Back on med/surg after 15 years

[TinyDancer01]

How are things going for you?

[unknownjulie]

Hello all! Would you believe I am still on orientation? Yep, but just about finished. I will not go into all the shortcuts I have had to learn to care for 6 or 7 acutely ill patients and how many times I thought I would not be able to figure it out. Really embarrassing since I have done the same job in the past! But, the job has evolved into something I barely recognize.

I have a lot of trouble leaving soiled people and calling a tech to come and clean them up but it's the only way I can get from one task to another at lightning speed.

In spite of all of this, I am glad I am doing this because it will make me employable just about everywhere! I am excited to think of that and also of the skills I am getting back into shape. I still suck at IV's but am slowly getting practice. I am learning all the new medications as well.

Another observation I made this week is of how people will steal stuff out of hospitals now. I just don't remember having to watch equipment for this in the past.

I'll make another post after a couple of months on my own. (If I survive it. I still think I could make a huge error or alternately be let go from the hospital because I've been so slow to catch on) Take care everyone!

[TinyDancer01]

Thanks for the update! So glad you’re still hanging in there! It gives me hope! I have an interview soon to jump back into the hospital as well so we will see how that goes!

[unknownjulie]

Good luck at your interview and let us know if you get it!

[unknownjulie]

Tiny Dancer did you get back into acute care? Anyhow, I am still working and avoiding errors thus far. I was trying to think of some inspiring things to say! I made it! I never thought I could do it, but here I am.

It is hard for me to get excited yet, because I am like a new grad still. I am terrified of going to work and thankful to make it through a shift. I really enjoy working with the younger nurses. They are like a breath of fresh air to me. They are so smart and know certain things that mystify me like various dating habits these days. The world has changed so much. They caution me about mean doctors and they seem fine to me. The standards have changed. Anyhow, it's been a great experience overall aside from my stress and I hope to put my year in on my unit and then look for something that is higher paying and with better working conditions. And BTW, I still suck at IVs. 15 years is too long for it to come right back...

[Swellz]

I'm sure the IV thing will just take time!

[TinyDancer01]

For everyone wondering, I was offered a position but turned it down. I'm now wondering if the extra money is worth changing retirement plans for now. I don't have much in the deferred comp plan I have but if i stay I'll have a small pension (like $15-20,000 a year for life depending on how long I work so not much). I'm trying to decide if I start over in a different plan if I could have a better retirement or not since I would be making more. I know I can contribute more now but I don't make enough to squeeze out anymore. If i leave i could make $12-15,000 more a year starting out than i do now but I have only 15 or so years to get it built up.That's assuming I could last in acute care til 65!! I do have my husband's retirement that I will continue to get even if he dies before me so I won't be broke by any means. It would just be the difference of struggling to make ends meet or not. Staying home with my babies and then working prn for many years did me no favors financially.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

On 4/5/2019 at 10:52 AM, TinyDancer01 said:

I'll have a small pension (like $15-20,000 a year for life depending on how long I work so not much).

As you get closer to retirement age (or early retirement age) this fact will be more important. 20K a year will make a difference in your life when you consider what you will make from social security.

Check out the social security website online to see how much you will earn on social security. You might even be able to retire early with the addition of extra pension money!

[TinyDancer01]

5 hours ago, Hoozdo said:

Check out the social security website online to see how much you will earn on social security. You might even be able to retire early with the addition of extra pension money!

Great idea! Thanks so much! I see that it does make a bigger difference than I expected.