A little about me, I have almost 4 years experience in sub-acute rehab/ LTC/ hospice/ palliative/ and a little psych. I am currently working in a COVID unit initiated by my facility. My goal is to increase my critical thinking skills and be able to have an acute experience at least in a hospital setting.
I recently applied to 2 positions (PCU because it only has nightshift position available and surgical unit) at a hospital near my house. I just did the interview with a ICU/PCU nurse manager and the assistant NM at a community hospital. The interview went fine. They were talking really fast regarding what kind of patients they have in their unit. So, I wasn't able to jot a lot of things down.
What I did write was that the floor has 23 patients with 2 techs. Nurse/patient ratio is 1:4-1:5. They said they did 1:6 at one time because so many nurses called out but she does not expect this as norm. Most of their patients seems mix. They did mention cardiac monitoring (she said nurses do this), titrating drips such as cardizem or insulin, as well as patients being on continuous bi-paps. They also have stroke patients. The NM said she is going to give me 8 weeks of orientation with at least another week if needed so a total of 9 weeks. I asked her if I needed more would she give it to me, she said she tries not give too much orientation because budget wise.
Impression from NM seems scary. She was straightforward and strict and pretty hardcore in my opinion. She expects her nurse to be a "positive but a hustler" and "not to sit down until everyone does". So, she expect you to be on your feet at all times. ANM seems pretty chill.
After the interview, the HR called me and told me that the NM was offering me the job. HR said differently of course with the duration of orientation weeks when she interviewed me because I did mention how I do not have acute experience and if taking PCU job would be quite a jump since that is above med-surg. She did mention about how nurses needs time to find their own niche. She said if PCU is not for me then "we can re-evaluate and find the right place suitable" for me. IDK how true she is to her words or she's just fluffing me up, but I did have a pleasant conversation with the HR. I asked the HR to give me a day to consider.
I am having anxiety because this is quite a big jump. I wanted a job nearby because it's closer to my house, 10 minute drive. The only downside is that the only available jobs are ER, ICU, and PCU. I see a lot of seasoned nurses working here. I heard there are nurses who worked for more than 15 years.
In this hospital, according to their career website, they are mainly hiring a lot of ICU nurses and I see only 1 PCU dayshift nurse job availability (I took the nightshift). They do have a main teaching hospital (same organization) with more job options to choose from but it is 20-30 minutes away.
****Fast forward, in the end, I ended up having to accept the job offer but I am having anxiety because I don't think I have the critical experience/thinking for this type of setting and have been thinking of what if I don't do well during orientation and be let go or what! I would like to do well on this job because I want to further my nursing experience in critical care, but I am just scared of the possible what ifs. It's a big learning curve as well. What do you guys think?? Anyone have transitioned well form LTC to a PCU? How was your transitional experience?
I will not start until April 4. I actually could have started next week but I just accepted the position last Friday. My husband said it was too soon and no time to prepare. We just moved here in FL from NE also so everything is new for me. I plan to review and read my medsurg book and watch video till then so that I’m a little prepared. Im so excited for us and good luck on your 2nd week. Im sure we will both learn a lot.
Specializes in Progressive Care, Med-Surg, Geriatrics.
On 3/13/2022 at 12:51 PM, Arisztel said:
Hello again! Oh wow your skilled exposure is way better. I actually did some of those. some of our LTC resident had Foley so I did those. I also did bladder scanning and straight cath. Since I work nights I had to do blood draws too. Im successful on some blood draws but not always. We did not have people with trachs, I never inserted IV there although We had skilled that came in with PICC and are on IV abx. I got to those and liked it. Im very proactive at work before if I have opportunity to try and my coworker have time to teach me I always jump on it. I got really good doing montoux test. In my 1 year there I really learned a lot I just lack confidence now since Im going to be in a new environment and I know my limitations. Im nervous that my new coworker will not be supportive of me and my growth. I had a good support system where I worked and most us were new nurses so we really tried to help each other out as much as we can. Yes I will ask them more details. Thank you! Hope your rocking your orientation.
Hey how are you? Just checking up, have you started your hospital job yet?
Arisztel
5 Posts
I will not start until April 4. I actually could have started next week but I just accepted the position last Friday. My husband said it was too soon and no time to prepare. We just moved here in FL from NE also so everything is new for me. I plan to review and read my medsurg book and watch video till then so that I’m a little prepared. Im so excited for us and good luck on your 2nd week. Im sure we will both learn a lot.