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Discussion

Advice

Guess I need a bit of advice. Currently, I am working in an office setting basically as a secretary, however you have to a RN in this role so that you are able to answer questions and manage the department. I have done this job PRN since June 2010 but now they are looking for a FT person to do the job. Of course, everyone thinks I should do the job since I have done it for a while and I know the in's and out's of the job. Well a part of me wants this job for the following reasons: M-F, 8a-5p, no weekends, no holidays). This is a salaried position. My dilema is that I have only been a nurse since 2004 and there are still areas of nursing I want to explore (ICU or even Cardiac, for example). I feel like I did not go to nursing school to sit behind a desk and push papers. I have never thought about nursing management this early in my career, but my current job is similar to a management position.

I want to provide hands-on nursing and work at the bedside. Yes it can be tiresome---working nights, 12 hour shifts, stressful patient load. But it can also be quite rewarding. I even thought about maybe picking up PRN work on a hospital floor while working the office job, but without thorough orientation (which is hard to do working FT, not to mention placing myself in an Overtime status) I don't know how to do it. I know some nurses would jump at the chance to work in an office setting behind a desk, but I am still young and vibrant. I just don't know how to proceed. I will add that I believe working on the floor will actually pay more, as I have the option of shift differential for weekends, nights, and holidays vs salaried pay of working 40 hours/week when I may sometimes work an excess of 40 hrs but not get paid for them.

I just need a little guidance from my other nursing colleagues. I applied for a job in STICU and NTICU, but have not heard anything. I feel a sense of obligation to my current job in the office, but the satisfaction I want can only come from patient care. Would be nice to do patient care FT and maybe do the office on a PRN basis versus the other way around:cool:

Please share your thoughts or ideas

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    My advice right now would be to secure a hospital type of position that you want prior to leaving your current job. Even it that means jumping through the application hoops for the permanent position that you are already doing PRN. The job market is tight.

    Seriously, unless you can afford to go for some time without pay, don't quit your day job.

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    TravelinCEN I totally agree. I am not going to leave my current job unless I have interviewed and secured a permanent job within the hospital. The job market is tight right now for nurses and NO I can not afford to be without a job. The job I am currently doing has been posted for applicants to apply, so I have a pretty good chance of getting it..just hoping that something will come along so I am not stuck in the office. Thanks for your advice.

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    Have you considered using vacation time to do hospital orientation? Take a per diem or part time weekend position in a hospital. I'm sure where are nurses who want weekend days off. You could work a few days a month to get the hands on experience, and keep the office job as full time. I'd be worried that you might take another position, give up the office job, then not be happy in the new position. Good luck.

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    It takes a good two years of solid experience to be somewhat competent in critical care. By that time, a lot of CC nurses are feeling like things are maybe becoming a little easier, and the more they learn, the more they are surprised that they haven't accidentally killed anyone yet.

    Pretty much the same with cardiac. You're working with cardiac patients who are on cardiac monitors. It takes time and practice to learn not only the different rhythms, but how to treat them as well. After about a year or two, you start feeling like things are becoming a little easier.

    Keep doing what you're doing by asking around. Interview nurses in cardiac and critical care, and gather information about what interests you. Its very important to get the descriptions from those who are doing what you want to be doing so that you can decide if it is for you.

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    If you are having serious thoughts about leaving your current job, do it now because down the road you will always wonder "what if"? I highly recommend Med/Surg as a first job as a nurse. You get a little bit of everything and then you can branch out from there once you know what area you most prefer. Yes the hours can stink, but it keeps you on your toes and can be very rewarding.

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    Your job sounds great, but if you strive for other types of nursing you should try it.

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