LA, Cali RN Needs a few suggestions

[PatriciaCSMCRN]

Hi

I am a Core Measures RN. I work at two a different hospitals. One full time and the another per diem. I have audited Core Measures since Core Measures were implemented in California. I started my nursing career right out of nursing school as a nurse reviewer. This occurred via an employment agency, and it was only to help the hospital get ready for their up and coming survey. I thought it would be a good asset to in my nursing career so I took the job. I never thought I would become a nurse auditor, but somehow I was hired at the contracting hospital as a full time auditor. Core Measures were introduced about the same time I was hired.

I have learned everything I could about all aspects of Core Measures. My goal was to eventually move to patient care in order to gain clinical skills, but somehow time passed, so all of my nursing years are now in quality. I am excellent at auditing and staff education. I work with many seasoned nurses (25 +) who come to me for help and questions about core measure criteria I have pretty much educated the entire staff of core measure RN‘s and hospital wide my services are requested to provide in-service. I guess this is my calling but I do feel guilty at times for not doing patient care.

I don’t even know if I could insert an IV, Foley and so on.. clinically I have a vast understanding of meds S/S, however my hands on skills were never perfected so I am sort of stuck in my situation. Still core measures seem to be the wave of the future I just wonder if anyone knows if there is anything I can do to gain my skills back? :39:

[TomB]

Welcome to the forum, Patricia!! We're glad to have you here.

It sounds like you've made a wonderful career for yourself but are now wondering how to gain clinical skills.

I believe that you're in somewhat of a dilemma because of your lack of hands-on nursing skills. Which you gain by practicing bed-side nursing, but in order to practice bed-side nursing you need skills. It's kind of a catch-22.

I am biased, but I would suggest ER nursing. It's very task oriented and you can't help but gain skills. The problem is getting an ER to hire you.

There are several very accomplished nurses here on this board that will have some great advice for you.

You might want to consider posting down in the "Employment" section of the board as well.

Good Luck, Patricia!!

:luck:

[nursinghumor]

Hello Cali,

I'd talk to a few of the nurse managers, nursing office. If you tell them you're looking to get some time on the floors, chances are they'll accommodate you.

As short as most places are, a warm body will be welcome. See if there is a pool or extra shifts available. Some places have "IV Teams" that do nothing but start lines. That would be a great place to practice, perfect your skills.

Start gradually, a 4 or 8 shift a week, then gradually increase it as you get comfortable. Let people know you're looking for foleys, IVs, etc chances are you'll find plenty to do

If it grows on you, increase your hours, if not, you can always fall back on what you are doing.

Hope that helps.



Sincerely,

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly, Inc. A New Jersey Corporation.
38 Tattersall Drive, Mantua New Jersey 08051
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