csiln

I have not worked as an RN for 10 years but would like to return as an hospice nurse. Any thoughts?

Another example of a nurse who can lording it over a nurse who can't. There are some hungry nurses out there just waiting to "eat".

I was taught how to start an IV - in school, on jobs, etc. BUT I have a 2 out of 21 failure record. I keep trying, but it just seems like a skill I can't master. If there's someone that can start an IV, why in the world would I stick a patient twice and then get someone else who could do it the first time? I don't get the hangup about everybody being able to do everything. Its about patient care and putting an already traumatized person through more pain when its so unnecessary.

PLEASE RESPOND SOMEONE!! Is it possible to do a good job in HH with very little nursing experience. My greatest fear is not knowing how to handle a situation and being by myself. Post note: I graduated in Dec, 2005 work two jobs for 6 weeks each (VA & local hospital - horrid experiences - four-day orientations, hateful nurses, etc. it was awful) and quit nursing. I just started in Jan, 2007 at a rehab hosp in SCI and though the orientation was great and the nurses wonderful - I just don't like hospital nursing - staffing, scheduling, you know. BUT I'm tired of searching for my "niche" and many people (most of them nurses) have told me I would be good at HH. I don't want to change jobs again and then find I'm frustrated (and fearful) b/c of lack of experience. Thanks to anyone who'll give advice.

Being generous I would have to say a 5. (I graduated Dec, 2005, worked 3 months, hated it, quit and started a new job in Jan, 2007 -- although a much nicer environment, I still regret ever going into nursing and will probably quit after school loans are paid off.)

I just started on a SCI unit and was given this website for info. spinalcord.uab.edu.

Only you can make the final decision, but I'm a recent RN graduate and am sooo sorry I didn't get my LPN and stop at that. As an LPN you can practice much of the same patient care without all the paperwork (at least this was true at the local hospital I worked at). I met another RN at the hospital who had been an LPN for years (how many I can't remember) and she regretted getting her RN (it was some program offered for rural nurses or something --like me, she wished she had thought more about it). I quit hospital nursing and have been looking for an office job, but they hire LPNs or MAs. Personally, I would take some time off and work awhile. You can always go back to school -- I was 51 when I started! Good luck with your decision!

I tried to get responses within another thread to no avail. Hope someone will be able to give me some advice. I am 55 and graduated last Dec. Hospital nursing was very frustrating -- either too many patients (18) or, in another hospital, too little orientation (5 days with a preceptor). I haven't worked in 3 months now because I'm wondering what went wrong and should I just give it up. However, several friends and past fellow students have encouraged me to get into home health because I have very good client relationship skills and just need the opportunity to learn the ropes (especially paperwork). The Dept. of Health is hiring home health nurses right now and, if I'm reading the requirements correctly, does not list experience as necessary. However, (sorry this is so long) what do you that are in home health think about someone with no experience getting into it. Will it be another frustrating experience? Will I get an orientation? Thanking all of you who take the time to answer.

I graduated Dec. 2006 and worked 6 wks in two different hospitals. The first I had 9 pt. working up to 18 - there was just so little patient care time. The second the nurses were definitely "young eaters" and the bickering amongst themselves and back biting about me (I overheard a conversation that still makes me feel bad) and only 5 days with a preceptor made me hate myself for spending the money, time, and effort it took to become an RN. Anyway, I've been reading the posts on allnurses for three months and would really like to go into home health, but is that a good idea for a new nurse? Our state health department is hiring Home Health Nurse I now. My strongest asset when I worked was my patient relationships - even as a student the patients would say I was going to be a great nurse, many said I was compassionate and they were so glad I was there nurse. BUT, I know experience makes a really great nurse and that's what I want to be.

Wow, thanks!! Family situations right now are keeping me from looking, but after next week I am going to at least get a CV written up. Again, thanks all of you for taking the time to post!

Thanks for the replies. I have thought about doing just what you suggested dacry... I do have one question, what are you referring to when you say you used a CV?

Graduated in Dec 2005 and the VA was my first job. Orientation was awesome, but patient ratio (nights) was awful!! 18 patients and my first night with my preceptor she told me the first half of the floor the patients were mine (9!). The night I was on the med cart, I had all 36 patients. Emphasis was on electronic charting and not patient care. Also med cart and admits were done a lap top and I was soooo slow. Quit. Great bunch of people to work for, but most were waiting for retirement. Good luck!!

