Ask Nurse Blake: Answers to Readers' Questions

FINDING YOUR RIGHT MATCH

Hey Blake! I would love your insight on how we can come down from the "COVID balloon." Between competitive nurse pay, increased ratios, and ultimately unbothered administration, how will consistent and safe staffing begin again? I feel like there is no reason to be loyal or have allegiance. — Seth F.

Hey Seth, thanks for the great question! You're absolutely right — nursing has seen some crazy changes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

We can’t expect hospital administration to take the lead on this one. I actually see this as an opportunity for nurses to flex their power in the job market. With so many open positions out there, we can be selective and really advocate for the working conditions and compensation we deserve. It's a nurses' market right now, and we shouldn't be afraid to shop around confidently. Don't be afraid to go in and ask for higher pay and better staffing ratios.

Think of it like dating, like Tinder. You get to swipe left as much as you want until you find the right match, and you could go ahead and swipe right. Hospitals that want to attract and retain top nursing talent will have to step up their game. So keep putting yourself out there, Seth, and don't settle for less than you deserve. We, as nurses, get to shape the future of nursing!

Think of it like dating, like Tinder. You get to swipe left as much as you want until you find the right match, and you could go ahead and swipe right.

NAILING THE NCLEX

Nurse Blake! I have been following you for months! I’m a 4th-year student at AdventHealth University in Orlando and will graduate, God willing, in August. I had no idea you graduated from UCF! So proud! My question to you is, what resources did you use to study for the NCLEX? There are so many resources out there, not only to learn from, but especially when it comes to NCLEX prep as well! Any advice you have to offer would be appreciated! Crossing my fingers I can get to your 2024 NurseCon in Orlando! — Dana W.

Dana! First of all, good luck on the NCLEX coming up, you've got this! There are so many different platforms out there for NCLEX prep like UWorld, Kaplan, and more. My recommendation would be to pick one that works well with your study style and stick with it consistently.

Find a solid Q-bank like UWorld and hammer those practice questions hard. But most importantly, believe in yourself!

Start practicing questions early! The more practice questions you can do, the better prepared you'll be. When I was studying back for the NCLEX in 2014, I used a program created by the NCSBN (the people who make the NCLEX), but I’m not sure if that's even around anymore.

Find a solid Q-bank like UWorld and hammer those practice questions hard. But most importantly, believe in yourself! Don't let the probation status get in your head. Keep telling yourself, "I've got this," and visualize that success. Before you know it, you'll be Nurse Dana! Wishing you all the best.

STAYING SAFE AS A NURSE

I work as an EMT and am a nursing student at the same time. I’ve encountered many aggressive, hostile, and violent patients already and wanted to see what your experience has been with this. It’s incredibly discouraging and often makes me question my career choice. How did you handle situations like that and what are your recommendations for people just starting out in the nursing world? — Lea B.

Thanks for sharing your experience and that difficult question, Lea. First off, congratulations on pursuing nursing! Being an EMT while juggling nursing school is incredibly admirable.

Dealing with aggressive, hostile, or violent patients is one of the most challenging and discouraging parts of being a nurse or healthcare worker. It's super unfortunate that nursing is one of the only professions where it's “okay to be abused.” It's completely unacceptable that we face this risk just for doing our jobs, and I believe it should be a felony to hit or to be violent towards any healthcare worker.

My recommendation is to always be proactive. If you ever feel a situation is becoming unsafe, remove yourself and get additional support or security involved. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. If you know that a patient has the potential to be violent or hostile, definitely know where the exit is. Don't ever turn your back on the patient, and always keep the patient in your line of sight. And know that your safety comes first. 

And in the meantime, we have to be proactive about establishing safety protocols. What we can do, as healthcare workers, is to advocate for safe work spaces at our organizational, local, state, and even federal levels. Report every incident, advocate for proper security staffing and training, and push for stronger penalties and zero-tolerance policies. It's going to take all of us being loud about this issue for real change to happen.

I know it's demoralizing, but please don't let the actions of a few make you question your career choice, Lea. We need every caring, compassionate nurse we can get. Stay safe!

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL MATTERS

Can we talk about why there are different shift differentials for eve and night hours? But generally the shifts available now are only offered as 12hr day or night? How is that right? — Hannah B.

Hannah, good observation about why there are shift differentials for evenings and nights, but most hospitals don't even offer those shifts anymore, especially evening shifts. But there are very few facilities that still have evening shifts, especially in departments like the ER.

Listen, if you're going to work the evening or night shift, you should definitely receive that differential pay. Working those off-hours really disrupts your sleep schedule and takes a toll on your life. I know how challenging the night shift, in particular, can be physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Not all hospitals actually offer differential pay — I just found that out! At some facilities, the rate is the same no matter what hours you work, which doesn't seem fair. Working nights and evenings should absolutely come with additional compensation, given the impact on your health and lifestyle.

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