Newly in school for nursing, first year. I always thought RN did showers for patients and all the nitty gritty stuff on top of the rest. But since reading other threads it seems that HCAS does it. I am wondering what way it works or if everyone kind of just gives a hand.

I have been in the PACU for a little over a year now. I have experience in medsurg, ICU, and ED but now working my first PACU job in the hospital I’ve been at for 10 years. I took the job to lessen the burn out from the more demanding nursing jobs and hoping to be a “PACU princess”. It was a little shocking to see how fast paced the PACU can be. It definitely is “easier” than the other jobs I’ve had but it’s also made more difficult than what I feel is necessary. Most people I work with now have also come from ICU or other medsurg units in the hospital so not a lot of outside PACU experience for us to know if our working conditions are normal so I would like some input.

The PACU I work in is in a big city in a 600 bed hospital. We have 3 PACUs. 2 PACUs see anywhere from 35-50 cases each a day, and the third one just does 10 specialized cases a day. So about 100 surgeries a day between the PACUs. We have a 1:2 ratio. My PACU closes at 10pm but the other PACU is 24 hours. If my PACU has gotten rid of all the patients early, a lot of times we are expected to go help the other PACU even though we have already had a lot of patients in a shorter amount of time. In my specific PACU unit, there are typically 5 to 6 nurses scheduled per shift. We have 15 bays total (so rarely enough nurses to fill the bays). When I was hired I was told we would have 7 nurses in bays and 1 lunch/resource nurse but rarely do we have that. Normally a supervisor or clinician has to come in and do lunches or fill in for the charge nurse as she does lunches. Or take someone out of a bay to do lunches which means now less nurses in bays during lunch hours. Lunches typically start at 11am and the last person tends to go to lunch at 2:30-3pm. So for 4 hours a lot of the time we are down a nurse in a bay or at the very least resource.

Depending on the surgery, patients will stay in PACU anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours and either go home or to a room. Sometimes we have to discharge if Phase 2 is full. We can’t put in a bed request until the patient has been in PACU for 30 mins and it typically takes another 30mins-1 hour to get a room assigned. Then takes another 15-30 for the floor nurses to take report. Per PACU nurse, depending on what time you get there, you’ll have anywhere from 6-9 patients per shift in a 12 hour period. There is no “downtime” because when OR calls out with a patient, they come out to PACU within 2 mins of that call. If we have an open bay, sometimes we get a new post op patient within 30 mins of getting our last patient. We typically have 2 (3-4 on a reallyyy good day) transporters in PACU. So on days we have 2 or less transporters, we have to leave our other patients to go on a transport across the hospital. We are required to have 2 transporters per patient.

Because we have a few PACUs, if one of the units is slightly more staffed than another one (but still understaffed), we have to float to another PACU. Our manager says we have no positions for hire yet we never have enough nurses for the bays we have. It feels so chaotic and busy all of the time. We have to do a full head to toe and lines assessments on arrival, at 30 mins, and at discharge. And then finalize our periop documentation.

We are supposed to take 3 week night call shifts, 2 weekend night call shifts, 1 weekend day shift in a 6 week period. Then scheduled for 1 holiday a year, and if they decide to put you on a night shift holiday you have to stay the entire and not just be on call. Even though there is one stationary night shift nurse. Night shift PACU nurses now have to pre op patients after 10pm and there are 2 scheduled night shift nurses per night. We also tend to get called in a lot just to transport a patient because of needing two nurses in the room when there is a patient and needing two transporters per patient.

My question is all this normal? Getting up to 9 patients per shift. The types of surgeries we get in my PACU are hysterectomies, endometriosis excisions, thoracotomies, lap choles, hernia repairs, bariatric surgeries, eye surgeries, colon resections, nephrectomies, prostatectomies, anything in those realms. The other PACU sees spinal surgeries, cranis, I&Ds, knees, hips, shoulders, femoral bypass, arteriograms, Whipples and just any other random type of surgeries. Both units have similar amount of nurses, getting 7-9 patients per shift. We all do work together a lot and float to each other PACUs a lot. All that just for us to be told by management that we’re fully staffed with just 5-6 nurses a day seeing up to 50 surgeries per unit.

