CoachBarbara

HI Beccarner: I just read your post and I honestly do not have an answer for you. I do have lots of questions: what would you want to tell teens re your experience? Are there other topics besides drugs/pregnancies you'd like to include? I think it would be fun to have a teleconference call for all nurses interested in branching out on their own to brainstorm and share. It's so hard to be all alone and make it happen---things start to come together in groups. what do you think of that idea? If you like it, how do we mobilize others to join us? I'm of the philosophy the more the better. Please give me your thoughts on this. barbara

I'd love to hear an update re the refresher course. I have a friend who is considering it, but keeps going back and forth about it. Any current info would be welcome. I'm curious. What medical device did you sell? What made you want to go back to traditional nursing?

I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for. Do you want information about ideas for starting a business, how to set up a business or how to go about marketing a business? There are so many different resources available, one could get overwhelmed by the volume. I always thought I'd hate business because I once took a business course and hated it. My nursing career then led me to work in a Healthcare Information Company--and I discovered I loved certain aspects of the business world (mostly marketing and training others). My world then opened up to other possibilities for me---and I've become involved with a home-based business that combines my health care background and my love of teaching. I would recommend you start to identify what is it about a business that attacts you? And identifying what you love to do that you'd find energizing if you could do that all day long. I've noticed the most successful nursepreneurs are those that are doing something they love to do. If you get into a business that "sounds" like it could be profitable but your heart is truly not behind your decision--the business will always be work, another job plus the added pressure to make it profitable. I wish you the best in your exploration. Please feel free to contact me if you'd ever like to brainstorm. Barbara

Hi April: I'm sorry I do not have any direct knowledge to offer you. However, I would suggest calling some aesthetic nurses employed in settings you are interested in working. Ask them for advice. You may get a feel for your local market.

In your post, you talked about what was happening around you. What were YOU experiencing? Did you look forward to going to work? Did you leave the unit feeling energized, knowing you are living the life you were meant to do? I challenge you to look deep into your heart for these answers. I certainly emphasize with your loss-it truly is a blow to your confidence as a new RN. It also sounds like your intuition was picking up some vibes re your status. If this was a setting with lots of turnover, this truly may be a gift for you. Whenever we are challenged, hurt or unsettled about something, it helps to try to look at other perspectives on the topic. Think of 2-3 other perspectives re losing your job. (i.e. What would the "I'm free to create a new me" perspective look like?) Try each one on and see what it feels like. How we respond to any given situation is totally our choice. Once you are over the shock, this may help you take your next step. I wish you all the best in your career......

There's a great book out that helps others get out of their heads. It's called Taming Your Gremlins (can't remember author). You might enjoy it given your interest in this area. Lots of exercises to help the reader become aware of what's holding them back. Everyone has gremlins--it's a matter of becoming aware of them and choosing to not let them control your life. It sounds like you are on the right path--:nuke:

I commend your openness and honesty on this forum. I encourage you to keep pursuing this avenue and not be afraid it will bring you down. Depression is not like an infectious disease. From everything you've written, it seems like this gift of connecting to people on a deep, meaningful level will feed your soul, not bring you down. Many people struggle to identify what fuels their passion--you already know. Now you just need to listen to your gut, not your head that is telling you "what if" stories. The world needs you to give your true gift and passion to others. I can only think of what lucky future psych patients to have a nurse like you who really cares and connects with them. Best of luck in your search!

You have my empathy!!! One thing that helped me find friends in new cities was to volunteer. It gets you out and you meet new people. I'm sure Chicago has many avenues for you to explore. Many times, when you start to focus on others and give of yourself, your mind forgets to tell you how miserable you are. Best of luck getting through a very fierce winter in Chicago!!

I noticed this is an older post, but it really tugged at my heartstrings. I am a nurse whose son was diagnosed with Type 1 at age 11. He is now 17 yrs old and is for the most part doing well, but is challenged to keep his routine as a teenager. There are 2 resources I would recommend for you. Get in touch with the juvenile diabetes research foundation (JRDF.org, I believe). they have a family support system that will put you in contact with another family similar to yours. Your daughter can also meet others by participating in some of their family activities (a fun walk, for example). Another great resource when your daughter gets old enough is attending a Diabetes camp. My son found it was the first time he could stop activities because he felt low and not feel self conscious of it--everyone there understood. There is a lot of learning and empowerment that happens at these camps, also. I wish you the best in your new career and with your precious daughter. She is so lucky to have you as her mom.

If you really want to live in Atlanta, begin by calling places of employment that interest you. You never know when your call may be the the perfect timing for some employer who was about to put an ad out. Also, please don't let some comments by a few on this forum discourage you from pursuing something you want. If you set your mind up for success, visualize what you want as if it were true today, you will be amazed how things start to happen for you. I have found this over and over in my career. My most stagnant times in my life is when I resigned myself to a situation and didn't think of future possibilities. I wish you the best as a soon to be RN!!!

I agree with everyone else. And I would establish a good rapport with the oncoming nurses--it always helps to have an ally and someone who understands you are not a slack. Good relationships with others always paves the way to better working conditions.

I also started in the telem floor as a new grad. GREAT learning and you will see a variety of other medically complicated patients, all feeding into your experience bucket. Best of luck to you! Barbara

Hi Rae: I am wondering in what area of nursing were your 13 years of experience? I don't have any leads for you, I regret. In my opinion, you may want to check out programs in counseling before starting a general psych major course. I have friends who were psych majors and found getting a job to be difficult without a Masters Degree or beyond. You might want to call some Ga treatment facilities and talk to someone in the Nursing AND Counseling Departments to learn more. Ridgeview Institute is one name that comes to mind, and I'm sure there are others. Best of luck in your pursuit. Barbara

I've just joined this forum and would love to brainstorm with others re starting a business. Some of the best small businesses have started with a brain trust of people. Please let me know if you are still interested in this (just noticed your original post date). Barbara

One idea that pops up for me when I read your post. Do you have space in your home to start holding a small group of clients you'd like to serve? You could call them your practice clients or founders club members. These members could also be like a resource and advisory board to you. Try all you ideas with this group and get input as to what works and doesn't work. I am starting this with my own business as a way to get started and I don't feel it's too overwhelming and you can't beat the cost. Here is a huge market out there for support like you are envisioning. I am new to this forum and look forward to more discussions on this topic. Barbara