Nickat

I have also left the ICU for the PACU at a larger trauma hospital in my city. In my experience, this job is still challenging but in a whole different way. We see a large variety of surgical patients from many different specialties and you need to know what to look for with each one. During the day, we have to move quick as the flow of patients picks up. The PACU is less physically demanding which is a definite plus for me! I do miss the ICU in that I miss that connection with my patients after caring for them for 8+ hours. What could it hurt to give it a try? If things don't work out for you in the PACU I'm sure there is an ICU waiting for you!

I'm thankful for finally getting into nursing school, for my good health, for my most supportive boyfriend, and for both of our families that love us so much. I hope you all had a nice Easter and took time to remember it's true meaning. He is risen! Happy Easter everyone!

I feel sick :barf01:

I myself have a soft spot in my heart for the VA. ^ I'd like to get into oncology, maybe a cardiac or neuro ICU/stepdown or even hospice. But when it comes time to graduate, I don't think I'd be picky. I'd be thankful to be offered a job with the way this economy is headed.

My grandfather (in my eyes, my father) battled cancer for over 2 years before it took his life. I had gone to many a chemo treatments with him down at the VA. Spending the afternoon on the onc unit with his "girls" (as he called them) was truly a highlight of each week for him. They never hestitated to sit down and chat with us, to take general interest in his life or to even remind him that he was not alone. You guys are such an inspiration and I hope I am able to become just like you. Thanks for all you do for all of your patients and their families, each of you are a blessing. :) God Bless!

I'm currently a nursing student and honestly your story gave me alot to think about. I've worked on a unit that was way harsh on their newbies before and it's awful the way "old" nurses treat their "new" nurses. You're completely right, you can't learn experience in nursing school. If nobody is going to give you the chance to see and learn, then how would you have "known this by now." I'm sorry that happened to you and I hope you gained confidence and will benefit from those experiences. You made the right decision, best of luck with your new unit.

I'm currently a full time student at Shadyside. I just started but so far I really like the program. All of the instructors are great and they really will do anything to help you succeed. They get right into the depths of nursing and all the different aspects of it. Right now I have one full day off, 2 half days and 2 full days, and we balance that between the SoN and Chatham university. Our schedule looks to have 2 sciences and 2 nursing courses per semester for the first year. Full time, you will start clinicals in your second semester. One thing I don't like though, we attend Chatham university (a few blocks away from the SoN) for all non-nursing courses and it can become stressful because there is one shuttle that runs between the schools and your not allowed to park at Chatham so you have to make sure you get a long enough meter to park at back at Shadyside. So if you have your sciences done already, your schedule might not be as hectic. A year or so ago I applied at Mercy's program and was put on hold because they didn't have enough instructors (or so they say). I can say their entrance exam was a little tougher than Shadyside's. A friend of mine had gone through Mercy's program and loved it. It's a pretty large hospital so you do most clinicals at Mercy alone. I'm not sure how they are with pre-reqs though. But either way, they are both great programs with high passing rates. Good luck on whatever path you may take! :nuke: