Almost Nursing Students Wonders About Current Job

[rel4507]

Hey guys,

I'm new here, but start nursing school in the Fall. I already hold a BA in Theatre, but after graduation began working for a large hospital in the Home Health Dept. I had three years experience as a nurse aid before beginning work here. I was PRN and picked up shifts other places too, bouncing over to Renal/Oncology (I hated it) and eventually landing in the Psych ward. Which I love. I do. I was a Unit Clerk/ Psych Tech before getting my current position of Registrar. I've been having concerns for awhile and they kind of came to a head today as I was talking to a Unit Clerk who transferred from here to ICU.

My main areas of concern are being stuck in the Behavioral Health Unit after nursing graduation. Here a lot of the time, the dept you work in while in school is the one you Graduate Nurse in after getting your license. I don't want to end up with no med experience at all as a nurse, but I do love Psych. Another is my current salary. It is far too low for someone with a Bachelors no matter what it is in. The girl I was talking to was telling me they are currently hiring for a unit clerk in ICU, I would probably get a fairly decent pay increase and could still work night shift. Plus I'd be on 12's instead of 8's, alternating 3 and 4 days off every other week. She also said that it is likely I could get a preceptorship in ICU after graduating, thereby getting the medical experience I want. The Psych ward is also a fairly heavy breeding ground for drama, and while it doesn't affect me too much, she was driving a pretty decent recruiting bargain.

I love my job, but I feel like I am kind of stuck here, both financially and career wise. After working for 5 hard years, getting a degree and then deciding to become a nurse, I just can't fathom making what I currently am until I graduate nursing school. But I do enjoy my job. But I might enjoy ICU just as much. I am very isolated here, I work largely by myself and while I don't mind it, I do miss people a lot.

Any insight? I am just lost. The thought of leaving this department is kind of a scary one.

Thanks! :)

[sukismall]

I am not a nurse, but I am going back to school in the fall to get my rn. As a social worker, I say get more exposure. If you are only in psych ward, you will never seen the other sides of nursing. I wish I had not focused on one area, now Iam stuck in ltc as an lsw. try the shift and see how it feels, having 12s are amazing, and its better for schooling.