IPrepU

when i was a student i really wanted to work in pediatrics but was told i couldn't get there until i did med/surg first. i did however, know right away! that psych nursing was not for me!! hats off to those who are psych nurses though. [color=#556b2f]shortly after becomming a surgical rn i became the pediatric lead. so even though i didn't get to the pediatric floor i still get to fulfill my love for peds in the or. [color=#556b2f]while you are in the program you'll find the area that feels right. [color=#556b2f]we all, one way or another, find our niche.

as an adn for the past 13+ years, i'm sorry that you are having such a hard time. and not to start a controversy, but, one of the best nurses i learned from as a student was an lpn.

Hmmm, brings up a story. I was working in an outpatient surgery center. The city notified us that there had been an issue with one of the water lines to the facility. As you know, the last cycle of Steris is rinsing. Steris was contacted and could not guarantee that the filter in place would be adequate. The facility decided not to take a chance and closed for the day. I guess my point is, if the final stage is rinsing with city/town/etc. water, then exactly "how sterile" is the equipment in the Steris?

Good question. I am in the process of RNFA right now. My first response is that I should have done it sooner. I am not working full-time in any one hospital right now so I am having a very hard time getting into ORs to get my clinical time in. Even though the OR staffs know me I still have to go through the Admin. staff who don't. Plus, I am seeing alot more PA's coming into the OR. Unfortunately very few have had any OR training, which (in my opinion) should be mandatory. I think depending on which state you are in, RNFA can be very lucrative. I recently worked with a travel nurse from New York who is an RNFA. She told me that she made anywhere from $400-$600 for a simple Lap Chole. Now, if you work with a surgeon who can do a Lap Chole in an hour (or less), then that is definetely Good $$.

I was Pediatric Lead in a level one Hospital for 5.5 years. I think the question deserves multiple answers depending on the age of the child. For infants often the Anesthesiologist would cradle on his/her lap one arm around, the other holding the mask. Children 1yr to 3yr (depending on the size and weight of the child) I like the blanket method. And 3yr to 6yr (again depending on size/weight) usually I would place arms at their sides and lean over their torso holding them by their shoulders. I myself am not a very tall nor large person, but it usually worked well and did no harm. I think letting the parent(s) in for induction is not a great idea. Anyone who deals with children and parents in the OR setting usually will agree that it's not the children that they have to worry about, it's the parent(s). My personal feeling is that is stresses the parent(s). I'm sure others will disagree, but then, that's what opinions are for.

I started my RN career in Med/Surg and now, as a Surgical RN, I am glad I did. The skills you learn and knowledge base you get will only enhance your capabilities in any other field of nursing. I'm not saying it was easy, and at the time when I graduated you almost had to do Med/Surg first. Specialty areas woudn't let you in without it. Now, with nursing shortages, it's easier for new grads to get in those areas I couldn't as a new grad. I think though, if you give yourself at least one year in Med/Surg you'll find working in a specialty area less stressful. Good luck in your decision!