I'm a nurse. Ask me anything about nursing

[Angel_]

Thank you everyone for answering my questions, I'm really thankful!!!

Edited January 16, 2018 by Angel_

[Philipkee]

Thank you everyone for answering my questions, I'm really thankful!!! ð I've been curioused for a long time now, so to have my many questions (I'm sorry), it feels really amazing HAHAH!!! Thanks!

 

I see, so I should get more work experience first after my diploma before applying for advanced diploma is that right? And a degree if I'm interested. I'm looking into critical care, perioperative, neuroscience, perianesthesia, medical-surgery and paediatric @NYP for advanced diploma. Does the salary for each specialization differs a lot? I have interest in them so I really don't mind. What's important is the salary because I'm an only child, and I have to provide for my mum HAHA! I'll consider myself really lucky to know what I want to do. Moreover, it's something that I really like and most importantly, my job.

 

Oh, and last year when my mum was hospitalized, I realized that some of the nurses wore scrub and some wore the standard uniform, why is that so?

 

Anyways, I really can't wait to join the health sector family HAHA!!!

Two points.

 

1) You seem to have a lot of specialty interests. Choose carefully. Where does your interest lie? In terms of which pays more? Complicated. Why? In a govt hospital, all specialties are the same in terms of salary and allowances. BUT if you were to go into private sector, some specialties are in greater demand or overseas so in terms of earning power, some specialties help you earn more in different places but it will be the same if you choose to stick to ONE govt hospital. I say ONE because that is the one you are sponsored from. If you quit and try to join another govt hospital, the govt hospital might not have vacancy for the specialty you chose so it affects your career choices.

 

Tip: Don't choose a niche specialty unless you have an interest in it. I chose emergency nursing cos I have the interest in it but it affects my career choice in a way. A hospital might have many ortho wards, med surg wards or an operating theatre with many theatres (day surgery, major operating theatre) so you can do internal transfers easily but each hospital has only ONE emergency dept so you cannot do internal transfer but you have to resign if you cannot stand the dept you are in.

 

And salary wise, please don't hope for too much. I have worked as a nurse since 2001 with only one career break of five months plus with hopefully one more coming up (see my thread on round the world ). I have an advanced diploma and degree in addition to my diploma in nursing. My basic is slightly over 5k.

 

Your friends who have worked in another career might be earning five digits after 7 (no typo) years so if you are hoping to reach that level quickly it would be a bit hard. But the money is not that little also but in your post you put a focus on salary so have to tell you this.

 

2) Scrub? Uniform? Generally, scrubs are worn in places where there is higher chance of spreading of disease. So you can see nurses in wards wearing uniform while nurses in ane wear scrubs. But some hospitals all wear scrubs. So it varies. An OT nurse, for example, visiting your mum in the ward might be in scrubs so she's a nurse in scrubs in the ward but not a ward nurse in scrubs.

 

In even more specialised areas, the scrubs are worn by the staff and the scrubs are washed by the hospital to prevent cross contamination as can happen when you bring your uniform/scrubs home to wash.

[Angel_]

Two points.

 

1) You seem to have a lot of specialty interests. Choose carefully. Where does your interest lie? In terms of which pays more? Complicated. Why? In a govt hospital, all specialties are the same in terms of salary and allowances. BUT if you were to go into private sector, some specialties are in greater demand or overseas so in terms of earning power, some specialties help you earn more in different places but it will be the same if you choose to stick to ONE govt hospital. I say ONE because that is the one you are sponsored from. If you quit and try to join another govt hospital, the govt hospital might not have vacancy for the specialty you chose so it affects your career choices.

 

Tip: Don't choose a niche specialty unless you have an interest in it. I chose emergency nursing cos I have the interest in it but it affects my career choice in a way. A hospital might have many ortho wards, med surg wards or an operating theatre with many theatres (day surgery, major operating theatre) so you can do internal transfers easily but each hospital has only ONE emergency dept so you cannot do internal transfer but you have to resign if you cannot stand the dept you are in.

 

And salary wise, please don't hope for too much. I have worked as a nurse since 2001 with only one career break of five months plus with hopefully one more coming up (see my thread on round the world ). I have an advanced diploma and degree in addition to my diploma in nursing. My basic is slightly over 5k.

 

Your friends who have worked in another career might be earning five digits after 7 (no typo) years so if you are hoping to reach that level quickly it would be a bit hard. But the money is not that little also but in your post you put a focus on salary so have to tell you this.

