Calling all nurses! (Or nurses-to-be)

[katiedid36]

I am happy to report things are going well! First semester is 3/4 done. I am already registering for the next semester which starts in January. We are planning on going down to WDW the week before classes start for a much needed break. I can't believe after waiting 2 looong years that this semester is winding down.

 

[emh1129]

katiedid36- That's great-- you'll be all rested & relaxed for the Spring semester

fantasia- nothing wrong at all with taking it nice and slow. I took quite a few of my pre-reqs one at a time, so I could still be a SAHM most of the time. It's all heading in the right direction!

wheresfigment- it's something that's on my mind, too, as I near graduation. I just attended a conference this week that addressed this, too, and I was relieved to hear & see that it's really projected to improve in the next year or two. Quite a few people who had graduated in the May 2010 class were just recently hired in October/November. So they're all finding jobs, but it's just taking a little bit longer and GNs are having to be a bit more flexible about where they're willing to work.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I am so ready for this semester to be over! It's definitely been a stressful one

There are roughly 4 more full weeks of classes before final exams start.. in that time I have 5 exams, a term paper, a project, and 4 9.5-hour clinical days before finals.

I've heard that next semester isn't as bad, thankfully. That one entails Psych, Community, nursing research, and a gen ed (History).

 

[emh1129]

Some links I wanted to share with all of you-- one sweet & one just plain funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6teHGhoG8I&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdI2zSLob_Q&feature=share

 

[dakcp2001]

Some links I wanted to share with all of you-- one sweet & one just plain funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6teHGhoG8I&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdI2zSLob_Q&feature=share

Thank you for sharing, I needed that!

 

[dakcp2001]

How are all you nurseys doing?

 

[15isto2]

UK Registered General Nurse, started training in 1991 qulaified in 1994. Worked in ICU/Cardiology and ER, since 1999 have worked as a Resuscitation Officer.

 

[Disneylover79]

I am a ARNP for a cardiology group and we are seeing season hit hard!!!!!! I can easily see 30 or more patients in a day!!!! But guess what I LOVE WHAT I DO!!! Happy Friday everyone

 

[emh1129]

Thank you for sharing, I needed that!

Glad you liked it




I have 14 days until my pinning ceremony.. which makes me wanna dance like this ..

 

[MomRN]

I'm in a funk. I've been doing a specialized surgical floor (primarily ortho) for almost 2 yrs. Our census has been down over the last 6 months so there have been lots of on-call/low census (optional, but hard to say no to) and floating (which I hate). I love the job I do, the co-workers, the manager, scheduling. However, I told myself once I got a year of general knowledge in I would want ICU. I start my Master's in something soon, and I want a broader knowledge base before starting. Because I don't work a monitored floor, I feel like an idiot when it comes to strips.

Anyway... do I stay or do I go? I hate change, but there is a huge opportunity for growth and education... no more floating... call-offs rare and mandatory overtime is more likely since it's a closed unit.

I've been waiting for 6 months for a position to open, so if I sit on it too long I may miss the opportunity for awhile.

I just don't know what to do.

 

[laurie31]

From what you wrote, it sounds like you should go for it, and you will regret it if you don't.

You wrote pros for the change and cons for not changing (except for the fact that you hate change - which we all do. The Unknown is a scary thing). But just based on what you wrote, this is a change you want. You should do it, it will be okay.

I was terrified to take my current job and leave my previous one. Do you know the saying, when God closes a door, He opens a window? Well, in my case He didn't just open it, He shoved me through it. LOL. (because I, too, am terrified of change). But I am SO happy I made the move. I think you will be, too.

 

[fraggle551]

Hello everyone! I am starting a course for my CNA december 20. That will take 2 months and then I will start the pre-reqs for my BSN. I already have a bachelors in something else, so I will be able to get my BSN in 1 year after I finish all the pre-reqs. I'm excited and a little scared about the CNA. I am getting that first to get experience, get my foot in the door, hopefully get some good experience, and to bring money in while taking my pre-reqs. It's nice to have found this thread!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm in a funk. I've been doing a specialized surgical floor (primarily ortho) for almost 2 yrs. Our census has been down over the last 6 months so there have been lots of on-call/low census (optional, but hard to say no to) and floating (which I hate). I love the job I do, the co-workers, the manager, scheduling. However, I told myself once I got a year of general knowledge in I would want ICU. I start my Master's in something soon, and I want a broader knowledge base before starting. Because I don't work a monitored floor, I feel like an idiot when it comes to strips.

