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Clinical RN-3

So it has been almost 2 years since I graduated from nursing school…. WOW!  Is all I can say…I have accomplished so much is my short time as a nurse!  At WMC there is a laddering system that has different levels of nurses based on their experience and involvement with the organization.  After some research I realized I was already so involved in the organization and met the ladder requirements, all I had to do was fill out the paperwork.  Back in December I filled out the paperwork and pretty much spent a whole day gathering the information and submitted it before the deadline.  Then a week later I was approved as a RN-3 then another week later it was taken away because I hadn’t worked at the organization for 2 years.  So I was upset that I didn’t get the recognition and pay raise that was associated with the clinical RN-3.  Luckily, to my surprise my manager must have appealed it and they decided to go through a loop-hole and actually regrant me the title.

I can’t believe that I have been a nurse for such a short time and have had so many opportunities to be involved and make a different.  I always wonder if I would have had this same involvement and opportunity if I were to stay in the Denver area at a bigger hospital.  In the long run, I am glad I did move to a smaller, rural facility and was able to contribute to the well-being and help increase good quality care for patients.

March of Dimes Nurse of Year Pics!

This was a fun day!! Thanks Nicole!

Nursing Career

I cant believe it has been over a years since I have became a nurse. I think of all the things I have done in that last year is great! I was nominated for New Graduate Nurse of the year for the hospital; I have trained and precepted a number of people and provide my skills; I am the chair of Unit Council and have a lot of say and pull within the hospital with being part of LEAN projects, schedule and other shared governance groups.

No only am I so involved I’m actually a pretty good nurse J. I have only been a nurse a year but I have many people fooled that I have been one soo much longer. I’m also considered a “strong” nurse so I tend to get the harder patients and seem to have a little more responsibility.

It may see like I’m bragging and gloating but so times it just sucks to be a rock star J.... No really, I am glad I have chosen a career that I’m find happy and fulfilling and where I can be so dedicated to.

In the last 6 months!

All of you know the reason I moved to Wyoming in the first place was for a job. I can’t believe that it has been 6 months since I have moved. I love my job and so happy I went into nursing. I glad I choose to work on the Medical floor as my first job as well. I see so many different problems and types of patients it’s a good base to start building my nursing habits. Also in my hospital it is the most stable floor and we have the strictest manager, which makes a more structured learning environment.

I’m considered one of the “stronger” nurses on the floor and the other day one of the physicians stated he wasn’t concerned about his patients when I worked and believes me when I think there is something wrong. Which I feel is a huge compliment because just being 6 months out of school and helps me feel more confident in my job.

In like 2 weeks I actually start precepting a nursing student for 6 weeks. I’m a little concerned and scared since I’m actually going to be teaching a person and help shape the beginning of his nursing career. I would like to someday become a nurse educator and a preceptor for new nurses so this is a good way to see if I actually do like teaching and training.

Other achievements that I have accomplished in such a short period of time is: I’m the Co-Chair to my floors Unit Council which is an elected position that get to do other exciting things other nurses on my floor don’t, like create the schedule that has it’s great advantages when it comes to my own schedule and getting what I want J . As well as, creating plans on our floor to help with productivity and job performance. I have been floating to other floors and able to work successfully. Which makes we want to consider Float Pool some day because of the different variety of patients and nursing I get to experience.

All in all, I’m glad I decided to make the move to Casper to Wyoming Medical. It is not nearly as big as the Denver hospitals but it’s a great place to start and to advance my career.

Wyoming Medical Center

I have wanted to talk about my hospital and share but wanted to pass the NCLEX before first because of my superstitions.

I’m at the Wyoming Medical Center; it is the largest hospital in the state of Wyoming with the only hospital that has a flight team. I’m on the 4^th Floor with is the Medical Floor. It’s the area that I do want to stay and work in for awhile anyway. I guess historically my floor is the pilot floor for the whole hospital so we get the latest and greatest up grades and test everything out before everyone else. I don’t know if this is a good thing or bad thing. There is actually an expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department to help meet the demands of the surrounding area.

Here is some info from the website: “Wyoming Medical Center is a 207 bed not-for-profit (501c3) acute care hospital in the center of Wyoming. The campus covers approximately four city blocks with 719,000 square feet of space. Our central location in Wyoming is convenient and easy-to-access for the thousands of patients we are entrusted to care for each year. With its 150 physicians on staff, Wyoming Medical Center offers 50 specialties with two Centers of Excellence: The Heart Center of Wyoming and Wyoming Neuroscience and Spine Institute. Both centers have received national rankings and recognition for quality measures, outstanding care and service.

With the only air ambulance program in the state, Wyoming Medical Center’s Life Flight travels to all corners of Wyoming for patient transport. The program operates both a helicopter, which is based at the hospital, and a fixed-wing aircraft at the local airport. The service is not only available at a moment’s notice for emergency care for the severely injured or critically ill, it also coordinates with other facilities in transporting patients throughout the United States and Canada.”

If you want to check out more here is the website: http://www.wmcnet.org/