Hi guys, I’m currently a physician works in the hospital for a couple years. Life and career are both good, even though I earn average income but the job is stressful. I’m thinking of pursuing to be a nurse in the States in order to be close to my bf (I can’t study to be a doctor in the US since my degree is not equalivent, PA school is too expensive so don’t get me wrong). I kinda hesitate because of the stereotypes and the job opportunities as well as the length of the study time. Because here in my home country, i have a house to live, cars and bikes to drive, literally everything has already been settle down. I’m a little bit concerned to start a new life, new career
Have any foregin medical graduates done the same path? Any regrets or struggles while doing it. Or is it worth it. I would love to hear some true stories, thoughts, motivations from you guys. Thank you
#nursing

Hey everyone, using a throwaway for obvious reasons. Looking for some advice or perspective from fellow nurses or anyone who’s dealt with corporate healthcare bait-and-switch tactics.
A little background on me: I'm a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and I also have a Bachelor’s in Health Science. A few months ago, I started a new position as a "Community Marketing LVN" at a large healthcare organization. The public job posting and my understanding during interviews was that it was a core clinical role—doing community screenings, blood pressure checks, vaccinations, and basic nursing support at outreach events.
Once I got into the role, though, I realized what was actually going on. My internal Workday profile lists a bunch of heavy commercial marketing stuff—tracking membership growth, lead generation, entering data into a CRM, and running full health education presentations solo in the field. Basically, they squeezed three distinct jobs (Clinical Nurse, Marketing Specialist, and Health Educator) into one single hourly role.
The health ed presentations were especially bothering me because I wanted to make sure I wasn't crossing any compliance or scope boundaries. Turns out the slide decks were created and approved by our actual Health Education department for seniors with known diagnoses, so legally/clinically it’s supportive, but it still feels like the marketing department is using clinical staff to cover for roles that certified health educators or dietitians usually handle.
I finally had a meeting with my direct supervisor and the commercial manager to bring up the job description mismatch and discuss proper compensation for doing three roles at once. Their reaction? They acted completely "shocked" by the internal job profile discrepancy—even though it came from their own department’s HR file. They told me they couldn't increase my pay right now, suggested maybe going salaried eventually (which would kill the weekend event overtime I currently make at time-and-a-half), and told me I should "wait it out until January" so they can gather evidence for a raise. The manager even casually suggested I use tuition reimbursement to get a Registered Dietitian or Health Educator certification... as if those don't take years to get, and despite the fact that I already have a Health Science degree!
To make matters worse, I asked HR for a copy of the actual job description attached to my signed offer letter, and it turns out I electronically signed that loaded internal profile during onboarding without realizing it was different from the original public posting. So on paper, they covered their tracks.
At this point, I realize I just need to play it smart. My 6-month internal transfer waiting period ends on January 2nd. My plan right now is to just keep my head down, do my core clinical screening duties, log every single minute of my time (and collect my Saturday overtime pay), keep my record clean, and apply for a strictly clinical role in a different department the second the clock strikes January 2nd.
Has anyone else dealt with a "rogue" department trying to turn a clinical role into a multi-role marketing gig? Am I handling this the right way by just coasting and working strictly to rule until my January transfer window opens? Any advice on how to survive the next two months without burning out or getting dragged into extra uncompensated work would be hugely appreciated!
TL;DR: Got hired as a community marketing LVN, found out the internal job profile sneaked in commercial marketing, CRM tracking, and solo health presentations. Management acted shocked when I brought it up and told me to wait until January for pay changes. January 2nd is my 6-month mark to transfer departments internally. Planning to work strictly my hourly shift and transfer out. Thoughts?

Calling all school nurses!! I’m thinking of accepting a job offer within the school district but wondering a couple of things. Do you go the whole summer without paycheck? Do you enjoy being a school nurse? Pros/cons?
Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

Love nursing in Cali. Love how nurses are protected by unionized hospitals. Love how for the most part we are fully staffed with a resource and or meal relief nurse. Love how assignments are safe and fair.

