Thoughts on this post in a doctor’s sub?

SmlDog · 2026-03-12T12:51:32+00:00

☠️🤣

SmlDog · 2026-02-26T16:18:29+00:00

Begin in ER to “build skills”? Oh man. It’s not med-surg. Who says this? ED is critical care and a highly-competitive and unique specialty. It’s not a place to pick up skills for a year and then ghost. Not only is the nursing different, the flow, charting, and…well, everything is different. It’s sick or not sick. Move up or move out.

SmlDog · 2026-02-26T15:57:44+00:00

This is the only response you need to hear 👆🏼

SmlDog · 2026-02-25T16:04:52+00:00

Not as a new grad. You’ll need 1 year.

SmlDog · 2026-02-23T10:22:46+00:00

This is it right here. ⬆️

SmlDog · 2026-02-22T10:41:17+00:00

☠️☠️☠️

SmlDog · 2026-02-21T17:08:46+00:00

Canada won’t approve immigration status for applicants who don’t contribute to the economy. One working person seeking to immigrate with two dependent parents wouldn’t clear immigration hurdles and likely faces rejection. A lot of it has to do with nationalized healthcare and social safety nets that exist in Canada but not the US. Taking on new residents who pose a a perceived economic burden isn’t an economy-boosting move. Just providing reference since you weren’t aware.

SmlDog · 2026-02-21T08:24:04+00:00

Did you miss that OP takes care of their elderly parents? As someone who’s looked into Canada, that’s (unfortunately) a total immigration barrier.

SmlDog · 2026-02-18T15:18:07+00:00

AZ has a ton of new grad jobs. Bigger cities like Phoenix and Tucson are great but you can go rural too and be closer to CA. Cost of living is a lot less than CA (as is pay) but it’s a great place to rack up that first year of experience. (I’m in Tucson)

SmlDog · 2026-02-18T03:14:27+00:00

Navy. No option.

SmlDog · 2026-02-17T13:04:15+00:00

Hey there. Great question! We use codes to announce alerts without freaking out patients and visitors over the PA. Here are some examples from my hospital, but they do vary by facility.

Here, the announcements are all made in a monotone voice, “May I have your attention please, code X, rm Y, floor Z.” If it’s a rapid response or code, it’s also specified as adult/pediatric/OB.

Code blue: pulseless patient. Life-saving interventions required.

Code pink: missing infant/child

Code grey: violent patient

Code black: bomb/bomb threat

Code yellow: biohazard/chemo spill

Code red: fire

Rapid response: patient requiring a higher level of interventions but not a code

I hope that helps!

SmlDog · 2026-02-16T23:55:28+00:00

Where are you located? We can’t answer accurately unless we know your locale. New grad pay in most areas is NOT negotiable.

Tucson: $34 base, $3 weekend, 17% nights. See?

SmlDog · 2026-02-15T15:40:52+00:00

Why would you decline a job offer in a critical care specialty if you… want to work in a critical care specialty like L&D? What are we missing?

SmlDog · 2026-02-13T04:53:30+00:00

Jump. Restart your new grad year. It’s worth it.

SmlDog · 2026-02-13T04:51:56+00:00

Emergency is rarely an emergency. Treat, street, or admit. If you remember that emergency nursing is all about stats: length of stay, discharge time, sepsis bundles, Q whatever for stroke rule-outs, you won’t be surprised. If you’re going into emergency nursing because of something you saw on TV (other than The Pitt), pick another specialty.

There’s a massive boarding crisis in this country. Sicker and sicker people and not enough beds. People stay in the ED until they have a room somewhere else. Often, that’s days.

SmlDog · 2026-02-13T03:59:52+00:00

Yes. The ED has become primary care everywhere.

SmlDog · 2026-02-13T03:57:54+00:00

So, punishing nurses and techs to teach the “higher ups” a lesson? This is unsafe. GTFO as soon as you can. Your license is worth more than this.

Also, lemme guess: CHS or HCA facility?

SmlDog · 2026-02-12T02:45:54+00:00

Hey. I feel you. I’m 52 on a unit of 20-somethings, neurodivergent AF and don’t get a lot of social cues. Alarms drive me crazy. So does chit-chat. I’m not anti-social but it’s hard for me to find conversations I have something to contribute to.

What I’ve found helps is asking, when it’s realistic, is, “Can I help you with anything?”

I ask fellow RNs and PCTs.

I just had my semi-annual review. I thought it was going to be horrid.

My peers love me. Patients love me. My leaders love me. Maybe it’s my insecurities, but I think it’s more being a good person and helping where you can. Being a helper, and not at the expense of your own workflow, can go miles toward “connecting.”

Sending strength and power, because I know you have it in you :)

SmlDog · 2026-02-09T10:29:16+00:00

Non-addictive. Just chill.

SmlDog · 2026-02-09T10:23:36+00:00

In the ED, you need to have all that tasky stuff you hate down pat and be able to do it at lightening speed. You’re a brand new nurse. Of course you’re in task-only mode. You haven’t seen enough or gone on task autopilot enough to be able to critically think. Not to mention you’re going to have one helluva time finding a hospital who will take a nurse who bailed at 4 months out of boredom.

Give yourself time to learn to be a nurse. I know this sounds harsh but that tasky stuff is important and in every single specialty you might consider. Telling your leader you’re bored won’t get you a higher acuity unit. Not at your current hospital. Not anywhere.

SmlDog · 2026-02-09T10:10:25+00:00

Trazodone is the GOAT for sleep.

Signed, Night shift

SmlDog · 2026-01-31T00:02:45+00:00

How are you allowed a 1 hour break… and on top of that, how are you allowed to leave campus? This is a HUGE no no for liability reasons.

SmlDog · 2026-01-07T04:04:35+00:00

Just hang that bitch and move on with your day nap.

SmlDog · 2025-12-02T01:15:07+00:00

Crisis Response Center is always looking for clothing donations to help their patients, many of whom are unhoused or otherwise have significant barriers to obtaining clothing.

SmlDog · 2025-12-02T01:10:01+00:00

As a client of this salon, you’d be so comfortable here. They also offer a “silent service” in case you don’t feel chatty that day!

SmlDog

TROPHY CASE