nursemimi08

I really admire the discipline that I see in RN's who have been able to train for triathalons and marathons. I know it can be done. But how?!! Prior to becoming a nurse, I had a normal schedule so I was able to workout almost daily, either before/after work, and still have time for a social life. If I were training for a race, I would have less free time, but I was able to schedule it into my day. Now... it is all a different story. I am just too tired... (Or am I a wimp?! Or getting old?!) Shift work is just havoc on my life and my health. I am thinking about working all nights at some point, just so I can have some regularity. I definitely haul myself off to the gym on my days off (at best, that's only 4 days/week), but even then, I feel like the quality of my workouts has diminished, like I'm only putting in 75% of my effort. My former workouts: 30-45 min cardio, 15-20 min stretching/ ab work, 30 min strength training. I would do back/biceps one day, triceps/shoulders another day, skip legs altogether. This whole process takes 1 hr, 15 min at a minimum, not to mention travel time to/from gym, and time for a shower. Obviously, this is not going to be feasible after working at 12+ hour shift, especially when I have to go back the next day/night. Any recommendations? Those of you have done an endurance race, what's your training schedule? I'm trying to fight the weight gain. I've already put on 5 pounds, not to mention the muscle mass that I have lost.

Hmm... I'm actually interested in working in the ICU at some point and thought that an ICU at a community hospital would be a good place to start. I just haven't seen any ICU openings, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for it yet. Any suggestions for other areas of the hospital? I don't have my heart set on any particular unit since a great work environment, great people matter more to me.

I really admire the discipline that I see in RN's who have been able to train for triathalons and marathons. I know it can be done. But how?!! Prior to becoming a nurse, I had a normal schedule so I was able to workout almost daily, either before/after work, and still have time for a social life. If I were training for a race, I would have less free time, but I was able to schedule it into my day. Now... it is all a different story. I am just too tired... (Or am I a wimp?! Or getting old?!) Shift work is just havoc on my life and my health. I am thinking about working all nights at some point, just so I can have some regularity. I definitely haul myself off to the gym on my days off (at best, that's only 4 days/week), but even then, I feel like the quality of my workouts has diminished, like I'm only putting in 75% of my effort. My former workouts: 30-45 min cardio, 15-20 min stretching/ ab work, 30 min strength training. I would do back/biceps one day, triceps/shoulders another day, skip legs altogether. This whole process takes 1 hr, 15 min at a minimum, not to mention travel time to/from gym, and time for a shower. Obviously, this is not going to be feasible after working at 12+ hour shift, especially when I have to go back the next day/night. Any recommendations? Those of you have done an endurance race, what's your training schedule? I'm trying to fight the weight gain. I've already put on 5 pounds, not to mention the muscle mass that I have lost.

Have you thought about cardiac rehab? It's the target population that would most benefit from an RN personal trainer. I often see these patients working with physical therapy and occupational therapy, which is great after major cardiac surgery, stroke, etc., but what they really need is a lifestyle adjustment. I am not a personal trainer, but I have a general interest in health and wellness, like most nurses, I'm guessing. :) I wish I were in a capacity to see these patients in a longer term setting since I get such fulfillment when I'm able to offer some advice that will help enrich their life. Good luck!

Thank you all for your advice! I am still mulling this over in my mind...

Thanks for the advice! I've seen a lot of openings lately- is there a reason for all of this? Does Virginia Hospital Center typically have a high turnover? How is the administration? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe there is a union in place. Do you feel that it is necessary? Are nurses treated fairly in scheduling? Is it a punitive environment or do you feel pressured to be the "perfect" nurse?

I'm getting burned out at work and having been quietly researching some of my other options. I have thought about going into cosmetic surgery as an office supervisor. Would this be a waste of my experience? I am the type of person that would want to stay in a position for at least a year. I am afraid that if I take the position that my skills as a bedside RN would atrophy. I want to consider going back to hospital nursing one day, but just not right now due to my personal life. Would spending a couple of years in an office setting make me less hirable in the future? The cosmetic surgery position appeals to me because it pays pretty well, the hours are during the day, and obviously, patient acuity is not so much a concern. What are your thoughts? As a hiring manager, how would you view a candidate that took some time off to work in an office setting and wanted to re-enter bedside nursing?

Do you have a car? It will make a big difference in getting around, and where you live. The ACE program is very time consuming and exhausting so you're not going to want to spend most of your time getting to/from class, buying groceries, etc. Throughout my moves, I've always used the Not For Tourists Guides. NFT is great for pointing out the personalities of each of the neighborhoods, mapping out public transporation options. The guides are broken down by neighborhood, with detailed maps of the streets, locations of coffee shops/ wifi/ groceries/ other things that are important. East Falls is an affordable option, lacking in charm/character, but it's close to a Septa stop. Other options: West Philly, Graduate Hospital. It really depends on what you're looking for and having a car makes a big difference. I would say Drexel is very accessible by car from any point, there are plenty of affordable options within a 20-30 min drive. If you need roommates, craigslist is fantastic. You can also try looking at some of the bulletin boards on campus.

Has anyone worked at Virginia Hospital Center and is willing to comment on their work environment? What kind of benefits do they offer, especially in terms of tuition reimbursement? I'm quietly exploring options for the future. Thanks!

Can anyone tell me which hospitals in the DC area have a union? Does George Washington Hospital have a union? Do you think it makes a difference?

Thanks for the info! I still haven't submitted an application to them just yet. I want to explore other options. What are your plans? Are you going to stay in the DC area or are you going to go back up to New York? I also have almost a year's experience and I want to make a move. I'm getting discouraged with the economy and I feel like I'm stuck- not an entirely new grad, but not an experienced RN either.

Are there other new RNs out there working in LTC that feel stuck?! I also need to vent and I'm about to pull my hair out! I am over worked with 25+ patients, 10+ rehab patients (on vents/post-surgical/stroke), and not enough CNAs. I'm scare I'm going to lose my license and I can't find a job in a hospital. HELP! Does anyone else feel this way?! I'm getting no support from the other LPNs who scorn me because they think that I am taking a job away from "one of their own." I don't respect my manager because she may be an RN and my manager, but she's never had any hospital experience and there has been more than one occasion when she couldn't recognize the patient's symptoms as being problematic. The only upside of the situation is that I get paid decently well- $25/hr. I'm at a loss since the job market is so difficult.

Yikes! I was thinking of applying there... Are they hiring at this point? If there is only one med/surg floor on the hospital, what are the other floors? Anyone else have some insight into GWUH?

What's the expected salary for a GN in the Philly and/or Washington, D.C. area?