JunebugRN28
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Hey everyone! I am about to start applying to Children's and was just wondering what the shifts are like. On the website, it lists all d/n 12 hr every other weekend. Is this the case, or is there some variation? Honestly, I don't mind, but am just wondering what hours I would possibly be working if I got hired. Once you gain some seniority, is every third weekend a possibility? Also, congrats to everyone with job offers!!
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I agree! If peds is where you see yourself, go for it! I knew I wanted to do peds, but started in adults (have worked on a gen med floor for about a year). I have spent most of the year looking forward to starting in peds! and I cannot wait to do so. Although I don't regret starting with adults, and have learned a lot, part of me wishes I had started in peds as a new grad. I will be starting on a peds floor in a couple of weeks, and am soo excited, but also nervous and know it will be somewhat like starting over. Good luck!
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Congrats! I felt the same way after my first experience in the NICU and am hoping to get into one soon. Good luck with the rest of school! 5 weeks will go by very fast!!!
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Oh do I ever feel your pain!! I was exactly where you are just about a year ago. Being a new nurse is VERY difficult at times. It is a whole new world. I have been working on a medical unit for almost a year now, with the plan to apply to NICUs once that year is up (just started applying now). Back then, I didn't know how I was going to make it, but trust me, things got a lot better. Starting any new nursing job is difficult, but it gets better with time. I don't absolutely love my job now, but I like it and I love my co-workers. I no longer dread going to work and worry about "what if this/that happens." Anyhow . . . I guess what you do depends on your situation. I would probably stick it out for at least 6 months and then start looking for NICU jobs (in some places these positions can be few and far between). If you do see a position, I would then apply. Just look into your hospitals policy for how long they want you to work there before you transfer (this will give you a better idea of how long they expect/would like you to stay at the facility). As another poster said, you really don't want to burn any bridges. You just never know what you will want/where you will want to work in the future. Good luck to you!! Remember it gets better & we have all been there!
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Hi SL1011, There are actually several threads started about what people like/don't like about NICU nursing. Look in the sticky section (at the top) for some topics about why people love working in the NICU-- there are great stories in there :) Also, here is a thread about the difficult aspects of working in the NICU: https://allnurses.com/forums/f33/hardest-things-deal-nicu-301316.html Regarding your comment about probably not being able to start in certain areas as a new grad, please don't let that prevent you from trying! I thought it would be difficult to get into this area as a new grad (actually didn't think of it as a possibility), and I am currently doing a year of med surg and hoping to get into NICU after this. After reading this forum frequently, it sounds like several NICUs gladly hire new grads and I def wish I would have applied initially! I suppose it depends on the unit/part of the country. Also, you can apply for nurse internships (between your junior and senior year if you are BSN, not sure about 2 year) in specific areas. It would get your foot in the door in a NICU if you got one. Good luck!
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Thanks for sharing! What an amazing story.
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Who says that you aren't a nurse?!?! That is ridiculous. There are many different areas of nursing, and anyone who has said this to you is simply closed minded. Working with geriatric psych patients is incredibly challenging and, as the previous poster said, takes a special person. If you like where you are now I'd stay stick with it. You can always move to another area later AND without difficulty. Nurse managers will realize that you have gained plenty of skills during your experience on this floor (how to manage a lot of patients, working in difficult situations, and communicating with the rest of the team, to name a few). Don't let other people bring you down. If you enjoy your job, be happy about it. Sounds like you are doing a great job as an RN!! :)
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Congrats Dawn!!! That sounds like a very interesting floor- I bet you will learn a LOT. So glad to hear that things are going better for you there! Good luck to you :)
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Oh my goodness! That is WAY too many patients for a day shift! How are you getting assessments & vitals done, all meds passed, cares done, etc? It sounds impossible! Are there any larger hospitals close to your town you could look at? It sounds like both hospitals have staffing issues that will make things very difficult for a new grad. Good luck and let us know how everything works out.
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I am a fairly new nurse, but we often have hospice/comfort care patients on my floor. In my experiences I try to feel out the family for what will help them best. I have found that many just really want to do whatever is best for their loved one at the time. I explain everything we are doing and why. I also explain what signs I am seeing and/or what to look for as someone becomes closer to death (decreased urine output, mottling, respirations, etc.). We also have some great materials that are very helpful to family members. I usually offer these first and ask if they have any questions, then go from there based on what they want to know. If they seem to want to help, I offer suggestions of what they can do to keep their loved ones comfortable. I remind them that their loved ones may be able to hear them if they would like to talk to them. I always make sure to ask them, "Is there anything I can do for you right now? And Please let us know if you need anything" We try to keep the family comfortable during these times as well, offering coffee, blankets, etc. Allowing the families to talk about memories, how they are feeling, and just being there for them is a great help. Chaplains are also a HUGE help for some families! In terms of the patient, I watch for signs of pain/discomfort/restlessness/anxiety. Our docs are usually great about ordering a good amount of prn morphine, ativan, etc. I give these as often as the pt needs them. We turn and reposition them as needed, but if the pt looks comfortable and hasn't been, we don't necessarily turn them as frequently as we would most patients. Even if the patients aren't alert I tell them everything I am doing. I just do my best to keep the patient as comfortable as possible and help them die peacefully. Although it can be heart wrenching, I have found that caring for these patients and families can be incredibly rewarding. Helping someone die peacefully and comfortably and being part of this intimate part of someone's life is an honor. The strength and love I have seen from these families is incredible. Also, I try to remember to take care of myself. Another nurse told me that it is important to grieve the death of a patient. I have found that this is true, especially when caring for a patient several shifts in a row. Obviously I won't grieve for them in the same way as a loved one, but I often have cried after a shift (or in the bathroom!). It is still the end of a life, and that is never something that is easy to deal with. Hope this helps a little :)
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Hang in there!! I am pretty sure every new nurse feels overwhelmed by the fear of harming patients. Being a nurse is an incredible responsibility and when you first start and realize how big this is it can be very frightening! I just started in February and I already feel a million times better. Although at times l am still jealous of the unit secretaries, people with office jobs, waitresses, etc., etc., it is getting better! Don't get me wrong, I still am nervous about things, but I am not as paralyzed by it because I know that I WILL ask questions when I am unsure about something, even if I am afraid it will make me look stupid. I have found that almost all nurses are happy to help and often times may not know the answer themselves. Just knowing you have support and will (hopefully) have help when you need it really helps. You worked so hard to get where you are now and you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. At least stick it out a year (not sure how long you have been working!). Nursing is an incredibly rewarding career and hopefully sticking it out will be worth it. About working in critical care, I am not sure as I work on gen med floor. I can tell you that sometimes I wish my patients were monitored as closely as ICU/CCU pts, as I get worried that I will miss the signs that a patient is starting to go downhill. Trust yourself-I'm sure you are doing a great job