Anyway... do I stay or do I go? I hate change, but there is a huge opportunity for growth and education... no more floating... call-offs rare and mandatory overtime is more likely since it's a closed unit.

I've been waiting for 6 months for a position to open, so if I sit on it too long I may miss the opportunity for awhile.

I just don't know what to do.

Mandatory Overtime completely SUCKS. I don't know if you've ever had to do it before, but we had years we had to do it a LOT and it was extremely stressful. And I wasn't a Mom then. Nurses who were Moms were ballistic - with good reason. Nothing worse than worrying every working shift whether you're going to be able to go home or not. (And no good for pt care, either.)

OTOH, change is good. Growth is good. Think outside the box. Maybe there's something else that would allow you to grow without subjecting yourself to Mandatory OT?

Another thing to think about - if you're starting school, will that impact you in starting a new job?

Food for thought. Good luck with your decsion. I could work on rythms with you if you ever want help.

 

[badblackpug]

RN for 18 years. Mostly emergency & shock/trauma. There is no mandatory overtime in my state, but I could work 7 days a week if I chose.

 

[MomRN]

Mandatory Overtime completely SUCKS. I don't know if you've ever had to do it before, but we had years we had to do it a LOT and it was extremely stressful. And I wasn't a Mom then. Nurses who were Moms were ballistic - with good reason. Nothing worse than worrying every working shift whether you're going to be able to go home or not. (And no good for pt care, either.)

OTOH, change is good. Growth is good. Think outside the box. Maybe there's something else that would allow you to grow without subjecting yourself to Mandatory OT?

Another thing to think about - if you're starting school, will that impact you in starting a new job?

Food for thought. Good luck with your decsion. I could work on rythms with you if you ever want help.

Thanks for offering to help. I've known them before, but it's one of those things that if you don't use you lose. From what I hear, it's a mandatory on-call shift per two weeks, so that's not unreasonable.

I would love, love, love to work PCU... our step-down unit, but I hear the manager is absolutely awful. Nurses with decades of experience are leaving. So that elimates that option for me. Regular telemetry also has a not great manager (not as bad, but not great) and a few nurses on the floor that are less than pleasant. So one of the biggest pros to staying is a good manager and awesome coworkers. Another benefit is our scheduling... I don't have to work Christmas Eve/Christmas this year because we get to choose 2 holidays and we are guarenteed to work within our top 3 choices.

Another hospital isn't really an option because there are only 2 in the immediate area.

 

[momof5boys]

MomRN take the ICU job! You said it yourself, you would have to wait along time for another open position there! Besides if you really hated it(which I doubt) it would be easier to find an open floor position. You will do just fine, go in with an open mind. Oh and the strips will become easier once you start seeing them all the time! Goodluck!

 

[Mandychelle79]

Im 3/4 of a nurse. One more semester to go. Have passed each semester with a B. Did well on the two Hesi exams I have taken so far.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I'M FREE FROM NURSING SCHOOL FOR A WHOLE MONTH!!!

5th semester down, 3 more to go! I just got some of my final exam grades back.. just waiting on Pathophysiology now... I've passed Pedi with a B, Maternity with a B+, and Geriatrics with an A.

This has by far been the worst/most difficult semester EVER and I'm just so relieved it's finally over!!

 

[fraggle551]

Hello! I just started my CNA class today. I'm so excited! I will be going on to my RN after this, but wanted the experience, to get my foot in the door, and to become comfortable in the hospital setting.

Now my question...what are everyones favorite scrubs? The ones I have right now feel like sandpaper.

 

[dakcp2001]

Hello! I just started my CNA class today. I'm so excited! I will be going on to my RN after this, but wanted the experience, to get my foot in the door, and to become comfortable in the hospital setting.

Now my question...what are everyones favorite scrubs? The ones I have right now feel like sandpaper.

Tafford.com, I like toe boot cut pants style but the scrubs are all comfy. I also love Cherokee.