MaleRNin2010

Hello! I had a question for some more experienced nurses in a hospital setting. First my background; I am finishing up my first year of "med-surg," I am getting semi-comfortable on my floor, I am familiar with my routine, I am able to time manage, prioritize, and help fellow nurses who are behind. By no means am I an expert, I would say I am transitioning from beginner to novice. I have BLS, ACLS, and plan on getting PALS. I currently work another full-time job outside of the hospital where I have been for about 10+ years. I have the utmost respect for nurses, but have always viewed nursing as my second career. I currently work two full time jobs, and it is taking its toll on me. I love nursing, however I want to cut down my hours to Part Time, and am thinking I would like to leave med-surg. Some other units that do interest me are OR, ER (although I will be honest here, I am very intimidated by the ER), PACU, or any unit where I can maybe work with one patient at a time. What has motivated me to move off med-surg is politics, mandatory excessive charting (IMO, on mundane details), and typical med-surg complaints i.e. c/o food, location of room, roommates, etc. I do enjoy nursing, but I have learned that med-surg is NOT for me. My question is, Would a specialized unit be willing to train me to work only Part Time? Or am I going to have to give them a commitment of FT then transition to PT? Has anyone else been in my position with nursing as a second career?

It is really horrible that many of us are in this position. In my situation it seems as if I can't get past the HR people. When I was doing clinicals on units, the managers seemed to be interested in me. I am in my 30s and even with my background, it seems as most of the young HR "recruiters" just toss me aside. It is frustrating, but I am glad I have my other career. I can only imagine the people in my situation with an exorbitant amount of loans to pay back with no job. People often tell me, get your BSN, apply for jobs in LTC, etc etc. I do plan on obtaining, a BSN in the future. However, having a mortgage, family and another career, I cannot take on any more loans, and I do not qualify for much if any financial Aide. I have applied to every LTC/skilled nursing facility in the area as well. Thank for letting me vent, best of luck to everyone else in the job hunt.

Hello all, I have a question about the current job market in NY (in regards to RNs). Every hospital position and most LTC/Rehab RN positions are REQUIRING experience. Are there really enough experienced RNs out of work to fill the demand??? Its obvious we have an abundance of new grad nurses who cannot gain the experience due to the strict requirements. At some point wont agencies have to start investing in the future generation of nurses? Personally I have over 6 years experience in Emergency Services, specifically as a professional Firefighter/EMT. I went back to school while working to gain my Associates Degree. I am now a licensed RN with technically no experience. Like many, I have applied to all hospitals and agencies within an hour and a half radius of me. I have not even been lucky enough to have one interview. I cannot leave the area, due to my other career and family who is rooted here. The situation NY is in cannot go on forever, can it?

I have also graduated in May and take the NCLEX on Sept. 24. I was an A student in school and studied nearly everyday. Ever since graduating I have barely studied. I started last week doing practice Q's and very little content review. I have been taking practice tests and average a score of 65. I too am very nervous. So you are def not alone! Good luck!

Thanks for the advice/ words of encouragement. Ever since graduating I was taking care of projects I put off while in school. I have several review books, and I have my old NCLEX 3500 software. I figure I am going to start out with the review books. I wanted to ask one more question; how long did it take for you to receive your ATT? I paid and sent everything in July 17th, and still no ATT.

Am I crazy for waiting this long!? In school they told us the earlier you schedule the better. I am so nervous to have waited this long. I had mostly A's in Nursing school, and at the time had a good understanding of the material. I feel like I have forgotten so much since graduating. Now anxiety is getting the better of me. Can anyone recommend a study schedule or suggestions for someone in my situation. Thank You!

I would of answered A. The newborn can lose heat via: evaporation, conduction, convection, and radiation.

I have a few questions for the paid guys (IAFF). How does you local feel about you being an RN? How about the guys you work with? Your bosses? Is there ever any problems with scheduling or being held over? What about your retirement? Will you retire ASAP or stay on? Thanks

Sand Dollar, Like I attempted to disclaim. I do not know your situation. Obviously you are more in tune to your life and surroundings. I was merely responding to the subjective data that you provided. I would advise anyone reading this to reread the first post and notice the difference in the paragraphs. Of course I wish you the best, and validate all of your frustration as I am experiencing the same frustrations that you, and the thousands of nursing students who have gone down these roads before us have. And I even laughed to myself while typing my response knowing full well that I am so psych oriented right now. Please have mercy on me for I am also in a whirlwind of nursing diagnoses, interventions, and theories as well. :)

Sounds kind of borderline to me... I am studying psych, so this could just be where my mind is. I obviously do not know your situation. But reading those two paragraphs, the man you describe sounds like two different people. Who wouldn't love the spouse in the 2nd paragraph. Sounds like the "honeymoon" stage of abuse. Just my thoughts as again I do not know your situation.

I will turn 30 on or around the day I finish my ADN program. If I plan to go on to BSN, then I will be 32.

Hi, I am a 28 year old male. I am in my second semester of an ADN program. I work a full time job. My job is extremely flexible. I have no degree but a lot of credits from several schools. I think when I was younger I did not have the motivation I do now. I received all A's my first semester of nursing school. My first test this semester I received a B and was upset. I study a lot and stay on top of my reading as well as actively engage in the lectures. You can do it! its a lot of work. Good luck!

I see a lot of people stressing over their first semester in NS, I am too. I have just recently found out that study groups really help. Unfortunately, they do not meet often. I have my second test tomorrow, I am pretty stressed out about it. I could of studied all day and tried to cram and stress myself out, instead I studied a good amount, and am just trying to relax now. The hardiest part for me is switching study habits, in fundamentals you cannot study the way you do for other classes. GL!

At first when I read the post, I was a little angry. Feeling the same way most of you feel. This is evidenced by my initial post on page 1 or 2. It is easy to jump down the Ops throat as we have. I think everyone should take one deep breath, and cool down. The op has decided to share her frustration with NS, as many of us have done before. We should offer her words of encouragement, and support. True, maybe the op should of held back some of her feelings, or posted them on a J.D. forum. I seriously doubt the op will post again if the lynch mob is unleashed, and she is probably feeling worse.

I do not know the poster, and hope I do not offend you. Just from reading your post you do sound like you have a "holier then thou" attitude. Again I am not trying to offend you as this is just my opinion. Also, What exactly do you mean by blue collar-ish? I would view all nurses to be blue collar workers. I did not go to law school as you did, however I worked hard on all my pre-reqs and received A's. There were students in my classes with MBAs and other masters degrees, even in biology that I far surpassed. Also I am a career firefighter going to school. I am not going to disclose my salary, but I can assure you I make more then almost everyone in the program including the instructors. I guess I am just trying to say don't judge a book by its cover. Maybe the way you hold yourself is intimidating to most students who probably do not have a degree and are young. Also I would imagine that being a nurse you will most likely be dealing with people far less educated, or not of your social status. Being able to relate to the patient, as we have learned is a vital characteristic to have. I know in my class there are many types of people. Some seem highly intelligent, some seem not so much. I do not pass judgment and am sure I am judged by others in a way that does not represent me. Good luck in school, I hope you are able to relate more to your classmates since they will be with you for the rest of the way, and again I hope I did not offend you, as well as provide you with a stimulating conversation :)