babblingbrook

Things actually ended up working out well for me. I finish my MSN-PMHNP degree in May. I worked in psychiatric nursing after leaving NICU. One door closing led to other doors opening for me. I had originally planned to become psychologist long ago, before nursing school. Why are you in Float pool as new grad? That seems like way too much, too soon. Can you go to different hospital in your area that's more supportive? Unfortunately, nursing has changed ALOT in the decade since I became a nurse. Lots of stress on nurses due to short staffing, etc. Nurse Managers need to fill the shifts so they may keep you just to fill in

Thanks for all of the great info. I'm a Nebraska Corn huskers fan so other than the school in Ann Arbor had no idea there was another big 10 school. Lol. You mentioned your friend works in Psych at Sparrow. What town is that located in? Does your friend know of any other good psych departments? What is the main hospital in Battle Creek? Didn't see one on our quick trip thru area for house hunting. I am trying to keep my commute less than 30 min since not sure how quick or we'll roads get plowed in Portage/ Battle Creek area. Have had a 1 hour commute for several years here in Southern California...tired of long commute. Lol. My husband is willing to have longer commute if I need to work in Grand Rapids. Thanks again for your time in answering questions. It's very appreciated.

Thanks for the response. I currently work at a VA in San Diego and they don't allow you to work over 12hr. Why are they needing so many RNs? Curious, since high turnover can say alot about management, etc. What did you like about the unit? My husband plans to take a job in Battle Creek so we plan to move to Marshall or Portage area. From what I've read Battle Creek public schools are terrible. Did you visit any other psych departments in the area? Curious if other hospitals were worse or better. Thanks!

I will be moving to MI. Have only practiced in CA. Trying to find out differences between regulations, etc in MI compared to CA. Interviewed today for a VA RN job and they mentioned "mandating". Had to ask them to explain what it was as they don't have it where I work in CA. Sounds like mandatory overtime and would have to work yup to 16 hrs in 1 shift. I thought Joint Commission no longer allowed nurses to work beyond 12 hr shift. That's the way it is here in CA. So now I'm curious what other surprises I might come across as an RN in MI. I trained in NV so all my nursing experience is from West Coast. Also, interviewed for VA position in Battle Creek, MI. Are there any hospitals that I should stay away from b/c they treat nurses terribly? Thanks!

Looking to move from So California to Kalamazoo, MI area. Have been Psych RN 6 years. Hubby from MI. Seems like jobs are scarce in this area. Any advice? Plan to go back to school for Psych NP. Is this or Psych RN with BSN marketable in this area of Michigan? My husband is from Michigan and I was raised in Midwest. Michigan is totally new to me other than 1 visit years ago. Where r good places to live or work? I am a veteran and thought of applying at VA Battle Creek, but they had 8 hr shifts and have worked w/ vet population before. Any advice?

I recently was dx'ed with moderate cervical DDD. About 2 months ago s/s of cervical radiculopathy began. I tend to just tough things out and push on, but the pain was unbearable at the end of 12 hr shift. I didn't think it was caused by work as it was a gradual thing, but now I am wondering if I should file Workmans comp as I had been doing more strenuous things at work lately. My boss refused to accommodate my dr's work restriction (just 8 hr shifts- we have 8 and 12 hr shifts)and told me I had to take my leave. She said it wasn't work related. I assume she is just trying to get rid of me as I stand up for myself usually and she's a bully. But I am curious what my rights are as an RN. I feel like we are considered disposable by managers. Anyone run across this issue before? I am curious what other work I can do with my RN and not cause more harm to my neck. Thanks!

Thanks for the tips! The pts usually have dementia, very little muscle tone, hard of hearing so they don't follow directions very well. I don't work consistently on the Geripsych pod, about every 2 months just for 2 days, so hard to get a rhythm. Is it best to have w/c seat right next to bed or facing bed. Like I said they don't or can't follow directions well, so trying to do as little turning as possible. Thank goodness for grab bars in bathrooms!! Some of them are so weak or confused.

