CriticalJ

Much less than like Detroit or Baltimore. You know, I live in San Antonio currently, which is supposed to be a violent city, and I've never once felt unsafe. I'm sure it's fine.

Anyone?

Hi all! I'm a new grad as of December, and I did an externship in the ICU where I'm currently employed. I love it and want to stay in critical care but... my wife got into grad school in Pittsburgh and we're moving this summer. So I got some questions for any of y'all who work there, have been there, or maybe know what it's like! 1) Good hospitals to work at? A quick google tells me UPMC and Allegheny Health Network are the big ones in town. What's it like to get hired there? What sort of experience do they require? I have looked at job listings but we all know that those don't necessarily actually reflect reality. 2) What sort of credentials or experience might I need? I have my ACLS and five years' experience as a paramedic before becoming a nurse. b) I did a paid externship with this unit during my final semester of nursing school - that means that in addition to my clinicals on the unit, I did an additional 168 paid hours there, plus many hours of class time from the hospital. This was in place of a conventional residency. Do you think I can put this as job experience on my resume? It might make the difference between having more than 6 months' experience or not. 3) Would being a member of ANA or AACN help me get a job? 4) What are the odds of getting to stay in critical care? I'm aware that I'm really lucky to be in the ICU as a new nurse, and it's mostly because of that externship. It's really important to me to continue on in critical care. If that doesn't look likely, what are some other fields/specialties that would help me acquire complementary skills and experience, or lead back to the ICU? Thank you all :)

I'm a new nurse deep in the heart of Texas, and pretty much everyone (patients, coworkers, chaplains) assumes that you're a Christian. But I'm not, I'm an atheist and a Buddhist, I don't believe in a soul or afterlife, but I do believe that the Buddhist understanding of reality has much to offer for dealing with death, suffering, and loss. I just read Thich Nhat Hanh's No Death, No Fear, and found it very beautiful and empowering: there is no death because there is no life, because we are all connected to and part of all life. I've also found meditation to be invaluable for stress and emotional management. (I should mention that I'm in the ICU and people die every day on my unit.) Anyway Do any of you incorporate similar beliefs or practices in your nursing practice? Any techniques or books or practices you have to share? Thank you :)

This sounds like a personal issue

I agree, I got Dickies and they fit well and have 17 pockets!