Am I always going to have to battle this????

AmyD_RN · Jun 30, 2006

I have not decided yet. A Dr. friend of mine got me in contact with a float pool mgr. that I need to call this morning. here are my thoughts.....

closer to home....

not as much time though......

wondering about floating, is that good or saying on one floor good...........

not sure about training.,............

she did say there was huge pay incentive for it..............(that could be good or bad)

I guess I just need to talk to her to find allthis out. The reason Ihave to call her today is cause another gal had till yesterday to take the job. For some reason they couldnt' get ahold of her!

Am I crazy ? I am leaning towards the ER 40 min away.

any thoughts on float nursing???

AmyD RN

Lisky90 · Jun 30, 2006

hmmm...this is all new to me. So, hopefully someone else will jump in and post their thoughts on this. My thoughts, personally on floating are this...I think I need to at least master the surroundings of my own floor and feel comfortable there before I could consider floating to a different floor. If I still needed support and being new to this field, I don't know how long I may feel that way, I would need to feel ok knowing it would be there. If you start on one floor, I think you get to know pretty quick if it's there or not. If you were to float to different floors, constantly, you may have the support you need one shift, but not the next. Also, there's the issue of specialty - trying to learn so many different aspects of nursing all at once - I don't know if that is even possible. Up until last Saturday, I worked on Postpartum (as a student; I start my new job as an RN 7/10.) We got a call in the middle of my shift from L&D, screaming for help - they went from 1 pt at 1 cm to 7 pts, some at 10cms, 2 preterm labors, and an abruption...all within 15 minutes. It was absolute mayhem!!!...something I thrive on. I ran over...officially a nurse...but, it was my last night there as a CNA/student...had never officially been trained to do anything over there...but, I could at least do VS and get ice chips. My point is, as nurses from other floors began to arrive, you could see the looks of panic on some of their faces - some experienced nurses, who may not thrive on chaos...but, none the less they did not feel comfortable. L&D is sort of a specialized field to use as a good example...but, I know that the look on some of their faces would have been there no matter where they had been sent...being out of their element.

On the flip side, by working as a float nurse, you will see sooooo much and learn so much about many different things and that is never a bad thing.

I do thrive on chaos and mayhem...and I can usually keep my composure and remain calm amidst crisis. I've had people tell me that some of the things that I've done in the past...things I have loved...prior to doing that I'm "crazy" or "getting in over your head." Had I listened to any of this, I would not have done some of the great things I have done. Only you, know what you can handle and only you know what the right decision is for you. If you seek as much info as you can, and give it as much thought as you can...without driving yourself crazy, of course...as I know firsthand about doing that, too. You will make the right decision for you. Sounds like you have two great options...

mzkede · Jul 1, 2006

Well I got offered the job, totally a God thing. Got the interview within 3 days of sending in app. had 1st, 2nd and 3rd interview within 3 hours and got the job offer 4hours later. Totally wild! Now what do I do?..........LOL

I don't know you, but I'm impressed with your courage and persistence. :yeah: :yeah: :monkeydance: You go Amy!

AmyD_RN · Jul 1, 2006

thanks mzkede!! sometimes I impress myself....LOL Its really not me but God through me, He obviously has a plan and I feel like my feet are flapping in the wind behind me as I struggle to hang on! I am going to enjoy the view and ride though. I can't believe not but less than a month ago I was still studying and wondering if I was silly for doing it!!!

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Jul 1, 2006

Congratulations on the job! Here are some practical suggestions--

I was good at bookwork, but kind of a klutz when it came to skills, so I practiced a lot at home. Example:

1. Get some sterile gloves and practice putting them on at home.

2. Get some IV equipment, and either practice on an understanding friend or relative (I personally did not have any) or roll up a towel and tape it into a long cylinder, so it looks like an arm. Go through all the motions of cleaning, applying tourniquet, looking for "veins", starting IV, removing tourniquet, applying dressing. Although it sounds stupid, you being to gain the "muscle memory" of the actions required. You obviously don't get the experience of actual venipuncture, but at least the initial movements become more automatic.

3. If you haven't primed IV tubing for a while, bring home some (or find a closet at the ED) and practice it. Get familiar with the IV pumps and practice with them.

