Need Advice from Experienced RNs!!

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I graduated in 5/97 but never worked as an RN. After school I adopted my daughter and chose to stay home with her and do transcription work for a couple years. While I don't regret it, it really has put me in a bind.

I worked hard to pass the boards again and did so with just 75 questions in 11/04. Although our State only requires this in order to work, I didn't feel qualified. I knew I needed a refresher course and am now taking an RN re-entry program which started in March. I can't wait for it to finish, so I can finally get a job, but that's my question. I feel so lost. I thought I wanted to work in a hospital, but many of these nurses don't impress me. Many seem unkind and egotistical, certainly not wanting to help anyone, let alone someone in my situation.

I thought of working in a nursing home, but what is that like? Do you get paid a lot less? Is there much support or are you the only RN on a floor? I'm not a dumb person, but I need to know I have someone there if I had a question. Are there any other settings that would work for someone like me? I don't want doctors offices as that is just too boring!! I want a challenge, but nothing too challenging. I have three kids and have to keep that in mind. I realize I have to work my way up to get where I want to be, but need some great people who can understand this.

Also how much do RNs make in the Northeast in the different setting? Any advice would be appreciated!

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Is your refresher course at a hospital? If so, are you committed to that hospital for a certain amount of time?

I ask b/c if it's independent, you can go somewhere else. It's not like that everywhere.

Are you just in a classroom/lab setting, or have you been on just one floor, or multiple floors?

Was there anywhere you particularly liked when you were doing clinicals in school?

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The re-entry course is at a large hospital which has the sickest patients in the state. I can go elsewhere for a job if I want, but if you stay for six months in that hospital you're paid the class fee back ($2000.00). This would be great to get the money back, but being happier means more to me. It's an intense course which lasts three months including both classroom and clinical, but you only end up on one floor.

I actually liked working with the elderly and nursing homes would work in that respect, but I want some support being new. I had a friend who took a job in a nursing home, was in charge of the floor and had no training to work there. She was just thrown on the floor. I couldn't believe it. Some patients had IVs and she didn't even know how to restart the IV if she needed to. That really concerns me.

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With most LTCs, you will be the only RN on the floor. Not saying all, but most.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

What about a physician's office that specializes in geriatrics?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Some things to ponder. Apparently that must be the sterotypical hospital that gets mentioned when the nursing shortage is discussed. Lots of nurses who are older, burning out and no one to replace them. Believe me when I say not all places are that way.

I am working as an ER travel nurse, now I have only had two assignments but at both places the staff were more than glad to see another qualified, skilled smiling face.

Keep looking at different hospitals, ask to talk with actually floor staff nurses. Even better see if you can shadow one for a day. The better places to work wont have a problem with either, question the ones that dont.

I know you paid $2000 to take a refresher, and one can stomach about anythign for six months and then there are hospitals out there that are paying well north of $10,000 in sign on bonuses to find staff.

Now I dont know much about LTC other than my experence as a Paramedic going in/out getting pts. Most the time the RN seemed overworked, with barely enough time to give/take report on the patient and it was off to put out another fire. That was day shift with maybe 2 RN's on duty, cant imagine night shift.

rj:rolleyes:

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