Convince Me !

TazziRN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

Personal satisfaction knowing that you made a difference.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

Actually...try agency nursing first! I was working in ANYTHING besides hospital after grad..I just NEVER wanted to go back! I did school camp nursing for an Outdoor school program and loved it (not the hours though...24/5!).

Once I had to leave that job due to family...I wanted to get into school nursing. Took forever and I finally got in...they wanted to send me to 15 different schools a week to help kids, maintain a good health status in all of them (like clean for reviews! Ummm one person?). And a TON Of paperwork! After looking at my job description I said NO!

I went then to an assisted living facilty..that about killed me! 150 pts and ONE nurse! I managed to do it for 4 years because in 5 I had one killer retirement plan earned...year 4..they cancled it! I left! I went agency...scared out of my mind frankly because...how in the heck would I remember all this stuff!

I DID! OMG I did! And I had so much more fun doing the technical aspects once again! I felt valued, and part of a team at one hospital, and they bought out my contract...get that...the HOSPITAL bought OUT my contract! That doesn't happen often! I think they saw my enthusiasm, and yes I had much more to re-learn..but saw the potential!

I have been with them with agency time and as an employee 2 years now! I still love it! YOu could have bowled me over with a feather...but dog gone it...I love it! I once swore to NEVER go hospital again...now I love it, but it was thanks to doing agency first and treading water to see what I wanted!

I know that is my story, but I am not too different from many folks I have met here and in my nursing career really. It is worth a thought....

Good luck...and thanks for taking care of our kids!!!!!!!!!!

Harleyhead · Mar 1, 2007

Okay...been doing school nursing for over 17 years now. Think I need a change. Convince me why I should go back to hospital nursing......give me some feedback ya'll !

you should not go back to hospital nursing.

TazziRN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

you should not go back to hospital nursing.

Wow.....can you possibly be any more negative?

emmycRN · Mar 1, 2007

low census days

only working 3 days/week or less if you want

more interaction with nursing colleagues (could be pro or con)

never a dull moment

building a broader knowledge/skill base

I gave it a try but I have to be honest and say that I have recently thought a lot about leaving the hospital for home health nursing or some other non-hospital working environment. Right now the working hours in hospital is right for me. I hope you find what's right for you as well.

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2007

Hospital nursing in a specialty unit in a teaching facility is awesome. You learn so much and many facilities have cutting edge stuff as they are participating in new studies.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 2, 2007

I loved hospital nursing and being around nurses.

burn out · Mar 2, 2007

Okay...been doing school nursing for over 17 years now. Think I need a change. Convince me why I should go back to hospital nursing......give me some feedback ya'll !

Why are you so sure you want to leave what you are doing? 17 years of experience also means 17 years older than when you started are you sure you want to jump back into the fast paced bell ringing hospital nursing ? Maybe the grass is just looking greener right now. I've been in it for 22 years and a school job sounds wonderful if I could find one.

hikernurse · Mar 2, 2007

Can you work PRN for a bit and see if you like it? That way you wouldn't be burning your bridges :)

Lots of resources in the hospital--pharm, SW, dietary, etc.

Varied work hours (that can definitely be good OR bad)

Someone to lend a hand if you're swamped