How would you rate your RN position?

Hi,

I am interested in the different departments, and positions that RN's work. Where do you work? How would you rate your job? What do you do?

What is your opinion is the fastest paced area to work?

Of course I am seeking this information for personal reasons. I am hoping to go to nursing school, but cannot handle slow work environments. I need to go, go, go.

So overall I am interested to know about where you work, and what your likes and dislikes are.

Niki

I work two jobs.

#1 is Med surg (general medical and routine surgeries) at a smaller 80 bed local hospital. It can be fast paced at times, depending on what type of patients I am taking care of. I'd probably rate it a 3 out of ten on the pain scale. I like the medical side of it - I get to practice a lot of skills that I generally don't get. Basically, they're nearly the sickest of the sick (the sickest go to ICU). I don't really care so much for the surgical side, it gets to be pretty routine. The constantly predictable demands of the surgical patients can also get old at times. I could probably write an essay about this.

#2 is an orthopedic float at a larger 500 bed metro hospital. Depending on what unit I work on, it can be extremely fast paced. Alternately, it can be very slow. Personally I'm kind of bored with orthopedics at this point, but it is a good place to get over any qualms you might have about dealing with blood and other bodily fluids.

My suggestion if you're looking for fast paced is look for areas that have a high rate of discharges/admissions with a fairly high ratio (5:1+) if you're set on hospital work. If I were you I'd probably look at outpatient surgery, med/surg, or even an ER at a larger sized hospital if you're good at communication and handling stress.

You don not even seem sure about the nursing school. Your pace can either be as fast or slow as you make it.

I'm a bit baffled though- as a new grad, is it your wish to jump into fast paced pronto? Earn your stripes first and then jump into it.

Thank you so much for your input. I admit at this time, my knowledge of the varied areas are very limited. After working as a housekeeper in a Regional hospital, I loved Emerg. It was relatively fast paced with a high turnover. In addition to this the variation was great.

My current ideals is to work Emerg, and definitely not Paliative or Extended care.

Thank you again for your input!

Niki

Thank you so much for your input. I admit at this time, my knowledge of the varied areas are very limited. After working as a housekeeper in a Regional hospital, I loved Emerg. It was relatively fast paced with a high turnover. In addition to this the variation was great.

My current ideals is to work Emerg, and definitely not Paliative or Extended care.

Thank you again for your input!

Niki

How did a fast paced person such as yourself work in a slow paced place such as housekeeping?Your current ideal? There are all kind of things wrong with this picture you're painting dear.

I won't knock your ideals. I fervently pray it works out as you plan...imagine.

I work in a post ICU pediatric rehab hospital, mostly with infants. I'd rate it 7 out of 10. It would be 10/10 if I could get 36 hours/week consistently, if we got more practice with IV meds, if we were able to push IV meds period except during a code, and if we could start IVs. Other than that I love it.

I think the fastest paced area in nursing is a CVICU or burn ICU. Always going, never time to pee, think, breathe. Constant codes, dressing changes, titrations. Amazing things happen in those ICUs!

I work in an ER. I just love, love, love it. The fast pace, the constant change, the opportunity to really practice some cool skills, you will be a master at starting IV's within two weeks. The first year was hell. I went into the ED as a new grad, but it gets better. I also work pediatrics on a low acuity floor. It's kind of boring but I do love getting to hold the babies. It's a good balance. Good luck on your decision.

How did a fast paced person such as yourself work in a slow paced place such as housekeeping?Your current ideal? There are all kind of things wrong with this picture you're painting dear.

I won't knock your ideals. I fervently pray it works out as you plan...imagine.

I am a new nurse but I worked as a housekeeper for a hotel when I was in my teens and then again in my late 20s. There is nothing slow paced about a housekeeping job. I was never in such good shape in my life. You have to be an extremely hard worker to be a housekeeper.

You have to be an extremely hard worker to be a housekeeper.

Amen to that. Hard work for low pay.

How did a fast paced person such as yourself work in a slow paced place such as housekeeping?Your current ideal? There are all kind of things wrong with this picture you're painting dear.

I won't knock your ideals. I fervently pray it works out as you plan...imagine.

