kimima01

Ahh... I did not know this. Rearview, did you ask what the Hospice CM position you are applying for entails?

Rearview, I would believe so, as a hospice case manager IS a case manager. I, like you, am an ER nurse. I have a second interview for a case management position. I have zero CM experience, by the way. I was actually interviewing for a totally different position when the hiring manager asked if I would be interested in a CM position instead. She said she is more than willing to train the right person with no experience, rather than hire someone with experience who is not a good fit. Have you looked for CM positions in your current facility? It is a good place to start. Keep looking. There is a CM position out there with your name on it! Best of luck to you.

A student that was at the top of our graduating class took 9 months to find work after passing the nclex.

Good luck to you! I also interviewed as an internal applicant for L&D. I can't say that I was completely prepared for it but I am keeping my fingers crossed. I currently work in med-surg and I can no longer stomach it. It took me less than 2 years to burn out. Again, best of luck!

Hey Linguine! I have been an RN for about a year now and I will start an OR training program in January. I am super excited! I initially applied for the position in May of this year but did not get the job. I did take a position in the rehabilitation unit at the same hospital. In October, I applied again and was accepted. I am positive that being an internal applicant helped tremendously. There is 3 months or so of the AORN Periop 101 course and then 6 months on the floor with a preceptor. It can be done and don't give up. My advice is to find the hospital you really want to work for and apply. Be willing to take a position on another unit if need be, at least you will have your foot in the door. Good luck to you!

I passed with 75 questions. When I made it to question number 74, I was sweating bullets. I had to take a break to pull myself together.

I always do my own vitals. Just the other day, I looked at a flowsheet in one of my pt's charts and the unit manager had recorded numbers that did not even come close to mine. Not only that, I never saw her go into any of those pts rooms with a stethoscope, let alone a thermometer and BP cuff.

I am a brand new RN in an LTC/subacute rehab facility. I am eternally grateful for those nurses with the 20+ years of experience! They are an incredible resource and bring a sense of calm to otherwise stressful situations. I know that they have seen everything under the sun and are not easily rattled. Perhaps you should take the time to ask why they are still working. Maybe then you will have a bit more compassion.

I don't waste my breath. I don't engage just so I don't get worked up. You have the doctor's orders so that works in your favor.

I graduated in May 2009, started as an RN in a hospital on a telemetry floor for almost 3 months. I quit the hospital to move closer to my fiance because we did not want to have a long distance relationship. I started working in LTC 2 months ago so I think I can compare the two. The work load is definitely heavier in LTC. Recently, the acuity of residents in the subacute/rehab area where I work has increased. At present time, 4 out of 20 residents are post-op open heart surgery. Sats drop, HR increase of decrease so you have to keep a pretty close watch as they can go bad at the drop of a dime. 7 of the 20 require accuchecks with insulin injections at least 2x's on my shift. Blood sugars drop to critical levels or shoot through the roof so you have to keep an eye on those folks as well. IMO, I was able to provide better care to my 5 pts on telemetry when I worked in the hospital. I was able to be more attentive when I needed to be. I liked that I could ask my charge nurse for assistance and guidance if needed. Where I work now, there are no clinical pathways for the residents so I rely heavily on what I've learned in the hospital.

I am a new grad with 4 months experience. I believe that with time, things do get better. I am less concerned with "fitting in" than doing my job because that will come in time. I was a tech also and know how hard I worked in that role. As a nurse, I help my techs as much as possible if I can. For example, I am learning how to cluster care for my patients. If someone who requires complete care and I need to give meds, start an IV, do a skin assessment or whatever, I tell my tech that I will give them a hand with bathing and dressing while I am getting some of my work done at the same time. I always show my gratitude with a "thanks for getting that done" or a compliment. As a result, things get done without me having to ask more times than not. There will always be gossip among techs. Some have been in their jobs for years and years and have seen nurses come and go. Don't let it get to you. Now the IV thing, I always, always tell my patients that they will feel a big pinch so they know what to expect! Yesterday I started an IV and told my patient that she would feel a pinch and she allowed me to stick her 3 times! This is also a skill that gets better with time. Hang in there!

Wouldn't do that either.

Their inability to write legibly:angryfire.

:lol2:

Oh, and let's not forget the unreasonable expectations of some family members:mad:.

Yes there is the NP and CRNA, but these are not positions you can just jump into. You do need floor experience and a few more years of schooling. My ultimate goal is to be an NP, however, I have to work in the trenches for a few years before I can make that a reality.

I have encountered a few nurses who have quit their jobs to do something entirely different. One nurse decided after 10 years of hating her job to return to school for computer engineering. Others simply cannot just quit. Some stay because they have children, mortgages, need the insurance, etc. I worked with a nurse who had been at the same hospital for nearly 30 years and hated it. I asked her, "why don't you just leave?". Her response, "because I am too old to do anything else".

Quite a few poster's comments are reality based on personal experiences or of knowing someone who has done it. The point is that nursing school is challenging regardless of age but it is doable if you are willing to put in the hard work.

Research and apply to both schools. Speak with advisors and ask what makes their program different from the other. I remember asking around about which program was better (in D.C.) and I got a host of differing opinions which made me even more confused about where to go!

! Were they even conscious?

Hey there! You must get rid of that mindset! I graduated in May 2009 and one of my oldest classmates was 52. As a matter of fact, there were plenty of 30 and 40 somethings in our group, many of which were in their 2nd and 3rd career transitions. You can do it!:nuke:

If your reasons for applying to the school are the same, I see no problem with using them in your essay.

I am glad you feel better, too! I usually have to work extra hard to keep my spirits up this time of year. I try to think of at least five things I am grateful for everyday.

I didn't apply for the internship. I took a chance and applied for 3 different positions. I was turned down for 1 and then a nurse recruiter emailed me to request an interview for another. I decided not to limit myself to applying for internships or fellowships. I figure the worst that could happen is to be told I am not qualified!

I hope that you get the job. I would love to work in the OR someday. You should be proud to have made it to a second interview!