KNK2229

Thanks for your response! There’s housing pay for both, though I have a home in Europe with my fiancé (he’s European citizen), I’ve still maintained my housing in the states so housing would still qualify for either position I choose. I have lived in Europe now for almost 4 years and done a bit of traveling but like you say, traveling is great and I’ll never get tired of it! You make a good point on the hours worked and that has crossed my mind. Thought I had my mind made up but still a bit perplexed on which to choose ...have until tomorrow to decide but hoping to decide by today. I feel like I’ve made my time with bedside nursing and Occ Hx is great to continue with again. I’ll post soon to share what I’ve decided! So far, family and friends all vote for Occ HX, but ultimately of course it’s my decision. Thanks again for your reply! Jed, you make an excellent point about the hospital not being the end of all! As well as tying the FNP with Occ Hx. Thank you

Hi all, First off, I wish all my colleagues well and know that although I don’t know you all, I am pulling for us through this pandemic. Just needing some quick advice. I’ve been fortunate to be offered an awesome opportunity as a civilian RN for Med/Surg at the US military hospital in Europe. Midway in after accepting my offer (federal government hiring is utterly slow by the way) I received a second offer today for their RN Occupational Health department. It would be to manage occupational health injuries for the US military across Europe and includes supervisory duties. Something new and exciting. My background: been a nurse for 6 years started out in Tele, have done urgent care, ED, occupational health (worked for a medical clinic at a major airport in the US), travel medicine, float, travel nursing-both international and domestic- and now live in Europe which is why I set out for the position. I’m also currently working on my FNP-PHD. I’m just unsure which position to go for. I feel either one is a win. The Med/Surg position , from what I’ve told, is “very relaxed compared to US counterpart”, also involves a bit of supervisory skills as we have LPNs(but I’m thinking of that ratio increasing) and since they serve the entire military branch of Europe, it’s an open field in helping with the helipad, etc. But let’s face it, bedside is exhausting and this year has just proven it. I still love bedside but now there’s a chance for something to new...or do I continue to hone my skills? Plus the OCC health is a step up in pay (civilians are determined via the GS system). But housing is also provided. I’m just curious to know what my colleagues think. Which would you do? Thank you in advance all. Appreciate you taking the time to read my mess.

Graduated summer of last year, I now have officially six months of registered nursing experience under my belt. I have landed a PACU job now training into the OR. I absolutely love it as it is an outpatient surgery center-GI cases, ENTs, plastic surgery and pain management and the learning is invaluable. No nights, no weekends and pay is so great. And of course having a chance to train in the OR is priceless. However I've still been putting in applications with the hopes of landing a PACU/OR position with a larger hospital but my experience is still short and will probably have to wait another six months or more before more doors can open. In the meantime I received an interview for a transitional care unit. I realized I missed the umbrella of disease process and various nursing skills, and as a new nurse perhaps this will further increase my opportunity for acute care experience. I was never one to be on med/surg, I specifically wanted telemetry, but now being out of it I miss the bedside. But at the same time I'm loving surgery. I also have an offer for a nonprofit organization in the major city to be a clinical nurse for the elderly population per diem. Whatever job I choose to stick with I can keep that...sorry for the long post, I'm just so confused as to what path I choose. I've been given these great opportunities and I'm not sure which to stick with. For those out there, can you give any advice or any input would be great. I am also currently working on my MSN in clinical nurse leadership and management. The wonderful thing about nursing is the countless opportunities but all these roads are leaving me with a huge question mark as to where to go. Thanks in advance.

Good luck all!!!

Just received acceptance email this morning.

Just got my acceptance email today.-Keira

Have you heard any news, RN12345678?

I worked as an intake coordinator for a very busy home care agency and I can tell you that there IS going to be stress. Lots of it. Just in different form. Keeping up with not just your patient's condition, but also the paperwork that is intended to be turned in by a certain time by the agency. I can see why a lot of nurses would perhaps prefer the home health versus the hospital because the flexibility you get is priceless. However, just take into consideration the added on extra supervision by the head RN and the easier access of your patients being able to contact you.

You are all my inspiration!!! I have an 8 month old and am 5 months pregnant...long and behold last month..I got my acceptance letter for the RN program this fall. So many things went through my head.....what should have been an exciting and joyous feeling came this shadow of doubts and fear....but I've had parents in my prereqs class with two, three, four, five kids..and some of those people were actually the best students in the class. So I'm keeping an optimistic mind. It's February now, and my baby will turn one in May and my new baby will be born that month as well, and I figure a few months with them before school starts will give me a bit of paradise before the stress and pressure starts. But I'm keeping a positive mind. I have my parents around, my boyfriend is very supportive, and his family are always there to lend a helping hand. I figure doing the RN program now, while my kids will still be young, would be a lot better than down the road when they can actually TELL me in their own words how little time I'm spending with them. But I know this will better our future, and will finally land me a career I can love and enjoy. So I'm excited.....still a little frightened, but definitely excited. And I'm motivated now more than ever to find a group of people who are also telling me it will be okay. =] Katrina