Anyway, you get the idea. If you can become familiar with some of the equipment, you will be more comfortable.

Hope this helps, and congratulations again!

Oldiebutgoodie

AmyD_RN · Jul 1, 2006

Thanks for the advice, I have decided to accept the position. I know I can handle this!! (so I keep telling myself)...LOL anyways I start orientation either the 10th or 31st. I think I am going to opt for the 10th, no time like the present. Now on to finding child care......LOL

Lisky90 · Jul 1, 2006

Aghhhh!!! That's too funny, I start my orientation on the 10th, too. I'm sure you made the right decision...you know yourself better than anyone and I don't think the position would have been offered to you, had there been any doubt that you could handle it. Someone else commented on how persistent you seem and others have commented on the great qualities you seem to have in being as successful in accomplishing what you have, in the past few days. We'll have this board to compare notes, for support, and it will be great to have someone who is going through the same thing...at the same exact time...in 9 more days to be exact. Cheers to us!!! Congrats to you!!!

LeesieBug · Jul 1, 2006

Congratualtions! :balloons:

The 10th must be a big day. I start hospital orientation for my ED job on the 10th, also! Although, my first day of work is oficially on the 5th, spending time with the nurse educator.

Good luck, AmyD and Lisky90.

Lisky90 · Jul 2, 2006

thank you...good luck to you too. Looking so forward to starting this career. it's so comforting and exciting to know that there are at least two others here who are in the same position with me.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2006

Congratulations on your new job. I feel you should be prepared to struggle and I do not feel it will be as exciting as you think. You have been out of nursing for a very long time, passing the NCLEX just means you are acaedemic-nothing more. How have you prepared practically for the role you are about to undertake? I would have serious concerns if you were coming to work for me. Why ER? Do you not think you would have benefited from a medical surgical job first. I even feel that 3 months orietation would not be enough.

I am really sorry to be so negative but I think you have to be realistic, be prepared for a huge jump in the deep end. You are going to work as an RN not a CNA. I hope and pray that you are given a long long orientation. If you were in my country there is no way you would be allowed to practice as a RN, you would have to do at least 6 months back to work experience and be treated as a student, and pass levels of care, and that would be if you had been away from nursing for just 5 years and had practiced in the past as an RN.

Good luck but I believe strongly that you have to ensure you take it very slowly.

AmyD_RN · Jul 3, 2006

Well I appreciate your honesty, frankly I did not go in looking for ER! I went for OB position. Crazy uh?? They liked something about me (which I am going to ask later what) and asked me if I would give it a try, was told I would not take on load till completely ready and if it didnt' work out I could go to another floor. I am not sure what wild ride I am on but I totally believe God has me here for a reason and His ways are perfect. Thanks again for your honesty!!

AmyD RN

Congratulations on your new job. I feel you should be prepared to struggle and I do not feel it will be as exciting as you think. You have been out of nursing for a very long time, passing the NCLEX just means you are acaedemic-nothing more. How have you prepared practically for the role you are about to undertake? I would have serious concerns if you were coming to work for me. Why ER? Do you not think you would have benefited from a medical surgical job first. I even feel that 3 months orietation would not be enough.
I am really sorry to be so negative but I think you have to be realistic, be prepared for a huge jump in the deep end. You are going to work as an RN not a CNA. I hope and pray that you are given a long long orientation. If you were in my country there is no way you would be allowed to practice as a RN, you would have to do at least 6 months back to work experience and be treated as a student, and pass levels of care, and that would be if you had been away from nursing for just 5 years and had practiced in the past as an RN.
Good luck but I believe strongly that you have to ensure you take it very slowly.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

Well I appreciate your honesty, frankly I did not go in looking for ER! I went for OB position. Crazy uh?? They liked something about me (which I am going to ask later what) and asked me if I would give it a try, was told I would not take on load till completely ready and if it didnt' work out I could go to another floor. I am not sure what wild ride I am on but I totally believe God has me here for a reason and His ways are perfect. Thanks again for your honesty!!
AmyD RN

I really mean it when I wish you all the best, Please keep us updated and if you need help or anything, we are here for support.