ec2703

Hi...I am a Med Surg nurse with two years experience who may be relocating to Oahu. Can anyone give me an idea of what kind of salary I might expect, as well as the job climate. I love my job, am passionate, and will take a step down, but I just want to know what's up. Thanks so much!

How about Allergras? They are comfy and cushy, as well as bright and fun!

Great support here, so nice to read this kind of a post (not nice for RNRichi, but I'll bet even she is feeling a lot better.) The worst part (I think) of being a nurse, well, a new nurse, is that we are hard on ourselves, lose confidence, and then the bottom feeders (those who eat their young) smell blood and swoop in. I'm not sure why the profession attacts that kind of person, but it does. I think the most important advice you could take is to stick it out, don't take ANY of it as a sign that you are sub par. You are learning, and in spite of Ms. Nasty Pants (har!) that is what we like to call the LEARNING CURVE, Jack*ss... You are earning your stripes and I totally agree: You hack out a year there and you will get a much better position. And knowing what you know now, you'll never treat another nurse in such a demeaning way.

Excellent answer, thanks for taking the time to do so!

Hey...I just realized that I think this is my first post on this site; but I read and post to others all the time. OK, here's the situation, I have about 1.5 years experience, mostly Med Surg, but hardly a veteran. I recently accepted a position at a large hospital in Tampa as a Nursing Coach. Our hospital has a Nurse Residency program, where the new grad is hired, and does a six-week stint on a Med Surg floor (mine) doing course/seminar work at the same time, never going off on her own, under my constant tutelage, until she's finished her six weeks and goes off to whatever floor she chooses to go to. (Does that sound sweet or what? I would have loved that opportunity as a new grad, but, no matter...) During my interview, I asked, "What support/resources are available to me to ensure that I succeed in this role?" Of course, this was after I sold myself and my former teaching qualifications (which were all BA related and years ago). They admitted that there wasn't anything in place as such and that I would basically be following along with the student and reading her/his assigned materials on my own time, which is absolutely no problem for me, but I was wondering whether anyone might have more suggestions, in a more structured, detailed format that might be helpful. thanks in advance!

Great advice!!!

All of these comments contain some great advice, primarily: Do what you feel is safe, and go at the speed you think is safe, period. Don't let someone intimidate you into going faster than what you are comfortable with. When we try and rush THAT'S when we make mistakes, I do anyway. I just quit a job where my preceptor was golden, after six weeks I felt like I loved the place, but when reality struck it was a whole other story. I had trouble keeping up and made the mistake of voicing that to another nurse who swooped on me like a vulture. She proceeded to tear down my preceptor's methods and from that day on, she became my preceptor and it was hell. I made mistake after mistake, things I wouldn't have done otherwise but she had me so flustered. When people say things like, "you'll never make it around here," blah blah blah, be suspicious. My preceptor, who has been a nurse for over twenty five years never said such a thing. Why would this woman? I'll tell you why, she was a bully. I quit because I was still on probation, technically, but she did make me feel like I couldn't do the job. Your post caught my eye because I am starting at a LTC next week, where I've been hired as a charge. I do have two years' experience in Med Surg, so I don't feel totally freaked out, but it's a little worrisome, nevertheless. In any case, I plan on using my past experiences of how to NOT handle abuse (similar to what your reaction was, unfortunately) and hold my head up. We are BSN RNs and worth something; we just have to stay the course. Good Luck!

Funneeeeeeee!!!!

I hope it matters in that I'm seen as a nurse with intellect, physical stamina and a heart/mind/wisdom that I've EARNED in these 51 years on earth (I'll be 52 when I finish my BS/RN). Nursing was something I've always wanted to do; and even though I graduated with honors at 40, with a BA in English, I didn't have the guts, then, to pursue my BSN. Finally, I woke up, as in, "What do you REALLY want to do with the rest of your life; the answer was obvious!" I know I have to earn my respect, just as anyone else does; we'll see how much my age matters when I get on the job. I'll keep you posted! Great thread by the way, and power to those of us with the guts to go for what we want, in spite of what others might think. :redbeathe

I was accepted into the program with a 3.6, and believe me, I was sweating it! I would definitely just wait to hear; you could well be accepted this fall. And if so, then I'm excited to meet you! All the best!