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!

Just to clarify: we do paper charting, so pretty easy to lie; our policy is to give meds 1 hr before or after time it's scheduled. If it isn't done within that time you should write down time actually given, I get floated to this unit usually at least once a week. My assistant nurse manager caught the LVN fudging a med time b/c she's crossed it out, but didn't give it at that time. This LVN was assigned to give my meds on two different occasions and both times she either didn't give med at all or fudged the time given. I'm looking for another job and have been pretty much since I got there since the job treats their nurses terribly (implementing team nursing in a psych facility rather than have one med nurse be held accountable-which was the previous policy, etc). I keep getting asked why I didn't give a scheduled IM on a pt in which she wad responsible for giving. My fault for being too busy to double check she did it, but she's been there over 4 years doing meds. I requested that nightshift no longer assign me on a team w/ the LVN. That had helped, but it annoys me that such a lazy, negligent person keeps her job. I will talk to the assist nurse manager rather than go directly to the nurse again as that had gotten me no where and she hasn't improved. Keep your fingers crossed I get offered another job soon as I might face serious backlash as her other good friend works in my regular unit. Lol

I am getting assignments as a team w/me as the RN and an LVN. I caught her not giving a med on time (which she then gave me attitude when I brought it to her attention as she's talking w/the charge nurse-her best buddy). I've caught her marking meds as given when she gave them later and blamed pharmacy for bringing them late.(I can understand pharmacy bringing them late, but don't mark it as done at 0900 if it didn't get to the pt until 2 hrs later). This person seems pretty lazy as she is gone off the floor frequently to joke w/ the charge in the nurses station. I don't want to cause problems, but I don't want to lose my license over this either. The hard part is that she has a lot of friends at work and I've been there less than 2 years and tend to stay "out of the loop" and avoid the politics/gossip. Should I talk to the manager (who saw firsthand that she didn't give the med until later, but yet it wad marked and brought it to the LVNs attention and suggested she mark the actual time she gave it). I feel like I have to double check that she gave the meds b/c I don't trust her. I'm not trying to cause this person trouble, but want yo voice my opinion that I refuse to be assigned w/her as a team. I get floated to her unit frequently, so not sure if they'll just try and ignore my request. Any advice? I want to handle this as a professional, but afraid it will turn catty and be to my detriment.

On my 2nd RN job and doing well (psych nursing easier for me). However, I want to apply for a VA position. My 1st job was as a new grad NICU nurse. I lasted 10 months. I was basically told off the record to quit before I was fired. (for me ICU was too anxiety provoking straight out of nursing school). The new job application requests the names of my nurse managers or supervisors. I fear they won't give me a good recommendation even though applying for a psych RN job and not a NICU job. (I had others I worked w/ tell me to use them as a reference rAther than the nurse manager or shift supervisor b/c they thought they would not recommend me for other RN jobs). Can I just not list the name and just put "contact human resources". Or is there a better way to handle it? I want to be professional b/c in all my years of working non-RN jobs the NICU was the only time I was threatened w/ being fired. I really want this new position and don't want to ruin my chances. Please advise.

I currently work primarily in adolescent psych. However I am considering a move into adult psych. What are important things to remember regarding med-surg type issues? (it's been a few years since I was in school and went straight into working w/ younger people). My main questions are regarding diabetic pts and pt's c/o chest pain. Also, other than coumarin are there any other meds have to watch closely ( monitor labs frequently, etc).

Thanks for everyone's input. The PA program would be cheaper ($8,000 ) vs NP ($36,000). It's a certificate w/ bridge to Masters degree. ( I have 2 bachelors degrees already). I was primarily interested in OR or family practice. Didn't really plan to head ER route. So I was thinking I would have less stress in these jobs. ( saw PA assist surgeon and as long as your trained well should be okay). I like the idea of having mysteries to solve in what is going on w/ a patient, but of the ambulatory situation rather than acute care. I realize the program is very competive as I was thinking of being a PA long before I became a RN. (started college pre-med). I've talked to some students in the program who explained that as a county employee ( which I am) you get pushed to the top of the list of applicants b/c it's a county based community college and they assume you'll continue to serve the underserved communities as a PA. I have all my prereqs do except Physics( yuck! Never thought I could handle the class). I'm not just looking at the $$ PAs make b/c nurses w/ alot of exp can make as much as PA (and wouldn't have to take on more student loan debt). Just would like to find a job I'd enjoy as nursing just doesn't feel like the best fit for me. Thanks again for the information everyone had provided!