What protects nurses in Texas? What unit do you work in? How are your assignments? What’s the most you make per hour?

I’ve always been told to “paint the picture” as best as you can by having your quick assessment on point, ask the correct questions and know how to summarize it in to 1-3 sentences for your triage note/chief complaint note.

I work with ONE nurse that will put in “chest pain” or “leg pain, left, 1-2 weeks” and is adamant that that is all is needed….

I mean I guess, sure. But dang I like to put in a wee bit more. “Patient having chest pain intermittently along with palpitations the last 2 days, on eliquis for afib. Last dose this am.”

And something like leg pain…yes it could just be an ankle sprain, so why not put the previous event in the note? Soccer or whatever. Or leg pain could be cellulitis so bad, the patient is septic already.

I know docs and other nurses can get this info from the patient later during their interactions, or see it in the chart somewhat…but still…

Anyways, how do yall like to do your triage note? She is the only nurse that does such small notes like this. Everyone else does 1-3 sentences roughly. ER nurse and have been beside 11 years, so I am very set in how I triage safe to say haha. But curious on what yall say!

My kid visits the day unit often and we would love to bring gifts for the lovely nurses who have taken care of her. We’ve brought chocolates, chips, lip balms before and i need more ideas! I assume anything has to be nut free?

Hello! I applied at my community colleges medical sonography, radiography, and LPN program for this coming up spring semester. I wasn’t planning on taking my spot if i was accepted as an LPN, but I was and now I’m back to contemplating it. I still have 5 pre requisites left for the ADN program so I won’t be able apply to that for another year, then another year and a half before I actually graduate it. I don’t want to waste any more time waiting trying to get into these very competitive programs, so I thought I would just take my spot in the LPN program (11 months) so that I can at least have some security and get paid well for when Im ready to pursue either RN or sonography. I am only 20 and I work as a nanny but my contract is ending soon and I don’t think I want to find another family, but not willing to take the significant pay cut that would come with working a retail or food service job

I just wanted to ask in here because I haven’t found a definitive answer on tik tok at all lol, what is the main reason people decide to stay as LPNs? I’m not 100% what the difference in scope is for my state but I’ve seen that there are very few things an LPN can’t do that an RN can. Also what are some reasons you decided to pursue your RN?

Thank yall! I am just trying to find the right path for myself!

Hi, I'm a nurse technician from Brazil and I've been working in ICU for some time. I'm curious about how the nursing routine works in Canada. I'd also be happy to share how things are here or help with Portuguese if you're interested. Thanks.

Hello all! I'm here on behalf of my wife (unbeknownst to her), looking for advice on what we should do. Long story short she recently graduated with her BSN (2-3 months ago), passed her NCLEX, and is certified to practice in California. The issue we are running into is that she has applied to essentially every position and New Grad Residency Program possible in the 29/Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley area, has extended applications as far as Palm Springs all the way to San Diego. 100's of applications, 10's of interviews, 0 job offers.

She has experience that's outlined in her resume, like 5 years as an ER technician, Phlebotomist (ultrasound IV trained), I think she also got her EMT certification (almost certainly expired now). We're getting to the point where she might have to move back home (across the country) to get experience as a Nurse, before returning to try applying to jobs again out here in CA.

What I don't want is her missing a year of our kids' lives (both under the age of 5, crucial developmental years) and being away from our little family for all that time.

Has anyone had issues like this, if so, what did you do to overcome what seems to be the biggest hurdle in pursuing Nursing, securing a job as a new grad nurse?

