CardiacRN#1

I have a good friend that chose ODU for the NP Program. From what I gather it was very intense and rigorous program. She ended up dropping from full time night shift position to a PRN position. Her husband stepped in and paid the bills until she finished. I remember her saying it was no way she could have gotten through the program if she had to work full time and do the NP Program full time. Are you able to drop down to part time or PRN while in school? Do you have a supportive husband or significant other that can take on financial responsibilities if you should find yourself overwhelmed? Any children in the home? All of these things must be considered. how is the market in your area for NP? Whatever you decide wishing you the best of luck!

Hi there, If you are referring to the VA hospital in my area typical turn around time is 3 to 4 months from start to finish. I was given a tentative offer end of May. Still do not have my final offer. Everything is done just waiting for final approval from the Director. Just continue working your job until you get the final offer. The VA will understand if it has to get pushed back to give proper notice. Congrats and good luck!

I say follow your heart. If you know your interest is in trauma, and you have the opportunity to get that experience then take the trauma job. It doesn’t seem like going to CVICU because of $2 or $3 différence will really make that much of a difference on your paycheck to warrant potentially regretting not taking the trauma job and not liking CVICU. Both our great opportunities and sought out areas of nursing good luck in whatever you decide!

Hello All, I recently interviewed for 2 units Interventional cardiac and CVICU. To my surprise I was offered both positions. I have previous experience in Cardiac Stepdown, interventional cardiac and Psych. My current job I am in psych. I really liked both units and managers. I went back and forth weighing pros and cons. I like interventional cardiac because for most part patients are usually stable, I have previous knowledge and experience working on this unit at another hospital. The CVICU scares me I have read about so many nurses not liking it, the steep learning curve, and even being sent to a medsurg ,stepdown, or terminated altogether if they did not appear to be catching on. I need advice is it crazy for me to even step foot on a CVICU unit knowing that I haven’t worked in a true medical floor in almost 2 years? Should I slow down and get back acclimated and take the interventional cardiac position. Does that matter if I get 12 weeks of precept if and classes?? I want to be successful in which ever path I choose. Sorry it’s a long read but looking for opinions, advice, feedback anything you can share would helpful CardiacRN

No union, but the hospital is tied to state so their benefits are much better than all the other are hospital. The more I re-read the advice it really is a no brainer! Thanks again

Thank you! I was at my public hospital job today thinking to myself how can I leave. I really do love the job, and my coworkers. They announced they would be giving an increase in pay to nurses as a result of current market and what other area hospitals are offering. until then I can work overtime if you needed. Time to decline my other offers ?

Hello All, I did accept the full time position at the Methadone clinic. I love this job!!! More patient interaction. I feel safe and I love coming to work. Some patients really want to stop using and some just come to not get sick but still not ready for all the resources the clinic offers. I still work at hospital PRN, would like to keep my foot in the door and keep my skills but working hospital full time was not for me. Cardiac RN

Yea it is. I am going to try it.

Hello, I am registered nurse for about 6 months. I work at a large hospital on night shift. I am really not adjusting well to night shift and I have children so needless to say night shift has been an exhausting struggle. recently I wanted to see what was out there since my unit has no openings on day shift and even if they did I would take a significant pay cut if I went to day shift unless I picked up additional shifts. I applied for a job that I heard about from my school. It was for a registered nurse at a methadone clinic. i was offered the job Monday- Friday off by 4pm, no holidays and no weekends. Matching my pay I currently make working nights. Only concern is am I shooting myself in the foot only lasting 6 months at the hospital? really trying hard to decide is it more important to be home with my kids and have a decent normal life and sleep. Or suffer no energy, no sleep, no time with my kids because I sleep all day on my days off. never worked in methadone clinic all I know is hospital nursing. We have phlebotomist draw labs at hospital. Concerned I am not prepared to work in methadone clinic if I did take the job. help please! Any feedback or advice very much appreciated I have to decide today I been putting this off too long. cardiacrn