scrubby bubby

It looks like the second paragraph is a footnote to an asterick she singled out in the first paragraph. Just pointing out the definition since arpeggiated didn't seem to grasp it.

We don't have Advance Practice Nurses on my floor, so unfortunately, I can't answer your question, 1happygirl. But, I do understand perfectly what you're saying.

Collegiality: (Definition)- Shared power and authority vested among colleagues.What the OP is saying makes perfect sense. See the defintion of collegiality above. Think "camaraderie"- the are similar. And the OP uses both words in her post. And, she also astericked a point to footnote it at the bottom of her post. I think what she's asking makes perfect sense... anyone who understands these definitions care to respond?

Unless they are healthcare-related degrees, they probably won't help you out too much. Hospitals are looking for nursing experience and healthcare-related experience and education when hiring RNs. While these other degrees certainly won't hurt you and might make you look good in the eyes of HR, they won't necessarily get you the job.

Oooh, I am excited just hearing that! I do have ACLS, PALS already. And being independent doesn't scare me. I really like the thought of that. I do believe I would need more experience, however.

Does anyone have any information on Critical Care Ambulance Nursing? Or possibly even helicopter Critical Care Nursing? I am currently working in ICU, (only 7 mos) but am going to take some time off work to focus on finishing BSN degree and taking care of family. I also have 2 1/2 years experience in LTC. When I am finished with the BSN, I am thinking about making a switch in specialities. I really like dealing with the high acuity level of ICU pts, but due to recent family health issues, I have been very influenced by and impressed with emergency care nursing. My father was also a fireman for over 25 years before he retired and he worked on an ambulance for much of that time, so I grew up with knowing a little bit about the life of an ambulance paramedic. I have heard that there are RNs employed on ambulance/helicopter/critical care teams and was hoping someone might have more information about this. How much experience do you generally need to do something like this? What is "a day in the life" of an ambulance RN like? I'm guessing they are probably employed for private companies for the most part rather than directly by a hospital? Thanks for any information you might have.

Thank you all for your replies, very helpful to have the support and encouragement. My 6-month old is having lung problems, and I want to be home to take care of her, as well as finish my BSN and working is going to be too much. My husband travels all the time for business (gone sometimes M-F out on the west coast) and I really need to be home for my daughter. It just makes it so hard because i've got a year left of school still and don't want to give that up. Plus when I return to work, I am interested in going to a different specialty. I work ICU right now and have been thinking a lot of going to ER or another critical care area. Seeing the NICU nurses care for my daughter several months ago has been amazing, and I am very impressed by what they do. That and the ER nurses have been great. I think it may be my time switch out of the ICU when I am done with my program and I can concentrate on caring for my daughter over the next year. Unfortunately I have only been working ICU for 7 months and i'm afriad it just looks so bad with me leaving so soon. Then, in one year, trying to reapply to the same hospital but a different area. I just hope they understand and aren't upset they spent so much time training me in ICU. I just finished with my preceptorship only 1 month ago, and my preceptor(s) were wonderful. Thanks again for the support.

I definitely don't think I qualify for leave of absence due to the lenght of time I plan to spend not working. I think I will have to resign, in which case- hopefully if I do so on "good terms" then I will be rehirable. Any suggestions on ways to leave on good terms? I will give the 2 week notice and of course tell the NM that I am sorry to be leaving and resign in a friendly way. Other ideas? I sure hope that I am rehirable after all is said and done. I really want to return to this hospital. Thanks for the responses.

Thank you- these are great responses. I appreciate the advice, I am having so much trouble deciding what to do. I'm worried about letting everyone down by leaving so soon, they have all invested so much time in training me and its a really good place to work. I hope to switch areas when I start working again and am interested in ER nursing so this complicates things. When I start working again, I hope to apply to a different department than now. I'm afraid HR or the NMs will see that I only worked for 7 months in ICU and think why would they want to invest the time training me again somewhere else? I have am finishing my BSN right now and have 1 year left after the summer and no way can I work and finish at the same time with the family health issues I have in my life right now. I just have to finish this program and I will be back on my feet. I have invested so much time and money in it that I hate to give up now.

Need opinions on this- how bad is it to leave a job after less than a year working? If you leave on good terms with 2 week notice, does it make you un-rehirable at that institution? I may have to leave my job for unrelated personal issues right now after working less than a year, but I want to work for this same place again once I am ready to work again. Please help with advice- thanks!