Hello- I have 3 years RN exp, but rarely had to transfer pts to/from bed. ( I worked NICU 10 about a year and almost 2 years primarily adolescent psych). I have a new job which has a Geripsych pod. I feel totally out of my element. I would like tips on transferring wheelchair bound pts to/from their bed, toilet, etc. Once you have those foot pedals from w/c in the way I get concerned pt or me will trip. We're usually short on staff so if I'm lucky I have a 2nd person to assist. I took an accelerated BSN course and unfortunately they barely touched on this. I'd like to protect my body and not injure pt as some are "dead weight". I'm not a real big gal, but want to get the job done right without injuring anyone. Any constructive tips would be appreciated! I haven't run across any books, Internet articles on this, but maybe the newer RNs or students know of some visual info. Thanks!!

I'm a INFP myself. I think it's wise to see how your personality relates to different careers. Problem is that it would be hard for nurses to tell you whether an INFP personality would fit other health careers better than nursing b/c most of us have only been nurses. Also, you have to factor in other things like are you a detail-oriented person or the opposite, do you like high stress or off the charts stress, etc. The old adage about nursing is true...there are sooooooooooooo many different areas in nursing that most people eventually find their area or move out of nursing and on to something they're more passionate about. I've wondered your same question, but am just coming to realize that life is a very curvy road and we have to find out what we don't like or what doesn't fit us before we fall into a career we enjoy (for the most part). I'm not sure if INFP tend to like the straight, direct path more than other personalities or everyone is that way. Sometimes you have to just take a leap of faith and talk to lots of professionals. I learned more about what other healthcare professionals do AFTER I became a nurse. That was despite shadowing OTs, PTs, Speech Pathologists, X-ray techs, etc. prior to becoming a nurse. Sometimes the journey is just a long one to find out what we like or can tolerate in a career. Starting as a CNA is a great opportunity to find out more about many of the healthcare professions and not waste a lot of money on schooling only to find out you don't like the career as much as you thought (and making good money can only ease the money slightly). Good luck on your quest!!

Just to clarify...about 95% of drive is on the same interstate, so can't vary route too stimulate my brain as there's no other way to get home. I wasn't a coffee drinker on the previous night shift job. Might have to try it again and get over the taste!haha

I know money isn't everything, but...it would mean my salary would increase by 1/3 (about $30,000). Plus, in the future I could move to days.

Interviewed for a job that turns out to be night shift (ad didn't specify). It would be a big pay increase so I'm considering it even though night shift was hard for me when I tried it almost 2 years ago. It was hard for me to stay awake driving the 1 hr commute home as it's pretty barren (no stores, etc to enliven the scenary and perk up your brain). Any tips on how to arrive home alive? I had a friend pass away recently who was a night shift nurse driving home from work w/a 1 hr commute. They are not sure what happened to her, but I bet she fell asleep at the wheel as I'd done that many times driving home on the same boring interstate and fortunately for me I woke up in time to not cause harm. I'm considering just taking a 1-2 hr "nap" in my car prior to heading home so maybe I wouldn't be as sleepy driving. I'd tried all the tricks about windows being open, eating, listening to loud music, etc but found out if your body is tired it's just tired and will give out on you. P.S. - I can't move closer as my husband has a 40 min commute north and mine would be 60+ min south. So where we live is right in the middle and has good schools for our kids. Thanks

Thanks for the link! It was very helpful in preparing me for the interview tomorrow. I have some basic ideas in mind of what I'll be asked and the format now.

I'm a veteran. My friends say I'm a shoe in b/c of that (veterans preference), but I'd still like to have a good idea of what to expect b/c it's a panel interview w/6 people. My friend that did her psych clinical rotation there said it's a great place to work (we work in a county psych hospital and she said it's soooo much better and safer than our current environment). VA appears to have great leave benefits compared to most other hospitals. Plus, if I put in 16 years (and tack on my 4 years military service) I'd get a pension after 20 years of service. The 26 days of leave is the biggest attraction as I have young children and w/my current job I only get less than a week of leave a year. I'd like to actually get a real vacation at some point in the next few years. haha

I have an interview for a Psych RN position at the VA hospital. I was curious what questions other candidates have been asked in interviews for VA RN jobs. THANKS!