arnie1234

Great article. I couldn't agree more with the no friends at work. I don't even have a facebook page!!!

Hi everyone. I wanted to get some perspectives on making a change... I would like to do some agency work at some point down the road.... The last decade of my nursing career has been in outpatient preop, OR and recovery room...While most of my experiences have given me the ability to multi-task, and work in an efficient and fast paced environment, I feel that in order to travel or work local per diem, I need to get back into the hospital inpatient world. I thought about maybe staying prn in outpatient recovery and then picking up some prn float pool at the hospital. Any thoughts? Would med surg/float pool be doable for someone with mostly outpatient experience? I really like pacu but do not want to take a full time position which would require me to take call, nor do I want to work 5 days per week...

Thanks for the info!

Hello. Does anyone know much about this specialty? What types of duties do these nurses do?

Hello. Several months ago, I decided I needed a change and applied for a transfer to another department, a totally different specialty. I had been working in the same specialty for over 12 years. I was contemplating going back to school and decided I would be more successful pursuing my education while working 12 hr shifts, something I could not do in my previous job. Things didn't work out and I didnt get into the program I applied for. I have since decided that I am not interested in going back to school. I have been in my new department (ED) for 3 mos. I hate it. I feel that the environment is unsafe, the rooms are not being properly cleaned between patients ( one wheels out on a stretcher and the EMS wheels right in behind it ) and the patient ratio is high. We are constantly short staffed, and in order to get a lunch, I have had to ask for coverage. Many staff members get hungry enough that they leave their zone unattended so they can get dinner. I wont do that. Communication between the charge nurses and the staff stinks. I have had two occasions where my patient who was soon to be discharged was moved to another area in order for them to stick a new patient in my room. Without telling me! On one of these occasions, my patient's son called to see if he needed to come get his mother to take her back to the nursing home or if we would provide ambulance transport. I could not find his mother! The charge nurse moved her and didn't tell me. What an idiot I looked like... The charge nurse could have called my assigned cell but did not deem it important enough. Many of the staff members are transferring out, the rest are just burnt out. The patients are angry- its a three ring circus. I most likely will have to leave the organization in order to find a new job. I am used to a little more control in the environment. I have started looking for other jobs as I have emailed the director about some of my concerns and have voiced various concerns to the charge nurse to no avail. I am considering going back to my previous specialty at another organization. Is it too soon to know that this is not for me? will it look bad on a resume that I left a specialty and then want to go back?

"my right leg is weak, I have blurry vision in my left eye, and I feel like my kidney is hanging out of my lady parts"

First of all, thank you for being thoughtful. I have just transferred to the ED at my hospital just a month ago. I will say that there are some coworkers who are very friendly and the docs are friendly and welcoming. My nurse manager doesn't even know my name and on the days she is running the ship, she has to change the assignments because she: 1- doesnt remember that my preceptor has an orientee , 2- doesnt even know my name, she calls me an "orientee". I have to say she does not make me feel welcome. Its a good thing that my preceptor has been very welcoming for me, it really does make a difference. Newbies like me need to feel comfortable asking questions, even questions that some people think are stupid questions. We don't want to harm anyone and we need to be able to do our jobs safely, confidently, and as team players. We won't accomplish this without the help of positive friendly people.

I worked OR for awhile and I dont think it there is a set personality type. Having just moved to the ER myself, I would say that there is so much more patient interaction with patients in the ER. To me OR has less personal interaction and is boring compared to the business of the ER.

