[red_baron]

Hey all,
I recently accepted a Burn ICU job in NJ. I'm a new grad and if i pass the NCLEX i will start sometime in March.

For the past 4 years i've been an EMT and have a lot of 911 experience under my belt. Reason i took this job is because im a hungry student, and i think it will be an amazing opportunity to learn a lot. Just from interviewing with the BICU manager i was told that i will see multiple problems with pt's (renal, cardiac, fluids, etc.)

The orientation is 4 months, (ACLS, PALS, Disrrhythmias class, and i will be cross trained in all other ICU's in the hospital)

So several people already told me that im crazy for taking this job, that i will burn out, that its going to be really difficult. Now im set in my ways and pretty stubborn and still think that this will be good for me. But in the back of my mind im questioning it as well.

I went for a tanking procedure, just to see what its like. Didn't bother me at all, im used to seeing patients in their worst moments of life. The pt was 29% burns (arms and legs) from "huffing" (sniffing spray pain cans), the stove pilot light caught on and blew up in their face.

I need a burn nurse to level with me, hehe i know im asking for a lot.

Oh and what does the saying "once a burn nurse, always a burn nurse" mean?

[redwinggirlie]

I think it will be the best job you'll ever have.
Oh, and the once a burn nurse thing..... well I think I said it above.
Nothing will be as good...
All the best to you.

[NursePhish]

Never would I have thought that I would want to work in a Burn Center. Just over a year ago, at the urging of a friend, I applied and accepted a transfer to our Burn Center. I have never been happier. Burn nursing can definitely be hard, not only physically but emotionally, but the rewards reaped are so well worth it.
Good luck to you in your decision.

[mystic33]

Can you tell us what the rewards are????

Originally Posted by NursePhish

Never would I have thought that I would want to work in a Burn Center. Just over a year ago, at the urging of a friend, I applied and accepted a transfer to our Burn Center. I have never been happier. Burn nursing can definitely be hard, not only physically but emotionally, but the rewards reaped are so well worth it.
Good luck to you in your decision.

[zuzi]

Burns, burn is true! Here a former Burn RN! Is a long time commitment with client, a only little mistake can compromisse all your work, in the first hours the situations can be changed in a second, suprevision all the time, assesments, A lot of IVs and catheters, Oxygen and tents, a lot of baths, partials or all, ICU staff, ER staff, need to be ordonate and logical mind!
Is rewarding when you see a % high score going by his feet at home even if he has scarrs but was surviving is a miracle!
RN in burn area make miracles!Hugs!

[mint_julep7]

burns were my first real wonderful experience as a nursing student. i left it behind to move back to arkansas for a boy... sigh. stupid girl. ANYway, everyday the need to go back to burn nursing beats me in the back of my head, and i ran across this site looking for jobs. i have nursed through some horrific accidents, but then the sick humor of nursing keeps me going. when i get a guy that was burned because he was working on his hot water heater naked, well... and i hope yall don't hate me for this... but a story like that makes my day. i have also had patients recover beautifully after months of being on the unit, and they become like family, which also makes my day. it involves all body systems, and is a thinking job. it is rewarding and heartbreaking and amazing and it will blow your mind. if you enjoy it now you will be hooked forever.