 

2) Scrub? Uniform? Generally, scrubs are worn in places where there is higher chance of spreading of disease. So you can see nurses in wards wearing uniform while nurses in ane wear scrubs. But some hospitals all wear scrubs. So it varies. An OT nurse, for example, visiting your mum in the ward might be in scrubs so she's a nurse in scrubs in the ward but not a ward nurse in scrubs.

 

In even more specialised areas, the scrubs are worn by the staff and the scrubs are washed by the hospital to prevent cross contamination as can happen when you bring your uniform/scrubs home to wash.

Salary is important, yes. However, I'm not expecting much (like 5 digit salary etc.) I know that you'll get a very high pay raise as you gain experience in other occupational field, and that's not the case for the healthcare sector. (I just need enough to support my mum, that's all. Frankly speaking, 4K-5K is pretty decent and satisfactory for me HAHA!) The reason why even despite that, I'm still interested in the healthcare sector is because of the satisfaction you get from the job. The fact that you're helping people every day and doing something good, that'll keep me going. I do think it's a very noble job.

 

I see, so if I were to choose emergency department nursing, there'll be no possibility of internal transfer and limits my career choices. Hmmm, if that's the case, I might want to choose perioperative nursing (in the future, of course)! I'll take my time and figure things out and once I'm very sure, I'll start to specialize.

 

By the way, since you work in a hospital, do you by any chance have infos on respiratory therapists and physiotherapists? :)

Edited January 17, 2018 by Angel_

[twchong]

Hi angel_

 

Might not be able to answer all your questions but I will try.

 

1) Degree - higher qualification

Advanced diploma - specialist qualification.

Meaning that after graduation, if you wanna get a degree, go ahead. If you wanna get advanced diploma, assuming hospital will sponsor you, think carefully. Cos once you get the advanced diploma you are considered a specialist or expert already. It's not a title you want to have when you have no experience.

 

Example. You choose peri operative nursing. After graduation from advanced diploma you are expected to know how to assist in let's say brain surgery. You cannot say you don't know cos you are now a specialist and you can imagine the stress if you have never worked one day in OT but somehow you got the qualification. Advanced dip, when they train you, it is assumed you have experience. That is why when I did emergency nursing advanced diploma, nurses from private hospitals were super stressed cos they were expected to assist in resuscitation from day one of attachment but they have little experience since resuscitation is a rare occurance in private hospital but everyday thing in govt hospital.

 

 

Hi Philipkee

 

I will like to understand more about  the 1st point you have typed:

 

You have mentioned that it can be stressful for having no experience while having equipped with an advanced diploma. May I know how long should one work before studying an advanced diploma?

 

Will there be senior staff guiding those newly graduated along the way?

 

 

thanks.

[Kusje]

for once, you have a good point and it's not cynical haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

 

nut yeah i agree. I can give my views as I know the system well...hey, i'm in the field.....but let the head honcho nurse reply first

 

@angel_ u can pm me if you want for differing views

Trying to white knight mah.

[Philipkee]

Hi Philipkee

 

I will like to understand more about the 1st point you have typed:

 

You have mentioned that it can be stressful for having no experience while having equipped with an advanced diploma. May I know how long should one work before studying an advanced diploma?

 

Will there be senior staff guiding those newly graduated along the way?

 

 

thanks.

Hi,

 

Personally I would recommend at least two to three years of work with one year in your chosen specialty. Cos you need to get used to the routine, decide on your specialty, transfer there and gain experience then study. But some were fortunate after graduation they managed to get into the specialty of their choice (not just random posting by HR and since a newly graduates nurse will probably not know what to choose on passing out) they entered advanced diploma sooner. How soon depends on "competition" also.

 

In short, I recommend one year experience in the specialty of your choice.

 

There will be SSN to guide you bit obviously there is a difference between how they guide a newly passed out nurse and a specialist nurse. Example. In ane, newly passed out nurse are placed in routine areas to learn the flow first. Example. Observation bay. Specialist nurses are placed in let's say triage area or critical care or resuscitation bays cos you are supposed to be an expert.

 

If you don't know of cos the seniors will guide you but

 

1) it is an ego issue cos you don't want people to comment behind your back

 

2) you don't want to be asking people what drugs to draw during an actual emergency. First it delays treatment. Second, people will later question your qualifications cos you are supposed to know and you are asking during an actual incident.......

 

Lastly, if you are just saying newly passed out nurses, yes there will be guidance. Preceptors vary but generally they are OK and since you pass out from poly there should be a batch of new nurses so no matter what, you are not alone.

 

Just stay humble though. Some new nurses think they know it all.....

[twchong]

Hi Philipkee

 

Thanks for your detailed explanation. 