Hi everyone, after 13 years of nursing, mostly in the periop setting (pacu, or, preop)... I made the daring step of moving to the ER in an academic setting. I have been officially on the floor for a little over 2 weeks. I think it is a great environment, the docs and NPs are great, most of the nurses have a great sense of teamwork. As far as the techs go, some are great, and some I can never find. If I have to hunt you down to ask you to do something, I could have done it already myself at that point... I want to make sure that I do a good job and carry my weight. So far, I feel that I have acclimated to the charting system and have a pretty good handle on prioritization of care. Last night one of our patients had BPs in the 60/40 range and my preceptor and I spent alot of time in that room. I was not freaked out about this since I have worked in pacu with ICU patients. Obviously, this patient became our priority and the others had to sit until we could stabilize her. When it was time for lunch relief, I asked if our relief could go give another lunch first, I wanted to get caught up on charting and VS for the others. She did. I didnt like leaving things undone. Maybe I am spending too much time worrying about things that are not important? Before I call report on a patient I also like to take a few minutes to review any abnormal labs, any pertinent history outside of the reason for visit... So far my preceptor hasnt provided any negative feedback other than maybe I should try to spend less time with my patients so I wont feel behind at times. Another thing I am adjusting to is that the flow of the area makes no sense. The supplies are not kept near the med room, so to start an infusion you have to go to two totally different places for supplies... and then to a totally out of the way closet for a pump . Oh yeah and there are few supplies in the rooms unless they are trauma rooms.. I am just looking for tips that might help me not feel behind ( if possible ) How do you manage your work flow? I know that it is situationally dependent, but how much time is an acceptable time lapse from the time a patient gets into the exam room until you get in to meet them? Any tips that can help me acclimate would be great! thanks

sounds like a great opportunity if you are interested in surgery. You will probably be asked about your IV skills, ability to function well independently, to name a few things. In my experiences, physician owned ASCs (amb surg ctrs) can be a good place to work as they usually treat their staff well but the pay may not be high. These places tend to run pretty lean on staffing and you are expected to work hard. There may be a bonus if to employees at the end of the year if the center does well, so it usually behooves you to keep an eye on their bottom line and not be wasteful with resources. You will probably be required to obtain your ACLS certification as well. good luck, sounds like a good oppty!

This looks like a great program. I have been thinking about completing an MSN-NP program but was worried about the cost. thanks for the info.

I have made the decision that I am genuinely tired of babysitting all those who report to me. Fortunately for me, I have maintained my bedside skills since I am a " working manager" who pitches in wherever needed (which is common since we are always short staffed.) I want to go back to the bedside, am almost ready to take the leap. My kids are grown and by the time I have grandkids, I want to be able to spend time with them. Not at my thankless job which I work 50hrs a week. I realize that I will be taking a huge leap of faith by doing this since I will lose a good chunk of money. Has anyone done this? OR are you considering doing this? I dont' want to look back on my life and say I wish I had more time....

missladyrn- why did you leave floor nursing anyway? I actually have been away fron floor nursing for over 10 years. I went into outpatient OR, and then management. I am going back to the floor myself. I imagine a 6 week orientation....

merlee you were fired? 9 weeks later? are you kidding? what the heck happened? btw _ I met with my boss today to discuss our conversation Wednesday. I told him that I wasn't comfortalbe changing my mind, and that it wouldnt be fair to the company if I was to come back and have the same conversation again in 6 months. Kind of the break up story- it's not you it's me, but I said it's not the company, it's me and where I am in my life right now... He asked could I give it 6 more months so that they could replace me? He finally left it with think about it over the weekend. Give them time to replace me..... Hmm

After being in a job that I hate for two years, and searching for a new job for almost two years, I was recently offered a 7a-7p job in L & D. I accepted. Since I am a manager, I had to turn in a 30 day notice at my current job. Of course my current employer was not happy with my decision to leave. I have two bosses, a business manager and a nursing manager. My nursing manager was understanding as I stated that I wanted to have a better life balance than my current 50 hr work week. My business manager met with me yesterday and we discussed my decision. I explained to him that I don't like babysitting people and that I am bored in my role. He asked me if I were to have more projects, would I be happier and stay? I agreed. I lost a lot sleep last night because I reflected back on the conversation and felt pressured to stay, although I was looking forward to my new job. I have been very anxious about the decision over the last two weeks because I am taking a cut in pay. If it wasnt for the cut in pay I would jump on the new job. So when he approached me yesterday to discuss, I hesitated and verbally agreed. Now I regret that conversation with him. I have not rescinded my resignation yet, and really don't want to. Any thoughts on how to address with my boss?

