JustWandering78

I am a Case Manager and considering taking a year off to complete my BSN. I have young children and am financially able to take the year off. My question and concern is that I will have a hard time getting back into the workforce if I have a gap in employment. I can afford to be off a year, but not permanently or very long term. I am looking for thoughts and advice, if you think it will be hard to gain employment if I am off a year? I have about 3 years CM experience and 14 years RN experience. Thanks

I have been a bedside nurse for 10 years. I recently moved into a case manager position. More like a discharge planner role. I like the position but I have been having a hard time with the change in hours from bedside. I only have a few months experience in my new role but I am thinking about trying to find a remote/telephonic case management position. Can anyone give me advice about the experience needed to work remotely? Should I get more experience in the field before looking for a remote position or will I get the training I need from once hired to be successful? Thanks!

@Jordynn akins I worked in Raleigh, 9 years NICU and I made $32/hr. However, I only have ADN so I think that is medium to low end of the range. Also, I know from hospital to hospital pay can range significantly. Some of the bigger hospitals don't necessarily pay the best. Or at least that used to be the case. It seems most places around here are willing to negotiate. They offer and are willing to hear a counter offer. So if they don't offer you $34 or the amount you are wanting then you can always counter. That said, NC cost of living is way less than Denver so even if you stay at $34, depending on area, you can still do OK. One last thing, hospitals here seem to have a big range in their shift differentials too so that is something to ask when you get an offer as well.

I am of the opinion that it would be OK to mention it in the right context. If asked where do you see yourself in 5-10 years. I think it is completely fine to say that you would like to pursue higher education. The NICU is a closed unit. Almost every Neonatal nurse practitioner was a nicu nurse. You will want to have at least several years of experience before pursuing NNP if you want to have the skills to be good at that position. Then you will be in school multiple years. So you could be in the unit as a staff nurse minimum 4/5 years before you would even become an NNP. Because you are a new grad, I would focus on the current position you want though and worry about NNP when you are comfortable with that roll.

Hey, I have looked at archives and not found what I am looking for. I am thinking about moving to San Diego area from North Carolina. To be honest it is just an idea for a life experience move so that is why I am gathering some information to make my decision. I am a single mom so cost of living vs pay is at the top of the list of deciding factors. My question is, I am seeing average pay in the area as $47/hr. Then I read in another article that shift differentials are between $0.50 - $2.50. Is this correct? I have 9 years experience in my specialty (Neonatal ICU). With the shift differential I get here in NC, the pay in San Diego is not more than my current pay. I always thought NC was one of the lowest paying states as well. So I am wondering if I am getting the wrong information.

Any updates OP? Did you get a nicu job?

Another option is to volunteer as a cuddle in the NICU you want to work in. Be very helpful and get to know the staff. Then let them know you want to work there. If the staff likes you they will be a good reference for you.

Do not give up on NICU. It is an amazing place to work. Have you tried either calling or personally going to the unit and talk to the manager? Tell him/her that you would like to work in NICU and see if they would schedule a time to have someone show you around the unit or shadow for a few hours. This way you can see how you like it and the manager can see you in person, not just a resume. That being said, and the following is just my opinion and might not be true, I think NICU likes to hire either people with NICU exerience or new grads. I think this is because it is specialized and different in may ways than other units.* When a nurse experienced in other areas comes in they tend to think or act like they know more and have a hard time asking for help. This makes their transition and ability to fit into the unit very hard. I have worked in several NICUs and have been told by the hiring manager that how they think a person will "fit" in among other nurses in the unit was a big factor in their decision to hire. I say this because I wonder if you listing all your ER experience might be hurting you rather than helping. I think you should list it but maybe in a different way. ER is very different than an ICU setting but you still have valuable experiences. Do you have experience with respiratory devices like vent, jet, oscillator, managing central lines, critical drips? Think of things you know would be similar in the NICU even if it is with adults.* Teamwork is big so highlighting that would help. What were your experiences with the babies or mothers who delivered in ER? Can you relate that to NICU? Were you involved in a case where mom delivered in ER and you were impressed by NICU team and you wanted to be a part of it? Peds patient who you were able to do teaching with patient's parents and you like that aspect of nursing? Just some thoughts. I think it will be helpful to come across as experienced but open to learning. I hope this helps.