It could just be me, but you seem to be a tad bit condescending in your replies.....no? She merely asked a simple question to those in the field and what are the highs, lows, slows, of their positions/department. Concluding that she has painted a flawed picture of what she wants and the environment she would like to work in as a future nurse based off of a few short sentences, is a tad bit reaching, don't you think?

Thank you so much for your input. I admit at this time, my knowledge of the varied areas are very limited. After working as a housekeeper in a Regional hospital, I loved Emerg. It was relatively fast paced with a high turnover. In addition to this the variation was great.

My current ideals is to work Emerg, and definitely not Paliative or Extended care.

Thank you again for your input!

Niki

Thank you all for your input and support. Perhaps I can clarify a few things.

I am extremely hard working and I always aim high, and bust my bottom to get there. As previously mentioned by a few posts, housekeeping is an extremely hard job when done right. My position at a regional hospital was a cleaner on call. This means, anything that anyone needed cleaned in the hospital, I did it. My duties varied from C. difficile to TB to hemorrhaged birthing rooms. I was the cleaner who cleaned ceilings, walls, used scraper in beds to remove grime, and did the terminal cleans. I was the housekeeper who kept the Norwalk virus from taking over the hospital. I often never got breaks in a day because I was so busy. Though housekeeping may seem easy, as others have mentioned it was extremely past paced, and I enjoyed working in all areas. Except ECU, this one woman kept spitting me, and this one man was a big pincher lol.

Now to the comment made earlier about liking past paced work, but ending up in slow paced housekeeping, and the question as to why I would choose this, I didn't have a choice. In order to pay bills, and get by without living paycheck to paycheck is difficult. Put it this way, I got excited to make 700-800 dollars every two weeks (After deductions) Which decreased after gordon campbell came in. Considering my rent at the time was high, and trying to pay the bills, it seems settling for housekeeping was something I had to do.

As for my interests:

I have worked and volunteered at hospitals from palliative care to Emergency. Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, I don't know these areas very well. As a volunteer for Emergency, for example, I get to take visitors to see their family, fill the blanket warmer, and clean up a loose tissue in the waiting room, thats it! In doing so, I spend most of my time waiting in the waiting room anticipating a visitor, that might actually want to see someone to give me something to do. I admit this is not something I enjoy. To clarify, I don't like sitting waiting for something to happen. I take charge, I'm ambitious and tenacious and I love working with people.

Currently I am a microbiologist working with a company that deals with level 2 pathogens, and the FDA. I am a researcher who always thought finding cures was better rather than treating the individual who needed them. After experience, and with working with zoonotic diseases (previously level 3 pathogen), I have found that it is not rewarding enough. I would rather work on the scene helping people then from behind the sidelines.

Granted I never thought nursing was something I would be interested in at first, however after life experience and research. I know nursing is the path for me. I know too much to glamorize nursing, as it might have previously appeared.

Though some may feel my intentions are not that clear, but believe me, I have done more in my lifetime than my aged counterpart.

As was mentioned by others, I am merely getting insight on where individuals work and what they like about it. Realistically these comments will linger in my mind, and the true test will be to start from the bottom and work my way up. I am not saying I am graduating and jumping right into neonatal or surgery. I am just exploring my options as any responsible person will do. I know first hand experience will be the deciding factor.

I do not expect to know everything when I graduate. I understand I will lack confidence and experience. After all, upon graduating I will probably still be nervous about using a cathetor properly and will probably have to ask where the hole is. (Meant to be a funny)

I hope this did not come off as a rant, I meant only to inform you a little about myself, so quick judgments can be avoided. I REALLY appreciate every response, and I can only hope to be as great, as the nurses that have made such an impression on me.

Best wishes,

Niki

I work in an ER. I just love, love, love it. The fast pace, the constant change, the opportunity to really practice some cool skills, you will be a master at starting IV's within two weeks. The first year was hell. I went into the ED as a new grad, but it gets better. I also work pediatrics on a low acuity floor. It's kind of boring but I do love getting to hold the babies. It's a good balance. Good luck on your decision.

I am curious wildmountainchild,

What made your first year Hell?

Niki:):)

I agree. For some reason Katie you seem to be a tad aggressive, what gives? By the way I'm in the ER Started as a relatively new grad, went in willing to learn and work hard and I am very successful. And if you're wondering Katie most of my previos experience was fast food and bartending