ICUSkeenRN

I have no idea what kind of house you could get here for 450k! Maybe a cardboard box! Lol

It's not BS. I have one part time job (24 hours a week) and 3 Per diem jobs. I work an average of 60 hour weeks. Hourly rates for HS in this area are 55-80/hour

It's not BS. I have one part time job (24 hours a week) and 3 Per diem jobs. I work an average of 60 hour weeks. Hourly rates for HS in this area are 55-80/hour

I've been a house sup since 2012. I've also been a charge RN as well as a unit director. I have an MSN as well as CCRN. I make close to $175k and I live in SoCal. Hope this helps.

I passed the CCRN on the first try. I used Barron's CCRN Review book as well as Kaplan CCRN. I read the overviews and took a bunch of practice questions. I found the best predictor of success was the CCRN practice exam supplied by AACN. You can purchase it for $50. I have taken both PCCN and CCRN and the practice tests from AACN for both of these tests were extremely similar to the real thing. Hope this helps.

Just curious if you all started out wanting to go into management, or if you wound up there. When did you realize you wanted to go into management? I have a background in ICU/CCU, Psych, ER, and Tele. Primarily my background was ICU. I did relief charge night shift in ICU and then was promoted to FT Day shift Charge RN in ICU. Loved being charge. Then an opening for M/S Tele Director came about in my hospital and the ICU director recommended me. 6 months later, here I am.... Director of a 35 bed M/S and 28 bed Tele unit.... Was sad to leave ICU, but knew opportunities like this were rare, so I took it. I've been working on my MSN and will graduate next summer. Planning on doing MBA after the MSN. Although I find myself missing the 3 12 hour work week, I feel I've really found my niche in management. Love my staff, love what I do. Some days I feel like I have no clue what's going on, and other days I feel on top of the world. I've made my share of mistakes and my motto is to try not to make the same mistake twice. I learn from them. I've seen some small improvements (baby steps) since I've taken over. Most of all, other employees say they see a huge difference in the staff morale. I am fair but I treat them as family. I'm firm but supportive. Just wondering how everyone else feels. I truly love my role. My ultimate goal is CNO. One step at a time....

What do you mean by clinical ladder?

TELE for sure!!!!!! No weekends!! Hello! But seriously, it all depends on the ultimate goal you have for your NP. IMO, hospital work will give your better opportunities in the long run! And congrats on navigating this scary new grad market and coming out with not one, but TWO job offers!

I was a new grad in the ICU. Our unit hired many. And some sank, others swam. I swam.

How long is your orientation? How long have you been on orientation?

Did you want to work in ICU? ICU is not for everyone. Which particular areas do you find you're struggling with?

Usually you can go ASN-MSN in about the same amount of time you could go ASN-BSN. MSN will pay off way more in the long run and set you apart from others.

I'd go with the 300 bed M/S. You can network with their ICU and possibly transfer after you've been there a while

I took wound care through a nursing education company in OC called AANE consultants. The EKG class I took through California School of Health Sciences. It was $150 for a very intense 3 day class. Well worth it. You can always google "wound care class" or "12 lead EKG class" and see what you come up with. Good luck to you! Skeen

Please keep us updated! We care!