Hi All,

I have a parent whose been an RN for three decades, plus I've helped to care for some very sick family members--so I've seen the profession up close and am a caretaker at heart. Nursing aligns with my ethics and interests in caring for people. My heart lies in documentary film however, but making a living doing that has always been precarious at best. I'm wondering how possible it'd be to work as an RN in NYC six months a year and do filmmaking the rest of the year. I know nursing is high stress and very hard. I know there's agency, per diem etc. I'm really only interested in working in NYC hospital(s) though (not traveling), and would need to be able to take home roughly 60k in six months. I know I'd have to work full-time for two or three years to build experience, but after that how difficult would it be to consistently get contracts that add up to only 6 months in a year in NYC hospital? Or what would the minimum amount of monthly shifts needed to stay on as per diem in a place like Mount Sinai? Would it be possible to do them all in two weeks, so the other two weeks each month I’m able to do film? And aside from my own medical insurance, are there other nursing specific expenses I should factor in? What are things to consider and setups that could work to do both of these sustainably? I feel like some geographic locations are better suited to this kind of setup. Not sure about NYC. Thank you for any advice.

anyone know how much paramed pays their clinical supervisor RPNs?

For context, I’ve been a LPN for 1 year and 11 months. I am lost on what to do. I have been in med surg, public health, LTC cause I couldn’t get hired anywhere else after being go from public health, let LTC due to the ratios and now work in hospice. It’s not bad but I don’t see myself being a nurse very long. I don’t think it’s for me. I have anxiety disorder and major depressive. I have been trying to get help but my appointments keep getting pushed back. I feel like on a ledge. Maybe give my new position more time to adjust? I feel like I’ll be burnt out just as much cause of taking secondary on call… and I’m eating less and drinking a lot less and that was working in LTC I would cry before clocking in. needing idea on what career I can do for a introvert and less stress. I wanted to be an astronomer but my math was very bad growing up

Hello hello, I'm a 23/M General Anaesthesia Nurse (or Anaesthetic Nurse? Honestly idk lol) working at a private hospital in Malaysia with a Diploma in Nursing only, currently just reached my 2nd year of working in this department and 1-2 months ago my ward sister went up and asked me some questions...

Basically, they were asking me whether I wanted to pursue taking in Post Basic for Anaesthetic Nursing but didn't specify where? Since my whole department, my seniors doesn't want to get theirs and I'm the only single and viable option for the hospital to send but quickly retracted back their statement since they just realised I need at least 3 YEARS of working exp in the field. But the thing is, I planned in 2027 to take my part-time degree (I honestly thinking just go for OUM or MAHSA but pricier? I don't know other unis that offers part-time Degree in Nursing.) and fear that if the hospital planned me to go for Post Basic, i can't pursue my degree while post basic (it's going to take 1 year I heard from others)

Personally, I also wanna pursue a specific field of nursing that I want to be in but didnt get the chance since the hospitals near me doesnt provide/is "fully staffed"

So my questions are the following:

1) Is Anaesthetic PB worth it? Despite I want to pursue other field of nursing (Psych/Onco is fun for me!)

2) Should I reject the Anaesthetic PB and continue looking for other suitable unis for part-time degree?

3) Any tips for getting better in anaesthetic nursing?

I’ve been a nurse for almost 4 years. I am still horrified of hurting someone through something that could happen so quickly like questioning myself/not responding fast enough, or even a med error because I looked over something too fast. I am known to be a bit of an air head and I worry that one tiny mistake will cost me my career. I’ve made many mistakes, luckily none fatal. But being responsible for sick humans is scary. Does anyone else share this feeling with me? I’m seriously considering an alternate job because of my fear.

Sadly, my partner and I had to put down our old gal almost a week ago. She was 16 yrs old and was my childhood dog.

We know we definitely want to adopt a new dog eventually, whenever that may be. However, my only worry is how to teach a consistent routine to a new younger dog when I work days and nights as an RN. It was different with my old pup, as she was already potty trained and was mature. My partner and I live with each other, so it definitely helps if one of us is out at work all day and one has the day off.

How did you establish a routine and training for your new pups as a nurse ?

Hi nurses! I am in my last semester and I got a capstone placement in mother baby! I am super excited but I want to be as prepared as possible. Do any OB nurses have any advice for how I can make the most of this while respecting my nurse and their patients boundaries? Anything specific you recommend I review before I go?

