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Thank you both for responding! PrincessBride I can't figure out how to respond to your comment so I'll do it here. I am currently at an outpatient clinic doing cardiac testing. It kind of is mundane and there's no opportunity for advancement or further learning. So I feel stuck and plateaued. CommunityBSN-I really don't think I've done anything impressive. I have only been a nurse for about 4 years now. I really am not interested in med surg but it seems to be the stepping stone to other bedside jobs. I really don't know what to do and feel pretty low about myself/nursing. I feel like if I looked back on what I've done when I'm older then I'd be pretty disappointed. Again, not dogging on anyone at all so please I hope no one takes offense to this. thank you for all of the responses!

Hello! I’ll try to make this straight to the point. After graduation, I didn’t go the typical med surg/PCU route. I did a few things (ER, behavioral health, post Surg) and am now at a specialty clinic. I hate my current job but feel as though if I went to bedside I’d need lots of training/retraining. I live in a place with very few opportunities so going from place to place isn’t easy and your reputation (if you have one) follows you. I don’t mean to offend anyone but did I fail early on in my decisions? I’d be a horrible med surg nurse and I know it so I avoided that. Was I wrong? Am I not marketable? Am I limited now? Thanks!

Hello! I am trying to get as many certifications as I can to make myself competitive for a job at our new home when we move (can't move from where we are in the Winter). I have a few different places I've worked and am working on getting my hours to do those certs but what about other certifications that are just general? Here's a little more info to help: I want to work in ER or a CCU. I have 5 months of previous ER experience, about a year in perioperative and same for behavioral health. I currently work in a cardiac clinic doing the nuclear testing. I love to learn but hate actual school so I am hoping certs are a good way to go. I am not interested in NP right now as I want more floor experience and actually do enjoy bedside nursing. I've looked into the BCEN website and have found some I can get from there but are there any others or any advice that may be a better fit for me? Thank you!

dianah, Thank you so much for all of the great information a while back! You asked that I share the learning curve after a while and here I am to respond! So, really, it wasn't much at all. Everything is pretty simple and straight forward. Protocols are definitely your best friend in this area. My 3rd day on the job and someone had a stroke (thank goodness I had years of EMT experience and was able to treat accordingly!). The biggest issues I have seen so far are the very old who take a longer time to recover and usually need the aminophylline or those having adverse reactions to the medications we use (lexiscan, adenosine, MRI/CT contrasts, etc). I love cardiac involved nursing so I am learning a lot about cardiac disease and treatment options since our testing is usually for pre op or disease progression determination. Thank you so much for your response a while ago and I hope you are well!

Dianah, you hit the nail on the head! I talked to them today and everything you said is exactly what she told me to expect. I won’t be the only ACLS person as there will always be an MD on site and 3 others (2 RN’s, CMA, and exercise physiologist) . It sounds like you have a ton of experience in this field! Thank you for your great response!

Hi All! Im considering taking a job at a cardiology clinic and the position is in imaging. So it’s nuclear stress tests, Echos, stress echos, MRI/CT’s. Does anyone do this and if so, what’s it like for you? I have a great job currently in a surgery center but I’m looking at getting closer to home and I love cardiology. Also, I’d be leaving a hospital setting for a clinical setting which makes me super nervous. Thanks for any advice or personal stories!!

Hello! I’m moving from Alaska to Oregon and wondering about keeping my Alaska license while getting my Oregon license. We may at some point return to Alaska but are unsure as of now. Neither are compact states. How easy (if even possible) is it to be licensed in both states? Do I have to be actually living in Oregon before I apply? I plan on working in Alaska up until we leave. I’ve called the BON in both states but neither are taking calls at this time. Thanks everyone!

Hello! I'm hoping someone can help! What schools out there accept nationally accredited nursing school credits? I may leave my program (more than half way through) and my options are looking very slim. My program requires passing ATI's after each term and even if you pass the class but fail the ATI you are withdrawn from the program. IF you are accepted for re entry, you are placed into the next class that could be up to 40 weeks behind! Are all schools like this? Thanks!