You are Correct! The school part doesn't phase me. I took a 12 month accelerated BSN program. I love to learn and figure things out, not just follow a dr's orders. I loved A&P classes. The PA program here allows applicants in w/ just 2,000 work hrs in healthcare and many I talked w/ were EMTs prior to being in the program. So not sure if more years of nursing exp are needed. I'm just trying to get a feel for how PA differs from being a nurse. I changed careers to be an RN later in life and have found that nurses can be some of the hardest people to have as co-workers. They treat each other terribly for people that are supposed to be "nurturers". Plus, you get little respect from dr's, etc. If I wanted to be treated like I had no brain I would have worked at McDonald's.

Contemplating going back to school to become a physician assistant. Seems like most RNs take the NP route, but PA would be cheaper for me and might allow me to work in the OR. From what I understand NPs aren't in the OR. I'm under the impression that PAs can get hands on training in new depts, whereas NPs need to go back to school fir another certification. I feel like I can't do much as an RN b/c I hated med surg while in school. Most of it was b/c I found it so overwhelming and my brain could not keep up. I became a psych RN and like some parts of it, but get tired of dealing w/ the same people for 12+ hrs. I know ther are other areas in nursing, but the way the market is right now no one wants to cross train you into another dept and I only have 2 years RN experience. Nursing is harder and more grueling than I originally thought. Plus I have an anxiety problem and get flustered worrying I might do something wrong and hurt someone. So any info about RNs turned PA would be appreciated.

...I went into nursing b/c I do like to help people, wanted to make sure I could always take care of my 2 young kids (went into nursing after nasty divorce). I think it would be less stressful sometimes if I didn't care as much about doing things right and not wanting to cause harm to a patient. I feel like I'm incapable, but yet now charge nurse. It's like I'm just hoping they don't find out how little I know. It's weird, but feel like a "fraud". Don't understand it as did make it to being an RN. I guess my stress is not helped much by my current husband having undiagnosef depression or something (findlly talked him into going to psychiatrist for it this week). Maybe I just have too much stress in my life, w/ being a working mom w/ no family nearby to help out. Sorry this was so long.

Thanks for the responses thus far. To provide some answers/ clarification to some of the posted questions: I have 10 months NICU ( straight out of nursing school, loved teaching the parents, but the intensity of going straight into NICU wAs too much for me. My supervisor told me she'd never seen anyone as anxious as me and she couldn't think of anyplace I'd actually fit in nursing...so confidence blown I went into psych RN job. Like somethings but county management is terrible, nothing ever written down about changes, low pay, dirty work environment, work w/ pts that are often homeless and have nothing to lose by hurting nurses) i live in CA so w/ state being in the read almost afraid to go I to into public health. Wanted to try home health, but talked to an RN in my area that tried it and she mentioned getting sent to gang members homes, meth labs, etc. There's gangs/ drugs in communities surrounding mine. So trying to be thankfuli have a job, but dread going to work most days. Doing counseling and medication, but it's not helping as much as I'd hoped. I used to feel confident, highly regarded in other careers I've had , but nursing seems to mostly just kick you in the butt.

I have been an RN for 2 years. Recently diagnosed with depression. I'm trying to figure out if part of the reason I became so depressed is b/c I just don't feel competent as a nurse. Even in nursing school I felt like nursing might not be for me, but was in an accelerated BSN program and chalked it up to stress. I don't like the stress/responsibility of being an RN. I feel anxious whenever the poop hits the fan. I imagine good RNs thrive on that adrenaline, whereas w/me it just makes me forget everything I know and need to do. I am not a very detailed person. I realize this about myself. I try and be detailed, but usually don't catch all the things in documentation. (I originally saw the psychiatrist to find out if I had Adult ADD as it's difficult for me to stay focused at work and I felt like I was making dumb mistakes, but she dx'ed me w/ Severe depression instead). I'm basically trying to find out how can you tell when you're a square peg that just doesn't fit into that round hole? And if bedside nursing isn't for me due to the stress what are some other ways to use my RN license (have BA in Psych also)? I know I don't want to go into Informatics as I don't consider myself a computer geek. Thought of home health, but have never worked med/surg so feel like I might not be confident/competent enough to do things out in the field on my own w/all cases. Thanks for any helpful thoughts you can provide.