Nervous about telling co-workers

gutz · Jan 12, 2008

I have a different perspective on all this but it may be situational. I work in a med/surg ICU with a core group of nurses that are just an ocean of knowledge. Since my first day I have let be known that my goal was to advance on and enter anesthesia. These people have taken me under their wing and supported me in my search for ICU knowledge. Throughout my year in the ICU they have provided me opprotunity to learn as much as possible. The occasional ETOH OD ? Sure, but they had those hellish shifts too. My acceptance will not only be a tribute to my hard work and dedication but to all those who have supported me during my quest. I would have no problems sharing the good news with my co-workers. Again, this is situational though. Good luck to all.

gasmaster · Jan 13, 2008

I have a different perspective on all this but it may be situational. I work in a med/surg ICU with a core group of nurses that are just an ocean of knowledge. Since my first day I have let be known that my goal was to advance on and enter anesthesia. These people have taken me under their wing and supported me in my search for ICU knowledge. Throughout my year in the ICU they have provided me opprotunity to learn as much as possible. The occasional ETOH OD ? Sure, but they had those hellish shifts too. My acceptance will not only be a tribute to my hard work and dedication but to all those who have supported me during my quest. I would have no problems sharing the good news with my co-workers. Again, this is situational though. Good luck to all.

I think it's wonderful that u have been part of such a supportive group. The unit I work in is highly competitive and unfortunately not like that. If I worked in your setting I'd probably tell too (if I get accepted somewhere!!!). Good luck to u!

MB37 · Jan 13, 2008

Questions for all of you who are in ICU and either accepted or waiting to be: when you first applied for your ICU jobs, were you asked in the interview anything about CRNA specifically? Or were the questions more like "what are your future goals...?" I assume you don't tell your interviewer that you only plan to be there for one year, but if they ask directly, do you lie? Same thing with coworkers before you apply - if a large % of ICU nurses are hoping for CRNA someday, is it a common topic of conversation on the unit? Should I really keep my mouth shut regarding my plans until it's all over and done with? I don't graduate NS (BSN) until August, but there are several hospitals in mt area that advertise new grad ICU orientation programs, so I'm hoping to go straight in after school. Plus, several of my classmates have the same goal, and we talk about it in school a lot - we might be working at the same place after grad, so I'm not sure how easy of a secret it will be to keep...Thanks so much guys!

shandsburnRN-CRNA · Jan 13, 2008

Questions for all of you who are in ICU and either accepted or waiting to be: when you first applied for your ICU jobs, were you asked in the interview anything about CRNA specifically? Or were the questions more like "what are your future goals...?" I assume you don't tell your interviewer that you only plan to be there for one year, but if they ask directly, do you lie? Same thing with coworkers before you apply - if a large % of ICU nurses are hoping for CRNA someday, is it a common topic of conversation on the unit? Should I really keep my mouth shut regarding my plans until it's all over and done with? I don't graduate NS (BSN) until August, but there are several hospitals in mt area that advertise new grad ICU orientation programs, so I'm hoping to go straight in after school. Plus, several of my classmates have the same goal, and we talk about it in school a lot - we might be working at the same place after grad, so I'm not sure how easy of a secret it will be to keep...Thanks so much guys!

I think you'll find quite a diverse group and answers to this question also. It has been asked in the past, some said they dare not say a word and others expressed in their interview of their CRNA goal.

During my interview into the ICU (straight from ADN school) I was asked what my future goals were. I proudly explained of my CRNA ambitions. But also the unit I interviewed at and ultimately worked in for 2.5 years had produced 3 or 4 CRNA's in the past 5 years and the unit manager was kinda proud of that. So, you might have to kinda feel your interviewer out and see how they respond when you say you plan on expanding your education. You might just have to leave it at that, if they specifically ask if you are planning for CRNA school, I would tell them NO and keep it to yourself.

pew19 · Jan 13, 2008

Is anyone else nervous about telling co-workers they got into school? I am already getting all sorts of flak about leaving. All I hear is "You're not going to be here long anyway so what does it matter to you?" This also means that from now until July or August I will get a crappy schedule and probably have to work all the holidays . Oh well.....on the upside...I'm going to anesthesia school!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to tell everyone I know, but see I just got a new job 2 weeks before my interview. I was not sure I would get in, since it was my 1st time applying. well I got in and now I don't know how to tell them I applied for a job while waiting to interview. I told everyone from my old job coz they had been very supportive.

armynse · Jan 14, 2008

Should I really keep my mouth shut regarding my plans until it's all over and done with? I don't graduate NS (BSN) until August, but there are several hospitals in mt area that advertise new grad ICU orientation programs, so I'm hoping to go straight in after school. Plus, several of my classmates have the same goal, and we talk about it in school a lot - we might be working at the same place after grad, so I'm not sure how easy of a secret it will be to keep...Thanks so much guys!

