Kitty_Forman

Well that's a lot of free CEUs! I know what you mean though. It's like torture for me to sit around all day lol. I don't know how I ever made it through school.

I got mine about 2 years ago. I also had been a nurse (all med surg) about 8 years. I took a 2 day review class (not sure if it's mandatory) and felt that it was really a good refresher on a lot of things I maybe don't do often having been out of school awhile. However I didn't feel the test had much to do with the class to be honest. They don't quiz you on anatomy or labs- it's all application and critical thinking. I don't mean to scare you but it reminded me of boards. í ½í¸¨ However there are now at 10 nurses I work with, with varying levels of experience, all of whom passed on the first try. With your on the job experience you likely will too. Because we had so many nurses interested my director was able to get us a grant to pay for the testing. I don't know the details but something to look into! Good luck!

Yep. We get what our Union is able to negotiate for us. In recent years this has been 2 or 3% yearly. With some small increases in shift differentials.

My response is usually "well I EARN it!" It's a hard job but I really do love it. More $$ would always be nice but I already do make more (hourly) than anyone I know my same age and level of education. I will never be wealthy but that's not the path I chose so I'm ok with that. My husband dose not have a high paying job but with what I earn we can afford for me to work part time to be home more with our kids. We dont have to worry about not being able to buy basic necessities or pay bills. And we even have a little extra for fun things. A lot of people could not say the same. So forgive me for being corny but most days I feel pretty rich.

Recently admitted a patient, in a lot of pain. She came up to the floor accompanied by her friend, who happened to be a highly respected senior nurse I know from another unit. After we got the patient settled and she was getting ready to leave she told me she had checked to see who was working that shift and had hoped that, out of eveyone, I would be her friends nurse. And that she could now go home and relax knowing she was in good hands.