grnmtngirl

Thanks... I'm considering whether to uproot us to a completely different state. There are plenty of OR programs out there that could be great...but that's a whole different post

Considering an OR transfer after 1.5 years ICU. I'm trying to read all I can over the past few months but having difficulty finding warm contacts in person. Recent unit changes are making it hard to get hours and I may jump ship a bit sooner than originally planned (originally I hoped to wait until next spring and try to transfer when new grads come in to take advantage of the formal group education/training programs offered then). I requested the manager contact me directly to discuss the position and whether training would be available (the position does not list experience required or preferred but also does not list any training specifics). Clearly I would not want to try to step in without any sort of education/precepting experience. I think I would eventually like to travel. I really wanted to do OR in school but was told I'd lose all my skills and be blackballed in nursing forever and never get out again. Now I know that's not true, and that, to some extent, specific assessment/intervention skills are part of every unit including my current one! I'm not 100% sure the OR is right for me though despite many observations as a student (over a dozen) because then I was really focused on how cool the surgery was and not so much on what the nurses were doing. Any advice on getting clear that the OR is the right fit for me? Anything in particular about this OR I should ask the manager to determine if it's a good place to start/train/work? Any pc ways to feel out whether or not I'd be hired for the job over the phone (she'll already have my R.N. background/resume from HR when she calls me) before going in for a formal interview... which is when I have to tell my boss that I'm job seeking?? Thanks in advance...

Thanks everyone. I'd say based on these responses right now, we're not ready. I appreciate the honest feedback.

:heartbeatHey All, I'm considering becoming a navy nurse for a few reasons. DH and I have decided to be child-free and I am (and likely always will be) the breadwinner for our family of 2. We love to travel and visit new places. I've lived overseas for short periods and found it wonderful and enjoyable. I've always enjoyed the hospitality of foreign nations. He is younger and has only finished an associates degree but is working towards a BA. I have a lot of drive (and a nursing degree) and do the majority of our life/financial/long-range planning. These are the things I am looking forward to: -competitive pay with the private market -travel to work in overseas locations -regular relocation every 3 years or so on somebody else's dime -tax free cash But, honestly... can my husband come with me? How often will we have to be apart? Worst case scenario? I have no problem being stationed just about anywhere- so long as he is with me. If he were to enlist, he would be "enlisted" instead of an officer like me. I don't know if that would make it easier for us to do joint assignments but I'm thinking it wouldn't. The information online has been very limited. I've been hesitant to contact a recruiter because I've been trying to find unbias answers myself to make a decision. I know that deployment will be a fact of service-- just wondering if I can get around that for the most part (assuming a 20 year career- I'm under 30!) if willing to do a lot of overseas locations. I know my husband would have an extremely hard time coping without me. Not that anyone is overjoyed to see a loved one go... but, it's a huge factor. I make good enough, or better, money in the private sector now. I like the fringe benefits and travel opps to work in foreign countries with u.s. wages. That is something I don't see offered as much. Plus, as a relatively young nurse, I feel like the structure of the military could really enhance my career satisfaction. My parents were MPs and I find the lack of order and structure at work to be difficult. I like stringent penalties for late coworkers and equitable vacation times for all. These things are lacking in the civilian world. Any advice? Thank you to all of those who regularly contribute to these boards... I've been reading all night! GrnMtn Girl

Just a followup- I spoke with a great resource person last night who has offered to help me out with questions and has a great deal of knowledge regarding patho, technology, and developmental care. I think this person will be very helpful in my development as has offered to help as he can. Also, I spoke to the charge nurse and asked that I be given assignments for at least 2-3 nights/row at a time (at least for awhile- whenever possible) to help transition into taking care. I always found in school that no matter how bad day 1 was, day 2 was always easier because I knew the patient and had an idea of what worked and what didn't in my routine. Also, it helps me to come into work and see what happened with the patient's care so that I can start to look ahead to how patients progress through the unit and what sorts of proactive things I can be doing and suggesting to residents at night to make sure my patients are getting the best care possible overnight and not just waiting till morning for an attending to come and write the order for the more senior nurses. Thank you again for the posts. I had an awesome night at work last night, with yet again, a different assignment. Your posts reassured me that I would be ok and that my assignments weren't off the wall (though I assure you they felt that way!!!) Thanks again!

That's all I needed to hear. Thank you guys! I cried a lot this morning. I cried through my whole shower at home. My husband felt really bad for me and assumed one of my patients had died. My babies were relatively stable (barring the admit which turned into a nightmare that nobody saw coming which led to a lot of "excitement"). I still got all of my work done, meds given, things checked off. Babies on vents don't matter to me so much. 2 stable babies on vents, cpap, etc isn't a big deal. The "technology laden baby" was a very young unstable baby who has coded in the past week and just had a lot of tubes which as you know require a lot of "paperwork" and documentation and it's time consuming as a new person to do a thorough check. I still take approx 30 min to do a phy assessment and care on a baby while I find the seasoned nurses can start the baby up about 15 min before the baby is due to feed and still be done on time. I'm sure the eye of experience counts for something in knowing if something is wrong. I have to judge (especially if I've never had the baby before which is how it seems to be progressing every night) based on my vital signs and a thorough careful assessment to the best of my ability. I just don't want to make a critical error because they're in a critical state. I'm going to print off these posts and keep them because I think they address a lot of my problems and fears. I was somewhat challenged in school but never in a critical care environment. And I had a great orientation with very supportive preceptors. But I had very doable assignments and my preceptors jumped in to help and give me lunch/breaks. It's just different being on your own and knowing there's nobody there to check off all your work before the next shift comes in. It all falls on my shoulders. I appreciate the feedback. I'll dry my tears and go back to work tonight and will not complain about my assignments. I'll trust they're giving me safe, learning assignments and will provide support if i I get into trouble. Thanks for taking time out of your weekend to respond!

yes, visitors (including parents) who smoke must wear gowns when handling babies.

i'm particularly interested in opinions of those with experience as charge nurse, preceptors or those with several years experience to judge whether or not these are safe assignments for me to be taking. *****my question was answered. thanks to those who took the time to respond!***********

Do NOT STRESS! You and I, we had a similar format test and I expected it to shut off at 75 and IT DID! The waiting is definitely the hardest part but nothing to fret over. It's done for now. You've done your part. Way to go!

congratulations pirituba! That's EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes, that's the book. IT was great. Helped me soooooooooooooo much!

Exactly 48 hours later and Pearson Vue reports me as PASS!!!!! Thanks for the support here everyone!

WAY TO GO!!! Have fun celebrating!!!!!

I'm sorry to hear that you have to retake the test. When it shut off at 75 I felt so encouraged by the low number. It's like, people are more prepared to fail if they went through 200+ questions... maybe not. I walked out figuring I must have passed since it shut off at 75 but I have not heard yet. It's so difficult to think about preparing for it again when we felt like we just finished all those questions and all that review. In getting the energy to do it again I would ask myself a few questions-- Did you review content or practice mostly questions in preparation for your last test? Did you review all of the areas equally or did you skip over a particular unit like oncology, pedi, maternity?? Did you take a review course or practice on your own? Maybe you just need a new plan of study. If I have to retake it I will definitely do the Kaplan q trainers that people seemed to find esp helpful. Best wishes as you prepare to take it again... keep your chin up and do something nice for yourself today!

no answers yet, still waiting to hear... the secret is probably to keep studying. i did review pharm very intensely for about 5-6 hours a week before the test. i felt like i got it that night. had never done that before (we didnt have a dedicated pharm class in school) and it seemed to come together. good luck!