New nurse, needs advice

[HollyUTM]

Hi all!

I have a decision to make and am slightly torn. I have been offered a job with St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. I can choose which floor I want to work on as they have opening on both. One is a general medicine floor and the other a renal/diabetic floor. I initially said that I wanted the renal/diabetic, but I think I may be changing my mind. The nurse manager of the renal diabetic floor said that they stayed a million times busier than the medical floor. I think I may be jumping in too deep, too fast. I think all new nurses ought to have some medical floor experience. Any ideas or suggestions on the position in which I can take. Thanks for all your input.

Holly

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Would it be possible to shadow a nurse on each unit on a typical day before you make up your mind? The operative work here is shadow, dressing in street clothes, just watching what and how a typical nurse does things on each of the units? It may give you a better idea of what you really want or need to do.

[Gail-Anne]

Just what I was going to suggest....see if you can shadow on each floor. It also shows that you are keen if you are willing to do this type of thing before they pay you! Different personalities on these floors too. Often long-term renal &/or diabetics can have their own way about things, doesn't suit every nurse. And who can blame them, when so much of your life is taken up with dialysis and hospital visits, you naturally want to maintain control where you can. On the plus side, often the staff really get to know those people and become like family. Just trying to give you ideas of what to look for over and above the workload. Good luck