[montieICURN]

I have been a nurse for 20 years, and an ICU nurse for 18 years in the same ICU. I have always said that I wanted to work in a CTICU. I love heart patients. We do take care of thoracotomies and AAA repairs in our unit, but not hearts. I have raised most of my children and have gone back to school. I am studying for the CCRN and I will complete my BSN in early 2008. I have tried to force myself to take the plunge in to a different unit for years, but It's so hard to leave when you are comfortable. I have been really sad about leaving all of my friends, and the doctors, for weeks.

I've decided I need to concentrate on the new and exciting adventure on which I am about to embark. It's scarry though, I feel like I will be going from the smartest nurse to the dumbest nurse in the unit. I've been buying books and studying a lot. I have to look on the bright side to get through my last 2 weeks at my current job. I actually joined this forum to help me through (instead of going to counseling) and I'm finding it so enjoyable!!

[SICU Queen]

Excellent!

With all the years of experience you have, orienting to hearts is going to be a piece of cake for you, honestly.

I'm glad you're feeling better about things. I know you were seriously bummed about your old job. I left a job of 10 years a couple of years ago and was devastated by it... and now I look back and see that it was the absolute best thing that I could've done for myself.

Way to go!