I graduated Dec, 2005. I passed boards in March and immediately went into Med/Surg -- lasted 3 months and hated it. I've since quit nursing and its taken 2 month to start feeling like a normal human being. The thought of going back to hospital is very depressing. My question to all of you is, how did you find your office position? I'm working on a resume that will accentuate my attributes (100% attendance in school, willingness to learn, excellent patient relations, etc.) that will reflect the possibilities if I am given a chance even though I do not have the med/surg one-year experience. Then I thought I would take it to the different doctor offices in the area. Any advice would be very greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Interesting.

How would you like to have just graduated? If its difficult for an experienced nurse, I don't see how the nursing shortage is going to be helped when nurses that have been at a facitlity awhile treat nurses (experienced or new) with a sink or swim mentality. Again and again, I ask why? What do nurses gain by not going all out to see that new nurses succeed? Hope it works for you. I hated hurting and legs cramping all night and I only had a 15 min. drive to work! You must be exhausted!

I know the feeling. After 6 weeks my manager didn't think I was handling the med/surg floor so suggested I transfer to a step down unit on nights. I was feeling really embarrassed, etc. b/c I overheard a nurse talking about me behind my back. I always felt like an outsider, they would actually talk like I wasn't even there even if I said something. I only had a preceptor for five days and she hated working that floor and hadn't done med/surg in seven years. She transferred to the ER. That first night when the CNA gave a patient a bath at 0130 and then when the day CNA came in at 0430 and the RN went off on her which started this chain of events that was extremely uncomfortable, I quit. And I haven't even looked for a job for 2 months. It was so stressful but when everyone was so hateful I just couldn't handle it. I'm thinking of trying somewhere else with a longer orientation. Anyway, I hope it works for you. A lot of time the advice everyone gives is stick in there. I couldn't, I hope you can.

Ha, laughing at myself. Just noticed the date!! Anyone know how this OP is doing?

WHERE WAS YOUR PRECEPTOR? I know how you would feel.

You'll probably get a better answer in the general nursing discussion section. I had a preceptor 5 days.Never got better, quit -- nursing altogether. May get brave some day. Good luck. I think the preceptor thing makes all the difference.

Listen to the experienced. I lasted three months in M/S quit and am now "gun shy" and haven't applied anywhere. I probably should spend more time working on my resume and thinking about my options then reading this board!! LOL

If you believe the teachings of Christ (one of which is He came to serve and not be served) then you must act on your belief (by faith) knowing that Christ loved us and died for us while we were yet sinners. He took care of spiritual needs by demonstrating to us His love by taking care of physical needs in those who did not yet (and may never have) accepted His spiritual gift of salvation. By taking care of the physical body, He demonstrated His love and gave them reason to believe His spiritual teachings. Hope this helps.

I was 54 when I graduated from RN school and also had zilch experience. If I had to do it over again, I would have done LPN. Less schooling and less responsibility. I met another RN that had been an LPN for how long I don't remember, but she regretted ever getting her RN license. Something to think about.

Ignorance here, but shouldn't Lori be able to sue her DON and the hospital? Maybe if more innocent nurses did, the administrators would think twice about hauling a person off to pee in a cup and go through their personal belongings on a "suspicion".

I will be praying God's Will for you tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. What I don't understand is why your fellow nurses didn't just ask you what was up? And then when the DON came in -- why did she lie to you, why couldn't she just say "Are you OK?". Things like this keep me from seeking a job in nursing. Maybe you don't want to work there anymore. But, God's Will be done.

I wasn't fired but asked to transfer to another unit on nights, I went one night and decided I didn't want to work there. I'm "gun shy" now and after 6 weeks still have not actively looked for another job. I'm on this website everyday, and if I've learned anything from what I've read, your time with your preceptor and the sincerity of your preceptor to see that you orientate to your position and the others you work with (whether they're supportive or mean) will decide if you stay where you're at. The nicest nurses I worked with went through hell on the same floor by some of the same nurses, but I had to ask myself if this is why I went into nursing. The answer was no!! I don't want nursing to be my life and that's what it became -- always wondering what I did wrong, why were the other nurses so mean, etc. ,etc. and only having a preceptor 5 days . . . . anyway, you get the point. I sincerely hope you get past this and move on to a place that appreciates a person who wants to be a good nurse if given the opportunity.