Need advice!

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Hi there. I am an RN licensed in FL and PA, with a BSN and AACN certification in College Health. Graduated from nursing school (ASN) in 12/98 and passed my boards in 3/99. Earned my BSN in 5/02. I worked nights (7P-7A) on a med-surg/oncology unit in a hospital from 3/99 - 5/01. Found it very stressful, some nights had 13 patients, with multiple blood transfusions going on simultaneously! Was in tears lots of mornings when I left. Knew that wasn't the place for me. Did College Health Nursing for the next 3 years, then my husband retired and we became "snow birds". I am having trouble finding work currently while in South Florida for the winter. I did Medicare Case Review for a major insurance company last year while in PA for 25 weeks. Now I have an opportunity to take a job in a doctor's office...the only thing is they are looking to hire a part-time medical assistant, not an RN, and the pay reflects that (offering $15.00 an hour). I really need a job and have been looking, to no avail! My clinical skills are rusty and to go back to hospital work I need a refresher course, but the hospitals that offer them are requiring 2 year commitments, which I cannot grant in my current life situation. What should I do? I'd appreciate your thoughts - thanks!

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:welcome:

I hope you find some clarity in what to do for your situation!!! Good luck! :icon_hug:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Welcome...I am moving your post to the Florida Nursing forum so that way you can obtain better local feedback and support.

I wish you the best. Hang in there. Someone will provide you some direction.

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Thank you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

Hello, Im not sure exactly where you are located, but in central FL there are community colleges that offer a refresher course.

My other suggestion to you would be that u could always just do home health. Try Maxim, they are everywhere. You can do pediatric private duty home cases, its very easy, low stress, and doesnt require many clinical skills...sometimes u will feel more like a babysitter than a nurse. I did it as an LPN while I was in RN school and liked it bc I could still work full time, but had time to study and do homework at work. HTH!

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Hi there,

Thanks. I am located in South Florida. When I called the local community college, I was told "we are thinking of running that RN refresher course in the summer", which is no good since I go to PA each May and live there for 6 months!

I have decided to take the job in the doctor's office after negotiating a higher hourly rate, although it is still not on par with other RN's with a BSN here in South FL. Sometimes we have to trade off money for less stress, right? I am not even sure I ever want to return to the hospital - 3 years there on the night shift burned me out!

I have done home health in the past - but with the price of gas continually going up and my car getting older I don't think that would work either. I do appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
Hi there,

Thanks. I am located in South Florida. When I called the local community college, I was told "we are thinking of running that RN refresher course in the summer", which is no good since I go to PA each May and live there for 6 months!

I have decided to take the job in the doctor's office after negotiating a higher hourly rate, although it is still not on par with other RN's with a BSN here in South FL. Sometimes we have to trade off money for less stress, right? I am not even sure I ever want to return to the hospital - 3 years there on the night shift burned me out!

I have done home health in the past - but with the price of gas continually going up and my car getting older I don't think that would work either. I do appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

Thanks again.

youre welcome...when I refer to home health Im thinking more of private duty (u are there for 8 or 12 hrs) versus visits. Gas is way too expensive for that!

Congrats on your new job, u can always ask for another raise once u have proven yourself. Good luck! I know what u mean about trading off money for stress...I settled fot $16/hr in homecare as an LPN when I could have made $20/hr at a nursing home, but I would have earned every cent and more.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

With a BSN could you teach CNA courses in FL? That might fit your time schedule better? What about contacting the community colleges or whoever teaches the CNA courses - I would bet they might be looking for instructors. Good luck.

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Thanks. I hadn't considered teaching CNA courses, but did check into an instructor position for a school that offers a LPN program. The school was being looked at closely by an accreditation agency due to their students' low scores and low pass rates on boards. I was worried about potential problematic issues like pressure from Administration to pass students who had not earned passing grades. Although I was offered the position, I turned it down.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I do appreciate the help!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, neuro,research.

i have looked into that and as far as i can tell you need a masters to teach nursing, even to cnas or lpns and a masters in nursing to teach clinicals, even at miami-dade college. how about working for a private duty agency? there are quite a few in south florida. tell them your situation and they will work with you. or, temporary conntract work with a traveling nurse company( health care staffing). i know some people may grimace at that idea but we have to help this lady and, afterall, flexible was a plus for getting into this field, was it not?:heartbeat

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