 

Since you have worked for so many years, is it possible to share what are the "do and don't" for those working as a new nurse? For instance, you have mentioned one has to be humble. 

 

And how do you juggle between studying PT for your degree and work?

 

thanks.

[Angel_]

Hello again, Philipkee

 

What is the working hour like? And how many off days in a week do you have? Lastly, do nurses use stethoscopes?

[Lala81]

Hello again, Philipkee

 

What is the working hour like? And how many off days in a week do you have? Lastly, do nurses use stethoscopes?

 

Sorry. isn't there any places to intern before u decide to become a nurse? 

[kdash]

Hello again, Philipkee

 

What is the working hour like? And how many off days in a week do you have? Lastly, do nurses use stethoscopes?

 

sorry, just curious to know why you are interested to know about whether nurses use stethoscopes? doesnt seem like a relevant question? 

[Philipkee]

Hello again, Philipkee

 

What is the working hour like? And how many off days in a week do you have? Lastly, do nurses use stethoscopes?

Working hours vary.

1) you can do office hours if you work in a clinic - rare and not recommended for new nurses as you don't learn much as compared to wards or specialised areas

 

2) office hours again in OT but you have on call duty or night duty. There are also three shifts in the theatre as they work round the clock but a lot of office hours cos elective surgeries tend to happen then. The shift and on call are more for emergency cases or if elective cases go beyond schedule

 

3) 12 hrs shifts. Rare but I am doing 12 hrs now. Cos of where I am posted to. I work one day followed by one night followed by two off then rinse and repeat. Research a little more and you will realise which area has such shifts.

 

4) three shifts. Most frequent for nurses. Usually it's a 5 day week meaning four nights with three days off, or morning and afternoon shift 5 days a calender week. I say calender week cos if you are unlucky to get Monday and Tuesday off, you work 5 days a calender week but the following week you work Monday to Friday with weekend off. Also 5 calender day week but you work 10 days at a stretch. Rarely will you rotate day and night shift like today I work day, tomorrow I work night, rest one day then day shift.....

 

@kdash actually that is a very valid question. On stethoscope. Cos nurse ARE supposed to carry stethoscope. Reason is we might need to auscultate a patient before giving nebuliser a or to assess if he is asthmatic or to take manual blood pressure. In theory we can use the dept stethoscope but it sometimes go missing (we always blame the doctors hahahah) or some are just leery of using a stethoscope used by many, even if you clean the ear piece many times it still feels dirty.

 

Someone asked do and don't. Nursing is something like military. All wear uniform or scrubs. So there is some regimentation and chain of command. Like never go over your preceptor head to complain to the nurse manager without telling your preceptor.

 

Don't assume you know it all. School teaches skills in an ideal setting but in the real world things are not so ideal. So don't criticise any practices until you have started working and shown you can work. Easy to be are critic without helping.

Sorry. isn't there any places to intern before u decide to become a nurse?

Don't think so unless you consider student nursing internship but many students upon signing up are already bonded to the hospital so if they regret it then might be too late.

 

Volunteering in a hospital will give a good view of what it is like to work as a nurse but volunteers have a lot of freedom and don't feel the stress as much so maybe not that good.

 

@Angel_ no I don't have much dealings with physiotherapists and respiratory therapists. We sometimes call them to see our patients but we are not really working side by side so to speak.

Edited January 19, 2018 by Philipkee

[Philipkee]

Hi Philipkee

 

Thanks for your detailed explanation.

 

Since you have worked for so many years, is it possible to share what are the "do and don't" for those working as a new nurse? For instance, you have mentioned one has to be humble.

 

And how do you juggle between studying PT for your degree and work?

 

thanks.

Juggling between studies and work? You just have to. Meaning you need to plan your roster carefully. Off days for lessons or exams, morning shift for evening classes, afternoon shift for morning classes.

 

And because there is minimum attendance requirement you need to be careful with your roster cos you don't end up working during your school time too often cos you can only miss this many lessons before you flunk the module.

 

And you need to arrange regarding group presentations. Cos your team mates may be from other hospitals/disciplines with their own rosters. Meeting to practice or for group discussions is a challenge.

 

Sometimes I sleep in class. Cos day shift you start at 7, end at four, class start at 6, end at 9, you go home, next day morning shift.

 

In short, no life. So you wouldn't want to be struggling with routine duties then.

[Kusje]

is there a diff between a nurse steth and doc steth?

 

I bought a so called nurse seth from amazon for about 5 bucks delivered for my daughter to play 

 

the plastic toy ones cannot hear anything

[Angel_]

sorry, just curious to know why you are interested to know about whether nurses use stethoscopes? doesnt seem like a relevant question?