sound of music, you must work where I am!They are mandating flu shots for us too. I am a manager so I get harassed with emails telling me which of my staff are not compliant with the flu shots yet. I can't break peoples arms to get them done, nor do I believe harassing them or their manager is very effective. I don't agree with many of the practices of administration- so I am getting out of management. At least if I keep my patients safe, then I have done something good. :)

how many years of experience do you have? could you consider taking a travel assignment in med/surg just to get outta there quickly? BTW, I am a nurse manager and although I wouldn't treat my staff like this, I can tell you that most human resources policies state that the shift hours ( 8, 10, etc) and start times can be changed to meet the needs of the unit/patients. This basically means that there is no guarantee even if you had it in writing that you would work a 10 hr shift and or set days. Good luck- I sure hope it gets better. That is a dangerous scenario that you are putting yourself and your patients in. Maybe you need to call in sick when you have worked that many hours.

Congrats!!! i am in the process of leaving a management position to return to L&D where I started my nursing career years ago. What an exciting time for you!

actually No. I left corporate because I felt that nursing was a steady job always in demand. Now that I have moved up, I wish I would not have. I miss the direct patient contact and the flexibility staff nursing can give as compared to my 50 hr work weeks now.

I have an MBA and it has helped me to advance. Most director level positions will not hire you without a masters degree, so it depends on what level of management you are looking for. I also worked in corporate before becoming a nurse....

Great tips I think it is very important to help your coworkers when you have down time. You never know when you will need the help reciprocated. refrain from spreading gossip/negativity Be on time- don't call out unless you are really sick! Try to explain things to your patients as you perform them. We often forget that our patients don't always understand what is being done to them. treat your patients the way you want to be treated.

Welcome 1. Be respectful of everyone- nurses, techs, housekeepers, your patients and their families. 2. Don't lose the human touch aspect. It is very easy to forget that your patients are someone's mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. 3. Remember that it's okay to have a bad day and not be yourself. Just don't forget to apologize if you have one and take it out on the nurses or others. 4. Build relationships with the nurses, you will come to trust their judgement once you have built a rapport. Be kind, learn and grow as a professional. Communicate clearly and frequently.

We are all nurses. We should band together and support each other regardless of what area we work in. We have all made the choice to work where we do. The rivalry, paired with eating our young, causes all the tension that is unnecessary. Someone has to do the areas we each find unglamourous- so let's just support each other and realize that everyone has their own battles where they work!!

I did speak to an anesthesiologist who brings a lot of patients to that floor. She stated that she thought the new director was letting go of some of the lazier people. She also said it was a tough floor but the kind that will make you a nurse that can work "anywhere". People for the most part (especially on nights) seemed to keep to themselves with the exception of one or two. Good questions about time off and other things like that to ask the director.

I am interested in transferring to a SICU at the hospital where I work after having been in management away from the bedside for a few years. I spent a couple of hours shadowing on the day shift, and the night shift to get a better idea of the suitability of the unit. Both nurses that I shadowed seemed to really like their job and were very welcoming. I like the complexity of the patients and had a good shadowing experience both times. What worries me is that they currently have 6 open night positions. Both staff members I shadowed (one day and one night), are both leaving in a month. I also overheard someone else state they were leaving. None of the staff members who are leaving bad mouthed the department, they appear to have personal situations that are changing. I realize that this is a high stress, high burn out area as these are the sickest patients in the hospital. I didn't get a huge sense of camaraderie on the unit- I don't know if that is the issue. they have a new director- not sure if that's the issue either? I am concerned about who will be left to orient the new people coming on if everyone is leaving? I am assuming they will have to backfill with travelers until they are fully staffed. I did inquire with the director as to why they had so many openings and she indicated that many are leaving due to acceptance into CRNA school, or for family relocation needs. I just don't know if I should entirely believe that? Thoughts?