NurseSA

Hello everyone! I am a RN currently working at an LTC. This is my first job out of nursing school. I started searching for acute care nursing opportunities as I want to develop my practice and be more competent. I landed an interview with AHS and they requested references. My references included two LPN's, and a supervisor (non nursing). They requested a current manager reference and said it was a AHS policy/guideline. My concern is that I cannot provide a current manager reference as I am worried how it will impact my relationship with said manager. Should I tell her? When would be the best time to tell her? I know in my facility because we are short staffed it is often frowned upon if you want to leave. I feel like she may give a not so stellar reference (or none at all) in order to retain staff. What should I do in this situation and what should I say to the potential employers? I really would love to start working towards my dreams of acute care but now I feel like I'm trapped and won't be able to move out of LTC. Thank you for your help!

Completely normal! Until this post, I too thought I was the only one who experienced such anxiety. I took a whole year off from nursing because I felt I wasn't ready. Then I started applying and still didn't feel ready. I got my first job at a LTC and that really helped build my confidence up. I have become more proactive, and I am currently seeking out opportunties to challenge myself further. Honestly just go for it! You won't be ready until you are actually there, and you won't know what to do, unless you actually work! Best of luck, you got this!!

I started out my nursing education with an eating disorder, and general anxiety. I actually didn't even realize I had anxiety until my 3rd year! My program pushed me out of my comfort zone and I learned how to deal and accept my challenges. Definitely not easy. I almost walked out on one of my clinical days because I was so overwhelmed, but I stuck through that day and decided I needed to find better help. Eventually I found this fabulous therapist and I learned how to get a handle on my anxiety (I use the acceptance and commitment therapy approach). Nursing gave me a reason, passion and purpose. My patients were my motivation to push through all the struggles and setbacks. I think that nursing could definitely be that reason for you as well. Caring for others and connecting and being there for people in their time of need is soo damn rewarding and worth it. In Canada we have LPN's as well, and they are able to administer medications, and do patient care. They have just as much responsibility, and similar patient loads on low risk units. However, they are not allowed to work in high risk speciality areas such as Labor and Delivery, NICU, Critical care, Emerg. I have heard the difference comes in the critical thinking aspect. They are also paid less. I feel that having the 2 years of extra learning is better because I feel more prepared in taking care of my patients, but everyone is different. Also nursing is so vast, there is definitely a place for all personality types. If you don't like the hospital setting you can always do community and work in clinics. Mental health nursing is becoming big as well. There are just so many options. I personally found my place in labor and delivery and travel nursing.