vlh2001

Hello all, and thanks for reading, I am an RN with about 1.5 yrs exp in medical stepdown unit in a large teaching hospital. I am at a crossroads in terms of where to go next. I have to say that thus far my experiences in nursing thus far has been overall a negative one. I am very grateful for my job, grateful for the skills that I have obtained, however, where I am is not where I want to be, I felt it in my gut since day one on my floor, and I think I have have given it enough time to know that this is just not for me. Problem is, I really want to learn more, I have an interest in higher level of care, and I also have interests in public health, and working with the public mostly in a teaching aspect. So, I may have an opportunity to work in our MICU, and it interests me, but I am also scared to death taking a leap forward. Before working in an outpatient type setting, I'm wondering if MICU experience would be a better move to make... I do not want to leave the hospital setting without giving higher level care a shot, but I guess my concern is going to another unit, nonetheless a critical one, and failing. Any input?

Hello, I am also a new grad who just started working in a big NYC hospital. Im in my last week of orientation and I also feel exactly what you feel when you describe "impending doom". Every day right before work my anxiety level sky rockets. On my days off, I feel as though I cant totally relax because I'm stressing about how stressed I'm going to be on my next day at work. However, I believe that in time with proper support those feelings will get better. Now, in your situation, with 9 patients, that's insane. Your still transitioning from student to practicing RN. Being able to handle 9 patients vs. 6 doesn't make you a better nurse. Always remember that you have a license to protect, a license that I'm sure you worked hard for. My full assignment is 6 patients and I sometimes feel like I'm going to pull my hair out. Right now you need support from your fellow nurses and your institution. I would start looking elsewhere if you feel that yor not being supported. Don't get me wrong, I feel that sometimes learning under fire is necessary for you to grow and develop confidence. But what your describing to me doesn't sound safe. Hang in there sweets...

Hello all! I hope my fellow nurses can give me some advice here. I've been an allnurses member for a little while, so I routinely come here to see how my fellow new grads/seasoned nurses are doing. In this job market, I also got some advice to relocate if possible. So...I did. I drove 250 miles away from home for a job interview and got a job offer. Problem is, I'm not sure if I am able to take the job. Reason being, the position that was offered to me is a part time position with full time benefits. Full time benefits is a plus, and there may be room for full time hours but of course, that is no guarantee. Its kinda of a heart wrenching situation because the unit is what I requested (med-surg/telemetry) and I know that I will learn a whole lot but for 1-2 years I will literally have to apply for forbearence on my student loans and live check to check. Living check to check is not necessarily something that I wouldn't do (of course) but other people such as friends and family advise me to wait it out and see if something closer to home will open up. 2nd issue: I recently went on a second interview for another position closer to home, and more money, but this is a private doctors office (IVF fertility center). I think that this is really an interesting part of womens health, but I am not sure if this is the best choice for me to make as a new graduate RN. The office has 6 other nurses, so its not like it would be a situation where I would be the only RN, so that means I will have resources. If I were to get a job offer, is it ok for me to take on a doctor office position as my first job?? Will it hurt my chances of getting a hospital job in the future?? Thanks so much for reading! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

hey rn0001, just wanted to know if you ever got the position!

That was absolutley awesome!!! Thank You very much for your enthusiasm and hope. I am also a new grad looking for work, and your post truly was uplifting...good luck in your new career I am positive you will be wonderful

Guiltysins, I agree with all of your posters, forget about what everyone else is doing and worry about yourself. You sound like a responsible student, and thats awesome, and I have confidence that you will do great in the nursing program. The only thing to just keep in mind is to not completely lose yourself in the books. Make sure that throughout your semesters, you have "you" time. Everyone is different and blows steam in many ways, and it is true, you will come across people that take school for granted and always seem to pull great grades, but to each is own...you will find other students that are similiar to you in terms of "ethic" when it comes to studying and responsibilites as a nursing student. These will be the people that you stick by :)

well, I go to LIU, nice to see that we are up there.... no wonder why they are kicking our butts!!!!!!

I am at the end of my first semester of nursing at LIU. I have to say that the semester so far is okay, however, I have to agree with some other posts, that there is some improvement that needs to be done with the program. I feel the integrity of the program is questionable when they accept over 100 students for every semester knowing that ONLY about half of the class is eventually going to fail. I feel its a way to get 13k a pop from students, and its not right. There is a reason why other nursing programs are competitive and only accept maybe 50 students--more than likely, 50 students will graduate. I have learned early on, that there are some proff. that want to help, and others let you know that you have to do for yourself because that is the nature of this program. There is no compromise in this program, passing is a 76.45, and I have seen someone fail for .02 of a point---- whats that about? So, would I recommend LIU? Depends on your level of independence, because you WILL have to do alot of learning on your own. It is doable, but you have to play your cards right in this program.