CRNAwanaB

We have very good results at my facility which covers NICU and PICU ECMO cases. Our stats are very good compared to the national averages.

Are you serious?!?! 96 isn't too young to go back to school. If it is something you want to do, do it! Live life without regrets.

I remember coming out of nursing school. I was idealistic about the whole thing. Kind of the way you think you leave school with all sorts of knowledge and realize on your first day that you don't know squat and won't for about five years. The "real world" is lots different than that Florence Nightengale stuff that you have in your head leaving school. Don't get me wrong, nursing is a very compassionate and nurturing profession, but it is necessary to sometimes just do your job so that you can provide good care while taking care of all the charting and other CYA items that have become an integral part of nursing these days. Invasive procedures and such need to be discussed. Every little thing you do in that room does not.

Apply to more than one, hope, pray, and have patience. It took me three runs for an ADN program 7 years ago with a 3.5 GPA. I was about to give up and go to police academy (much to the chagrin of my wife), but I got in on #4 and have never regretted it. If it's what you want to do, then keep plugging along. Another option is to do the LVN to ADN route. Albeit less desireable, but much more feasable. I originally went to Tarrant County College and feel they have a very strong program that is well-respected in the DFW metroplex.

Everything is negotiable. Go to HR, mention your interest and desire to stay with them, but you do not want to be tied down for 18 months. Mention the nursing shortage (nicely) and that there are lots of other jobs available. Tell them you will take the job only if the contractural agreement is removed. They are not vested so much in you that they are risking a lot by doing so. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement that racks thousands and only have a 6 month retention contract (as I am doing now). Play nice and be firm in your convictions.