LisaCRN05

The only reason why I mention that is I went to school with a couple of people that flunked a couple of tests because they thought they had simplified their studies. I even get Nursing Made Incredibly Easy magazine and love that too!

Whatever fits into your lifestyle. I am not getting my BSN but started with my ADN because it was quicker for me to get into the field. Do your comparisons, see what fits. Good luck! The one definite thing I can say is no matter what, CONTINUE.

Wouldn't you have to convert Australian dollars to American dollars before making an analysis? Before I started doing agency, I made more money not as a nurse, in a doctor's office with flexibility, the ability to urinate when I had the urge, no weekends, holidays and my hands weren't cracked from handwashing so much.

These books are a great series. They are fun to read! You can't just use these books though, you really need to refer to the text books you have and use these guides as a helpful tool to understand. Good luck!

"Some kind of wonderful" (that's what nurses are haha) and in the same song "Can I get a witness?" (to wasting a narcotic). This is fun! I think that is Grand Funk.

Worked for them in Rhode Island. I was not impressed at all either. I had been warned by someone that they are not consistent and that is true. Feel them out and see. Don't forget that you can join more than once agency. That is what I did.

dsgworld.com - Diversified Staffing. I live in Mass and the office I called was in RI. They were able to send me to LTC facilities in both states. The pay is good and they are very friendly! Good luck!

It's funny you ask that question. I have been a nurse for a year and a half and have tried oncology, long-term care, travel assignments and I have been offered a job in a pedi office. Here I am a week away and am already hired at the VA to start Monday. I keep thinking I will miss the floor nursing but part of me thinks 5 weeks vacation, 10 paid holidays, true pension...is that worth more? But clinical was NOT a regret. I learned soooo much. Getting that experience in allows you to feel more confident about applying for different jobs (like I did). You can always try something and if you don't like it, you can always go back to the hospital. Good luck!

NO WAY! I worked with a wonderful nurse who has and insulin pump. You need to take care of yourself and follow doctors orders. There's no skipping snacks or lunch because you are "too busy." Let your manager know this information too. Good luck.

Rhode Island Hospital is big but it also provides you with a lot of experience. They are a union hospital, unlike their other Lifespan affiliates. I worked there as a transcriptionist before nursing school and loved it. Yes, there are shuttles to take you to your car if you have a late shift. Their new ED is fabulous! Unlike one of their other affiliates, you have CNAs to help you with your shift. The affiliate that I worked at practiced the primary nursing model which means that you are pushing and IV med and someone with C-Diff is calling for the bedpan. I am not against total care of the patient but on a difficult patient floor, this can wreck you. I have a friend who works at RI Hospital and loves it. Good luck! Kent is a wonderful hospital too. Interview at both.

As a new nurse, of course I always tried my hardest but sometimes wondered if it was good enough. I had this patient that nobody believed his pain, just wrote it off as a grumpy old man, medication seeker. I had him for two days. After explaining to the resident and getting nowhere, I went to the attending who changed his medication which made all the difference. He wrote the nicest letter about me to my manager and even came by one day with a big hug, kiss and an offer to go to lunch in the cafeteria (yeah right, take lunch??). It made me feel really good as a new nurse.

I can tell you that I went into oncology (but have since left and regret it) because you are not just treating the patient, but the families as well. While some people hate dealing with families, I loved it. Also, because alot of chemo is done mostly outpatient in RI except for those you really need hospitalized, there are other cases on the floor that are more complex. I had a wonderful experience on the oncology unit and learned so much! You have to be someone that can deal with sadness and death.

Get out of that job. Find another! Ageism does exist and when it does in a particular place, GET OUT. You're not that old, come on! I went to school with a 50-year-old student who graduated at 52. We all loved her and she is a good nurse right now. Good luck.

Thank goodness for this site! It is about venting and like many others have said, we have all been to nursing school, some experiences more grueling than others. This is the real world and when you complete school you may have a thing or two to say to vent and we'll be here for you! Keep up the good work because getting through nursing school to me was more of an achievement than getting my first job! :0)

I too, share that 2nd thought. I haven't found my niche. With only a year and a half experience, I am considered still a "new nurse" but I have done travel, oncology, nursing home and turned down several psyche jobs. I am now in the process of getting a job at the VA. I'm so confused. I love the actual nursing part of the job, it's al the rest of it. My husband is so disappointed that I will waste my degree but I am finding it hard to find my "niche" and am getting very worried. Just wanted to share and vent. THanks for reading.