Good_day

Practice makes perfect with all skills!!! Keep at it and your confidence will improve each time- I promise. (As a nurse I've learned not to promise much!) I used to practice "inserting" a Foley catheter in a huge stuffed bear at home over & over until I didn't feel like a nervous wreck. If anyone was peeking in the windows it must've been quite a sight. My first solo bath was a disaster (and that was without anyone there to make me nervous!) Spilled water, couldn't figure out the gown snaps, the sheet WOULD not fit the bed, a BM as I was drying him. Ugh, felt like a doooooofus. But here's the thing- we all feel that way. Your heart & good intentions are what will matter in the long run, after you've got those skills mastered that worry you now. YOU GOT THIS! Repeat that to yourself. Go get 'em (and breathe & smile)

I left for personal reasons, nothing fishy nursing wise. :) The only reason I'd be not eligible for rehire is that I left without notice.

I resigned from a med surg position with no notice. I did it for several reasons, none of which are really relevant now, I suppose. I know it was a not smart thing to do, I regret the way I left. (I truly understand if you must lecture me- I deserve it). I was considered a "great nurse" by several senior members of the staff who said they'd be happy to offer recommendations on my behalf when I contacted them after I left. I had worked there more than 5 years, it has been my only nursing position, and I had good relationships with colleagues. I'm interested in an agency posting. I've worked with contract nurses and have seen the difficulties that can be associated with these positions. I believe I have the confidence and skills to hit the ground running. Here's my question: Am I right in assuming I should be straight with a recruiter about how I left? I've been given conflicting opinions. My instinct is that- despite the number of good references I have (spanning back to positions prior to nursing)- when they contact my previous employer and are likely told I'm not eligible for rehire, red flags will fly. From what I have gathered, a level of trust is desired in the nurse- recruiter relationship. I really want this job. Thanks in advance for any advice!

After enough years in medsurg to call myself experienced, I resigned. Ongoing health problems that could eventually only be attributed to stress led me to do this. I thought it would be good to sit back & take a look at my path. I was good at my job, often receiving good feedback from patients/families and colleagues. I was often in charge, and believe that was my downfall. Keeping track of my own business was manageable, but assuming responsibility for the floor, core measures, HCAHPS became the death of me. Through some research & insight into what I did well & where I faltered- I realized that I am a perfectionist. When I was at work, it all had to be done, down to the smallest detail. On the scale of one person- that's stressful but manageable. Up that to an entire floor, it's near impossible without a melt-down. If recognizing the problem is the first step to recovery, then I'm recovering. But I know that going back into floor nursing would inevitably lead to some "learning opportunities" while fighting these perfectionist tendencies. So I'm at a bit of a loss as to what kind of nursing I should try. My instinct is some kind of QC or core measure position, but there aren't any of those available here, now. My options are back into floor nursing, nursing home, or home health. I would prefer to avoid the latter two, only due to past personal experience. I'm not the type to over look a sick pt in order to make sure the nurses station is clean, or one who feels compulsions. I would just feel disappointed in my self if EVERYTHING was not perfectly set up for the next shift. I would feel like I failed. i also struggled with the belief that everyone else expected perfection from me. That can wear you down quickly, mentally & physically. An old friend thinks she can land me an ICU position in a small hospital. Part of me thinks that the ability to care for a smaller group of patients & really dive into their care- would be good for me. The other part of me worries that the intense period of tackling the steep learning curve would have me in knots- the fear of being judged. I learn quick, but hate that period of "not having your feet under you" Hoping some seasoned ICU nurses might either relate to this themselves, or might have worked with enough "me's" to have some insight into my likely hood of success. Thanks ya'll for your time. For those interested, this article on perfectionism in nursing was very enlightening to me. It's a long read, but very informative. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/nrp/2011/858497/