Len

Hi guys, so I’m almost at a year as working as an RN in the NICU and was interested in case management. I was told by different people what the criteria was to become one so I just want a more solid perspective from others that went through a similar journey. I was told 2 years of critical care, 5 years of critical care, I was told I need to be licensed first, and I was told I could just network? someone even told me that I could count clinical experience as being a CNA since I worked with patients in the hospital prior as a CNA for 4 years towards my “experience”. Please let me know your thoughts, thank you!

Hello everyone, so I have decided to become certified in coding for now, and maybe get my master's in Health Information Management. Does that sound practical? I need some advice from other nurses that have made these steps already and if they work together. I know some coders can actually work with EHR or even informatics. Thank you so much in advance!

Thank you for the advice! It's been really difficult to find connections and figure out what I truly want to do. I have been trying to do my research... as well, do you know if I have to get my masters for either? I tried looking up entry-level jobs and even certifications but nothing seems clear. Thank you!

Hello everyone! I really need some guidance before I decide my next steps on furthering my education. Currently, I am working as an RN in the NICU. I love the NICU because I am always learning from each aspect; whether is be from a nurses point of view or from the patient's. I find it very rewarding but as well I believe that I can make even more of a difference outside of bedside nursing. Patient quality care and also overall improvement of quality measures is an important goal of every hospital but likewise there should be some realistic measures as well. I do have background in coding and informatics but not in the healthcare field. I was looking into quality improvement and found Nurse Coder and as well as Nursing informatics. My question is: Which is more beneficial for the patient? Which is more practical and obtainable-- since I have only bedside nursing? Do I achieve my masters or just a bunch of certifications (CDI, CPT, CDIP, ICD9, ICD10, ect)? If it is recommended to get my masters, should I got for nursing informatics or Health information management? As well, anything else I need to know or if you need to correct me please do. I want to work in one of these specialties but also stay apart of the NICU team/children hospital I work at because I still love the specialty. Thank you!

Hello, I wanted to reach out to the RNs that are currently coding or working in analytics or informatics. I’ve become interested in this type of field related to nursing, but I don’t know where to start to seem more desirable since I need experience. Where did you start? Thank you!

Thank you for the reply. I do like the idea of routine because of my GAD, however, I just don’t know where to start... I heard it’s very competitive and sometimes unrealistic. Did you get your masters or did you transfer to be in informatics? Thank you

Hi everyone, so I recently got sick snd have been sick for almost a week! I got tested for Covid and was negative by my symptoms just seem to get worse. I have everything except for the change in taste so I’m worried... I had called out for 2 days already because it’s been so bad and I’ve had a fever. I finally got antibiotics for myself but I still have a low-grade fever without my medications. My work’s policy is 24 hours afebrile without medication. I just need some reassurance that I’ll be okay because I’m worried it’ll affect my job and affect managements perspective on me as an employee... thank you.

Hello, I have GAD and depression but I’m afraid it affects my work and how I feel about it too. Nothing seems to be helping either. I haven’t tried CBD yet though.

Hello everyone! So I’m currently a fresh NICU nurse and I was wondering if I could get some insight on nursing informatics? I’m stuck between staying bedside in the NICU, advancing my education within NICU, or taking a completely different turn and getting my masters in informatics? What I really want to know is how practical it is, how competitive it is, and is it worth it? I know it’s not common so that’s why I’m afraid to get my masters in a speciality that won’t succeed. my other question is what are my options in advancing in neonate care besides NP? Are there non-bedside options as well? thank you for helping me ?

We don’t even have a policy that blankets other illness! It’s ridiculous and nurses are forcing themselves to come to work ill because fear of being reprimanded ??‍♀️

Hello everyone, so I recently just graduated in May and I currently am a NICU nurse in a children’s hospital. I love the NICU but I’m constantly anxious and it’s been very hard especially with COVID. I always believed that I would somehow advance my career but I never knew how. I recently just found out about nursing informatics and I was very intrigued because before I got my RN I was thinking of studying in computer science ironically. My question basically is how do I get started because I know it’s competitive, is it worth it, or should I forget about it and try to stay working in the NICU and advance myself specializing in neonate care?

Hello everyone, so I’m fairly new to posting but I just wanted some opinions. So, I live in the current #1 city for COVID spike. There has been more positive cases in staff, but also in general everyone is getting sick. However, the nurses that are getting sick but are COVID negative are obligated to come in regardless. I just wanted an opinion: if a nurse is sick or not feeling well, but is COVID negative, Should they be obligated to come in?

Hello, I recently just graduated in May as well and I moved across the country to start a new job in which I thought was my dream unit. I started working in the NICU as a new grad and let me tell you, I still have anxiety before my shift. I sometimes cry before my shift because I’m so anxious and believe me I had bad experiences beforehand that affect my confidence. It’s not easy and I highly doubt it’ll be any easier especially with the continuous changes in nursing, constant politics, and of course the pandemic. I wanted to let you know that you’re not alone and I feel like sometimes I chose the wrong profession too, but I wanted to normalize pre-shift anxiety because I think it’s actually common especially with such a high stress field.