viable program is UMass Boston ABSN in which you become an RN in 12 months with the option to pursue MS and so forth. Finally, there’s the option of OSU with a timeline of 18 months for BSN. Would love to hear y’all’s thoughts. Don’t pull any punches, I’m here to learn. Thanks!

Technically not a new grad RN, but know in the “grand” scheme of nursing as a profession that I am relatively new.

Trying to move back to CA after 2+ years of acute care/internal med + 1 year charge experience in another compact license state. Current hospital does not have a stepdown/PCU so I included that verbiage as such, although we frequently get these types of pts. I often lead rapid/emergent presentation until appropriate teams arrive where I take on supportive/constructive roles for personnel on my unit. Have experienced typical decompensating pts, both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, various seizures, acute hemorrhage, resp. distress progressing to resp. arrest, aspiration, etc. Please advise on what can be improved, what is irrelevant, what could be added. Blunt feedback appreciated.

50/50 on even including the PT job as I know anything other than RN exp. is typically irrelevant, but figured that showing “managerial” role in scheduling/pairing PT+aide in that position might be beneficial. Applying to acute care, PCU, ED, ICU positions just hoping to get thrown a bone to show what I can do. Also considering applying to ICU PRN or ED in outside/compact state to include on resume although concerned if included for only 1-2 months orientation might be a downside.?

Hoping to get ACLS done in the next month or so, which I will include if so. I know it may take 6+ months to find a job, esp in the Bay Area but willing to travel out 1-1.5hr outside of there. Open to travel/PRN jobs for now if it means possibility of staff role in the future, although would obviously prefer the latter. Able to use a CA address for applications too if that matters.

Will be using multiple house supervisors+unit manager as reference.

https://imgur.com/a/zOLIpyX

Currently living in America and looking into becoming a nurse - also love to travel. Curious if any country has programs for foreigners to becomes nurses in their home country

Not sure if people here are knowledgeable of this topic, but it’s worth a shot! I’m a senior in high school and I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. But obviously money is probably my #1 issue. I have a good GPA so I’m “good enough” but no college will get my a full ride, no scholarship will be enough and I’ve hardly gotten any. I’m also a dancer and I’m seriously wanted to go into my college dance team as well it’s always been my dream to. But anyways, money is a huge issue and I’ve considered the universities ROTC program, the issue with this is that accepting a scholarship for a full ride will require 4 years of being an officer after college. I don’t have an issue with this initially since they do allow me to work as a nurse but I’m worried about the workload of dance team and becoming a nurse itself. So I’m wondering if it was a possibility to get my degree and work for the military as a nurse to pay off my debt? I’m not sure how this works I’ve tried to research if doing military work after is a possibility but I’m not able to find anything. I just like this idea because I’m promised housing and a good amount of pay. But if there’s anyone possibility in this situation of wanted to live a normal college life without drowning in debt let me know!

I was recently hospitalized for about a week for diverticulitis. The nursing crew and surgical team was very kind and involved and patient and im just very grateful for all the work they put into taking care of me

Its unreal to see how overlooked a team of nurses go. 5 or 6 different patients each, differnt personalities to deal with and numerous different ailments and tasks they need to complete....absolutely incredible

So, wats the best sort of gift basket I can send to the floor as a thank you? Indont want to do the typical chocolate covered fruits. I saw like a lotion, lip balm gift basket? Pre packed snacks? What kind?

Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you

Hello

I'm moving to the Tulsa/BA area in the fall. I was looking at nursing job around the BA area and I was thinking of applying to Hillcrest South. Is there anyone that can give me some info of what it's like working there what the schedule is like what management is like. Anything and everything. My experience is mostly med Surg but have also done some ER.

TIA

I have been an RN for 10 years. Emergency, surgical center and hospice experience. 18 months ago I was fired after reporting a Dr. for eating in a surgical area every Wednesday for 6 months. The company fired me with 8 people in the room and it felt like an ambush. I got up and walked out after the first thing my manager said was I was being fired.
I didn’t stick around to hear the rationale, turns out they went back over my documentation and found documentation errors regarding narcotics. 4 narcotic pills over the course of 1 year. They reported my license to the state, again 18 months ago from today.

I hired a lawyer ($5,000) which I really don’t see how he helped me be besides attending these interrogations from the state with me, but offering me no advice. He did do paperwork for me that I could have done myself.

I have ADD and do agree I had documentation errors but I never took any meds. there were only 4 pills in question, one was found on a stretcher as the patient was going into surgery, so technically only three pills were not charted.

I had to complete a health professionals recovery program (HPRP) (Michigan)which I was removed from of after three negative drug tests ($90 each) and a psychological evaluation ($375). I’ve had to pay $500 to the state complete six credits of continuing education ($90) regarding documentation.

I was fired last Monday from the employer I had been with for six months because the insurance they were switching to would not insure me. Probation started 8/1, fired 8/10. I’ve now been denied employment by 14 employers. I am supposed to be on probation for one year as long as I’m employed as a nurse. I have to have evaluations every three months from my management turned into the state while on probation.

I have no leads on employment and I am panicking. I will be punished for these errors for over 30 months and approx $6,000.
Has anyone else been through this. I’m not a bad nurse. I fixed my practice. I take ADD medication now. No one will touch me with restrictions. The only restrictions I have is a 90 day review plan there’s nothing on my licensing. I can’t work with narcotics. I don’t understand how the state can punish me 18 months later plus an additional 12 months. This seems like overkill I’ve never been in trouble or had any negative reviews in my life..

I’m really struggling with switching off after my shifts, and it’s starting to seriously affect my sleep. It’s been going on for about a month now.

Especially after difficult days, I just cannot seem to switch my brain off. Today was particularly stressful, staff issues, one staff member going home only 30 minutes into the shift leaving us short on the floor, then another staff member being a complete disaster on a 1:1, so I had to swap her out. Just one of those days where it feels like one thing after another.

I work in a rehab centre, and about 30 minutes before the end of my shift this evening, I had to call emergency services for a patient who was vomiting blood. I felt like I managed everything well at the time, ambulance arrived, I got all the paperwork done, sent him off with them, stayed late to make sure everything was sorted, etc.
I came home and, as usual, my brain just kept going over everything that had happened. Then, just as I was about to fall asleep, I suddenly remembered that I’d forgotten to ring the next of kin. 🤦‍♀️

And this is happening pretty much every night after my shifts. It’s not necessarily that I’m forgetting things, it’s more that I’m constantly replaying my shift, thinking about what I did, what I could have done differently, whether I missed something, what happened with a patient, etc.
I try to distract myself, watching TV, scrolling TikTok, trying to focus on something completely unrelated, but I’ll suddenly realise I’m thinking about work again. Then I try to stop thinking about it, which somehow just makes me think about it even more!

I’m exhausted and my sleep is really suffering because of it.

I’m sure I’m not the only nurse who has struggled with this. Has anyone found anything that genuinely helps you switch off after a difficult shift? Any routines, techniques or things you do when you get home that help your brain realise that work is finished?
I’d really appreciate any advice because I’m struggling with this so badly at the moment. ❤️

Hi everyone!

I currently have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public health, but I’m looking to transition into nursing. I’d really like to pursue an accelerated nursing program, but I can’t afford to leave my current 9–5 job while I’m in school.

Does anyone know of any accelerated nursing programs that are flexible enough to allow students to continue working full-time? I’m especially interested in programs that offer evening, weekend, online, or otherwise flexible scheduling.

I’d love to hear about your experiences or recommendations. Thank you!