I don't see how it's irrelevant HAHAH! It's still medical stuff and I've seen nurses use them in other countries, but seldom in Singapore. A question out of pure curiosity. :)

 

+ I saw this https://www.sna.org.sg/why-you-shouldnt-share-your-stethoscope/

Edited January 19, 2018 by Angel_

[Philipkee]

is there a diff between a nurse steth and doc steth?

 

I bought a so called nurse seth from amazon for about 5 bucks delivered for my daughter to play

 

the plastic toy ones cannot hear anything

Nope. Sometimes the doctor borrow ours.

 

And yes, you can hear the sounds but must be good quality ones and know how to use it. Degree and advanced diploma you learn how to use it for more purposes than blood pressure though I believe this is also taught at diploma level now.

I don't see how it's irrelevant HAHAH! It's still medical stuff and I've seen nurses use them in other countries, but seldom in Singapore. A question out of pure curiosity. :)

 

+ I saw this https://www.sna.org.sg/why-you-shouldnt-share-your-stethoscope/

The reason why you don't see us carrying it as routine or using it as routine is cos it's not a habit. But yes, we are trained to use them.

[Kusje]

Nope. Sometimes the doctor borrow ours.

 

And yes, you can hear the sounds but must be good quality ones and know how to use it. Degree and advanced diploma you learn how to use it for more purposes than blood pressure though I believe this is also taught at diploma level now.

 

 

k tks. My MIL is a registered nurse but she seems quite ignorant. Probably got registered when standards were much lower in the past.

[Philipkee]

k tks. My MIL is a registered nurse but she seems quite ignorant. Probably got registered when standards were much lower in the past.

Not really fair to say lower standards. Your MIL? Probably passed out when nursing was at certificate level. The first batch of diploma in nursing was I think 1994 or so only.

[Angel_]

Working hours vary.

1) you can do office hours if you work in a clinic - rare and not recommended for new nurses as you don't learn much as compared to wards or specialised areas

 

2) office hours again in OT but you have on call duty or night duty. There are also three shifts in the theatre as they work round the clock but a lot of office hours cos elective surgeries tend to happen then. The shift and on call are more for emergency cases or if elective cases go beyond schedule

 

3) 12 hrs shifts. Rare but I am doing 12 hrs now. Cos of where I am posted to. I work one day followed by one night followed by two off then rinse and repeat. Research a little more and you will realise which area has such shifts.

 

4) three shifts. Most frequent for nurses. Usually it's a 5 day week meaning four nights with three days off, or morning and afternoon shift 5 days a calender week. I say calender week cos if you are unlucky to get Monday and Tuesday off, you work 5 days a calender week but the following week you work Monday to Friday with weekend off. Also 5 calender day week but you work 10 days at a stretch. Rarely will you rotate day and night shift like today I work day, tomorrow I work night, rest one day then day shift.....

 

@kdash actually that is a very valid question. On stethoscope. Cos nurse ARE supposed to carry stethoscope. Reason is we might need to auscultate a patient before giving nebuliser a or to assess if he is asthmatic or to take manual blood pressure. In theory we can use the dept stethoscope but it sometimes go missing (we always blame the doctors hahahah) or some are just leery of using a stethoscope used by many, even if you clean the ear piece many times it still feels dirty.

 

Someone asked do and don't. Nursing is something like military. All wear uniform or scrubs. So there is some regimentation and chain of command. Like never go over your preceptor head to complain to the nurse manager without telling your preceptor.

 

Don't assume you know it all. School teaches skills in an ideal setting but in the real world things are not so ideal. So don't criticise any practices until you have started working and shown you can work. Easy to be are critic without helping.

Don't think so unless you consider student nursing internship but many students upon signing up are already bonded to the hospital so if they regret it then might be too late.

 

Volunteering in a hospital will give a good view of what it is like to work as a nurse but volunteers have a lot of freedom and don't feel the stress as much so maybe not that good.

 

@Angel_ no I don't have much dealings with physiotherapists and respiratory therapists. We sometimes call them to see our patients but we are not really working side by side so to speak.

Thank you very much for answering my questions, you're really a great help!!! People always said to ask someone in the field where you want to work to find out what the job is really like. Now that I did, I'm even more sure of what I want. Thank you! :)

 

Unrelated, but I've been watching documentaries on weird cases in the ER (in western countries, of course) and it's really entertaining HAHA!

 

(it's these series) https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=yh7AgEb2Iso

 

Which brings me to ask, what is the weirdest case you've ever seen in the ER? (Considering you mentioned that that is the department you're working at)

Edited January 19, 2018 by Angel_