My fall from CVICU

[lpn2crna1day]

Need straight and to the point advice from experienced CVICU nurses/managers. I am a fairly new RN, worked very hard to get into CV. Got the perfect job at an amazing hospital. Great team and resources were amazing, everything seemed like it was going my way. Along the way there was an unexpected bump in the road, a new addition to the family. During my orientation I had to take my maternity leave. Came back and could never quite get my momentum back. I hung in there as long as I could, was told by preceptors managers, and CNS that my performance on the floor was fine and speed was the only thing I needed to work on but I felt like I couldn't devote the amount of time needed outside of work to be truly successful on the floor. So I made the decision to resign. I hated doing it then and it is a choice that I regret often but I do feel it was the best decison for my family at the time. So my question now is, how much has this hurt my chances of ever returning to this specialty in nursing???

[aCRNAhopeful]

I don't think it will hurt you at all. Just come back when it's a good time and be ready to explain your decisions if necessary.

[RN1980]

it is all about the experience you take with you from your time in the unit, even though it was just orientation you should have learned valuable info from your time there. im gonna give you the advice one of my first preceptors gave me "dont sell yourself short and dont let anyone buy your skills and exp. cheap" if you wanna try to go at it again make the managers aware that you are already aware of what it takes to function in the unit as a nurse and you have something to prove to yourself and others. based on your post,i really dont see why the unit wouldnt take you back.

[Biffbradford]

I'm sure you would have done fine if there weren't other things going on in your life. Speed is just a matter of seeing and doing things over and over enough times until it's automatic and you're not thinking about it. The CVICU, in my opinion, is the toughest environment to work in. We've had experienced nurses go home crying from the stress, so don't knock yourself. You can always give it another go when you think you're ready!

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

I don't think it will hurt your attempts at returning. Life needs change our ability to devote ourselves to the job, any good manager will recognize that. Try to go back when you can devote the time off shift to make yourself the kind of nurse invaluable to your patients. Express that in the interview: your regret at having to leave before, your reasons you had to leave and how your place in life changed so that success is within your reach. A good manager will give you points for being honest to yourself and doing what was best for your patients

[dianearc, BSN, RN]

@lpn2crna1day I’m sure they would have taken you back. I know this is late but did you ever go back to CVICU, or get into CRNA school? I was following to see what advice you may have on the journey. I’m just prepping for an interview I have for CVICU...just interested in being a nurse there I have just about 3yrs of medsurg, surgical (post-op) & oncology experience but I’m ready to challenge myself in an ICU