I probably wouldn't reveal my desire to attend CRNA school to potential employers. You mentioned that several of your classmates share the same goal and that all of you might end up working at the same hospital. Given the fact that many managers limit the number of new grads that they hire at one time, it will likely be to your advantage to stay mum. It costs a lot of money to train new grads...quite frankly, I might not hire you if you told me that you were planning to go to CRNA school especially since you are graduating with a BSN. If you only had an ADN I would know, in the back of my mind, that you have a longer road to travel prior to school therefore I would have a greater chance of getting a return on my investment(new grad). Good luck in your endeavor...

putmetosleep · Jan 15, 2008

Agree with the other posters--keep it to yourself as long as you can. When I finally get accepted, I'm going to try to keep it to myself for awhile. Must be hard to do, though!! But I've seen several of my co-workers who've been accepted to CRNA programs get treated poorly on the unit after word gets out--they're held to a different standard, and also I think resentment plays a role in it. Unfortunate, but true.

Irish 007 · Jan 15, 2008

First, Congratulations! It takes alot of hard work to get accepted into school.

Second, SHHHH..... It has never failed to amaze me how others become so envious of something they either did not want or never worked for.

Just take it in stride, it will all be part of the past soon.

Best Wishes!!!

MB37 · Jan 18, 2008

Thanks! I figured that even if asked directly in an interview, I would actually be honest, and say something like, "While I believe I will return to school at some point, my current goal is only to gain some experience in the ICU. I would rather not rule anything out as far as what direction my education will take me, but I can't make any decisions until I have spent a significant amount of time here." I don't want to lie and say absolutely not, but it's true that I could change my mind, or life could change it for me. Even though right now, halfway through NS, I think I definitely want to be a CRNA, 5 years ago I was fully planning on going to law school - took the LSAT and everything, just kept putting off applying. After spending a year in the ICU, maybe I'll want to stay, or become a ACNP. Or maybe I'll hate everything about it, and I'll shadow a few CRNAs and realize it's not really a job I want. Or maybe I'll love my L&D rotation next semester and completely switch gears (highly doubtful, but I do always try to keep an open mind).

sirJazz · Jan 18, 2008

not im my case guys... all my co-nurses were so happy for me... they cheered and wished me well. i didn't get any ill feelings.. it was cool. maybe really depends where and who you work with... VCU fall 08 here i come!!!

ECMOismygame · Jan 18, 2008

Is anyone else nervous about telling co-workers they got into school? I am already getting all sorts of flak about leaving. All I hear is "You're not going to be here long anyway so what does it matter to you?" This also means that from now until July or August I will get a crappy schedule and probably have to work all the holidays . Oh well.....on the upside...I'm going to anesthesia school!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm assuming the RRT in your title stands for Reg Resp Therapist... if so, what made you make the switch to nursing? Was it only to pursue CRNA school?

RRT2RN2CRNA · Jan 19, 2008

Honestly- I hate to say it, and I'm not normally a cynical or pessimistic person... but overall, people are ... jerks. (tame verbiage chosen so as to not get my reply booted lol)

Sure, there are some some genuinely nice people who can put their own egos and jealousy aside to be happy for you. But it's probably the minority. And you'll only be disappointed when people don't react they way you anticipate they will. Afterall, they can never be as happy for you as you are! And even if they're happy for you to your face... you know the kind of gossip that goes on behind peoples' backs... I wouldn't want to give anyone fodder for that kind of crap.

There's nothing that crushes me more than when people knock something I've worked really hard to accomplish. Even if I know it's just petty jealousy that I shouldn't take personally... it still stings.

I have learned to guard my personal life to a fair degree, and I don't see anything wrong with that. I would enjoy your "Cloud 9" happiness privately for a few weeks, and then tell maybe a few trusted friends.... it will get out regardless after that. Nobody can keep their mouth shut about anything in the unit.

Or on the other hand, you could always tell *everyone*, and do a ******* dance on the unit clerk's desk.

And if they give you crap--- ever so nicely tell them you've decided to take a little time off before school, give 'em two weeks notice and go agency while you wind down.

(Take that, suckers!)

Regardless- CONGRATS and LIVE IT UP:w00t:....

you honestly deserve every second of it.

Cheers!

-A