I'm a community nurse now!

... And do not let any nurse tell you that it is not a "real" specialty or nursing job. I've heard this too many times from acute care hospital nurses.

You know what's funny? Very few shifts have I felt like a "real nurse" at my hospital job. Most of the time I feel like a drug wielding paper pusher! I spend most of my time passing meds, charting, and calling other departments to find out why they didn't do their job. Of course I work nights but I think this is even worse on dayshift on my floor. I'm really looking forward to the focus being on the patient and having the time to educate! I think I'll feel more like a real nurse in the community setting than I do now

Congrats! I've interviewed for multiple PHN positions, but I simply cannot afford my student loans (BSN and MPH) working in a county health department. You'll definitely be getting your hands dirty and making a difference!

Yeah health departments all over are really suffering with lack of funding in this economy. It's really sad how many services have been cut and how some facilities have required their employees to take pay cuts instead of raises! You'd think with this Obama-Care situation funding would be increased? But I am a bit confused on how things are funded. Maybe health departments are completely locally funded? As in just the county only? I obviously have a lot to learn. It just seems with the push to give everyone health care under the Obama administration more efforts would be made to beef up the health departments.

Well I've been here a month now! I'm learning a lot and still with a preceptor but I'm about ready to be on my own at least some of the time. I think this month has been the fastest in my life!!! I'm enjoying my weekends and seeing my kids every day.