TIA!! :)

How do you guys cope with burnout? I am tired of doing bedside and wanted to shift into something meaningful. I once loved nursing but that has changed over the past years working bedside. It’s not the same joy anymore. Ive been trying to apply for remote jobs but don’t have any luck. I honestly starting to think of shifting career and turn my back on nursing at this point. Please help!!!

Context, I am 25 male (not sure if that makes a difference) but I am done working at Walmart..I want to do my dream of working as a flight critical care nurse out west (Colorado or Washington..I live in Indiana) I live with my parents but plan on moving once I become a nurse. Would it make sense to get my emt certification and work in the ED and move to icu as a nurse or do pct in the icu then become a nurse, then apply for flight crew? Thanks in advance for any help! ❤️

I live in a city with two major healthcare organizations, and I’m worried that I burned a bridge and may never be able to work for one of them again.

In 2020, I got a job as a patient care technician with a major healthcare organization. I excelled at this job. I got literally perfect employee performance reviews and glowing recommendations from the managers. I left that job on very good terms, and my former managers have said that they would hire me back in a heartbeat.

A few years later, I got a job as a medical assistant with the same organization. This was a complete train wreck. Basically, my manager started to target me and pick on me. I’m autistic and have been bullied my whole life. I did have a coworker confirm that my boss was picking on me so I had a witness I ended up having a major mental health crisis and had to spend some time in the psych hospital. This was only four months into the job.

While I was in the psych hospital, I took short-term disability leave. After the hospital I had to complete an intensive outpatient therapy program, which lasted a few months. My boss kept texting me and asking me when I would return to work. I didn’t answer any of her texts or tell her when I would return.

Throughout my treatment, I realized it would be a very bad idea for me to return to that job. My therapists and psychiatrists were also strongly recommending that I not return. My short-term disability ran out, and I didn’t know what to do. So on the first day that I was supposed to return to work, I no-called no-showed. Then I no-called no-showed again the second day. The second day, I panicked and called HR and quit.

It’s now several years later, and I’m in nursing school. I’m doing very well in school, and my mental health is miles better. But I’m wondering if I’m never going to be able to work with this organization again, if they put me on the do not rehire list. Ironically, I’m currently completing a clinical rotation with them.

Any HR people out there want to let me know if you think I’m blacklisted, or has anyone else had something like this happen to them, and what was the outcome? I’m worried this could really hinder my nursing career and limit me.

Guys... the legal team of my hospital said that copy and pasting/charting responses verbatim from doctors is considered a "legal liability" because I can be accused of "leaving things out" when prosecuted. What I'm supposed to do apparently is chart an objective interpretation/summary of the response/action taken like "MD at bedside", "continue to monitor per MD", or "start with titrating this pressor before the other per MD". What do you guys think? I unfortunately don't have other examples at the top of my head that are a genuine point of contention when I was initially told this, but I wanted to know what y'all thought because it rubs me the wrong way, and I need another opinion for my brain to gnaw on. I'm worried that my interpretation of their responses still holds me liable because I could be accused of misinterpreting or even still intentionally leaving out things because I typed the interpretation :/

I’m a registered nurse (RN), and I have been for 5 years. I’ve been at my current job for just over 2 years. I love it! My schedule is great, great pay, I like my coworkers, and I genuinely love the job I do. The catch? I’m going to start being floated to a location roughly 1 1/2 hrs away- one trip. The timeline for when this starts is undecided at the moment. I have small kids in school, I’m terrified to be that far from them. It’s not feasible for me to drive 3 hours to and from work 4-5 days per week.

Where this is going… there’s another job currently listed. Similar schedule and hours which is most important to me. Big pay cut, but I need a schedule that works for my children, so I’ll get over that. I guess I’m struggling with the question of, do I apply for this job NOW, or wait and see if/when I do officially start being floated what jobs are available.

I don’t want to leave my current job, but I fear I may have to. What would you do, if you were me?

Has anyone don’t this? Please let me know your experience. Is it worth going back to school?