Are you and RN? Do you like your facility/job?

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Apr 2, 2009

Do you work in the START unit? I'm an RN on the south campus as well and I work in JSOP (love it!).

I worked for OU medical center for about 2 years and though it gave me a great background for anything else I do (I worked in ICU) if you like where you at now, stay. It is HARD to find a GOOD nursing job....nurses are overworked, stressed out, and underpaid for the most part. I had 12 weeks orientation (and I work on that same unit for a tech for over a year....which means I did a LOT) and I still felt like I was thrown into the fire. I started to hate nursing and was thinking about going into a different career altogether until I started working in the JSOP unit.

I love my job now.... I like the people I work with and the boys.

Are you wanting to stay in the psych field or go into more medical nursing? After 2 years working that unit are you getting sick of it or is it a job you really enjoy? Even though your a new RN grad, your not a new nurse...read the New Grad forum here to see what the new grads are facing. Anyways, your smart to do your homework before finding a new job!

If I were you I would stay on where you at now as prn or in the float pool that way if you can't find anything else you like, you will still have your job in the START unit (which I've heard is a great place to work). Good nursing jobs are few and far between.

sonjamontg · Apr 2, 2009

Yes, I work on START or at least I did as an LPN. Not for sure what my options are going to be with staying there as an RN. Hope to talk to my mgr in the morning about that.

I do like it there as well as the docs, and the staff are great. I am just afraid that I may hurt myself by staying there and not getting some experience in med surg, ICU or somewhere. I have always thought that I would like cardiac care just dont think I want to commit to the every other weekend thing at this time.

Thank you for your great advice and I will be sure to check out the new grad forum. Would love to pick your brain some more. Is there anyway you can contact me personally sometime?

Thanks again for your time.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Apr 2, 2009

I do think it's a good idea to get some medical background like you said. I have my ICU background and I AM VERY glad I have that. If any situation comes up in my unit now I would feel prepared to know what to look for and how to handle it. I also know what can wait and what to call the Dr for. It also makes me realize what an easy job I have now....lol

I think ICU is better than med/surg (this is my my opinion though). ICU you just have 1-2 patients and though you will be really busy and they will be really sick patients, you will learn a LOT, get great time management skills, as well as SEE a lot of conditions (I did PICU and we got and saw everything!), and do a lot of skills and pick up excellent assessment skills.

I was in hospital orientation with a few people who were going to be starting in the CCU and also the step down unit and they were all nice and friendly! Some were new nurses, some had a lot of experience, different ages and backgrounds. The steph down manager seemed like a nice guy from what I could tell. If I ever get bored with my job now I know I could always go back to the ICU. Like riding a bicycle. I think I might like to work as a NOW nurse later on, that would be a fun challenge.

Good luck and congrats on passing the NCLEX!