JeniRN

thinking I would probably wait a bit to tell them, BUT the only thing I feel like is holding me back from that is the fact that I would have to leave early from work once or twice for dr appts.....so, maybe I should??? heck...idk. Thanks for the advice so far. Anyone else have advice too??

So, I accepted a new job in a cardiology clinic, leaving ccu finally. I found out the weekend after I accepted the job that I was pregnant, so I have not yet told either my current, or new job yet. I start my new job next week, and at that time will be 10 weeks. I am very nervous about telling my new job, because I don't want them to think I was hiding anything from them, but am also afraid that when I do tell them that they think I won't be able to do my job to it's potential, and they will be mad at me, or mad they didn't hire someone else. Don't want them to find some reason to not let me transfer anymore, since it's an internal transfer. I do plan on returning to work there after the baby, but just feel bad that I will have to take that long of a leave only like 6 months after I started. It's also a M-F job, which I have never had before, working in the hospital and all, and I am worried about how I will coordinate dr appts with work, as I have one just a couple weeks in that I would need to leave early for. After my first 3 months, I have the option of doing 4 10's, so then I can just schedule on my day off, just don't know what to do until then. I just don't know, I don't want them to be mad, and find some reason to not let me transfer there. I am really excited about our new addition, but am feeling down right now and worried about how it's gonna work with my job....and it sucks, because I want to just be happy about it and not worry so much. So...do I tell them my first day when I start to be upfront?? Or....do I wait a little while until more established to tell them?? hmm...what to do. Any advice?!

I was considering applying for a job in a cardiology group office. Hospital nursing is beginning to burn me out, and I was looking for a change. So, Was wondering if any of you have ever worked in one, and if so if you liked it! Thanks!

I am really wanting a change. Wanting to get out of the hospital for right now, it's beginning to drive me crazy. I have about three years RN experience. 1.5 years icu/ccu, some tele, and a little ortho. I am considering a few jobs that have openings at my hospital, but am kinda afraid to apply, afraid my nurse manager will be mad etc. I have been at my current job for 1 year, and been in both tele and ccu, they're like sister units where I work. I loved ICU at my old job where I worked for a year, but since moving here, I don't enjoy it at all! I think part of it is management, but the environment isn't the greatest, LOTS of people have left recently. The reason I'm afraid to do the same, is that out of my year at this hospital, I have only been doing the CCU for 6 months of it, because they let me go through their education program. And I have a year ICU experience prior to this. I guess just nervous it would look bad, and nervous about what my boss would say. But anyway, that is my background. I am just dying to get out of the hospital, I have reached my wits end with the drama and politics that are going on. I hate going to work right now. I want to enjoy nursing again. I am considering a few different jobs, but unsure whether or not I would really enjoy them, as I have only worked in the hospital, and am unsure of how things go outside of the hospital. Any advice would be super. One job is an ortho surgery center PACU, that is separate from the actual hospital, like outpatient surgery. Four 10's. Anyone have similar experience?? I would like to know how you like it, and how a typical day goes. There is also an opening at a large cardiology office. M-F. Anyone have experience in cardiology offices?? I have never worked anywhere like that, so I have no idea of what my job would entail. Any advice, experience?? Well, thanks again for reading, and any advice you may have to offer. I really want to enjoy my job again, and the hospital just seems to be sucking the life out of me. Thanks again.

I am with you, I feel the same way. I too am considering a non-hospital job, just want to find something I really enjoy. Good luck to you!!

oh yes, I get so irritated by people who think our job is cake, or that we don't have to be smart and don't have to do anything. I had a "friend" the other day that said, man I wish I could trade you jobs so that i could have an easy job too!! I was mad!! So I tried "educating" her on all that we REALLY have to do, it's not like greys anatomy....on my floor, we run our tails off, all day long, non stop. She's like...oh, you just have to give meds and clean up poop!!!! man, i was P.O.'d. Those people have NO idea. I know I just need to ignore those types, but sometimes, I just can't help myself. I find it so insulting that I run my butt of every single day, trying to keep the sick ones from crashing, and people think my job is cake and chalk it up to nothing, and then wonder why the heck i'm so tired. man....i need to stop ranting...hahaha. :) But yes, I feel your pain.

So, all being healthcare professionals, we are all urged (if not required) to be vaccinated for the flu annually. I completely understand why. I know there is some controversy about flu vaccines and their safety as well though. I know that people just think, well I wanna keep my patients safe, so i'm getting one, without thinking about the possible side effects, if they really do exist. Not saying that I disagree with it, because that's not the case at all, vaccines can really be a good thing, have been proved to have helped millions of people throughout the years. As far as the controversy goes, I have found multiple sites explaining about the mercury and aluminum content in these vaccines. Some say it's minimal, others say since mercury is so toxic, it's a bad amount. Also same goes with aluminum. Both which have potential to cause neurological problems. I have read MANY studies which show that If you more than 5 consecutive flu vaccines, you have a HUGE increase in chance of developing alzheimers later in life. Thing is, these vaccines are tested and deemed safe right now, but how do you measure side effects 20 years down the road right now? you cant. 5 consecutive vaccines isn't really much considering how much longer I have to be a nurse, like 20 more years! The flu vaccine also contains polysorbate 80, which has been known to cause reproductive problems, and cancer. How is it safe for us to have things like this being injected into our body? Plus it only protects against certain strains predicted to show up. I know physicians who refuse to take the shot! Obviously there's got to be a reason. I have seen at least 3 or 4 patients in my few years of nursing, that have had gullian-barre, have no idea how they ended up with it. The only correlation is that they had received their flu shot just before that. As far as the swine flu shot, I guess this year it seems to be somewhat of a combo vaccine from what I understand. Safety once again, is tested for now, but what about 20, 30, even 50 years down the road, will there be residual effects? What about the swine flu outbreak back in the 70's that everyone got vaccinated for back then, there were a lot of residual effects from that shot, which at the time was deemed as safe. I'm not trying to say flu shots are bad, I see why they can be important. And I know that people get them to keep their patients safe, completely understand. But i care about what I am injecting in my body to do so. I wanna keep myself healthy too, and the substances in the vaccine just don't seem very healthy. I guess what I am looking for here, is others opinions on this. Your thoughts on whether or not you feel it's safe, and why. Or contrary, why you feel it's not safe. I understand it's potential benefits, but also see a lot of negative things as well. Just wanting to see every aspect

Oh man, don't even get me started on patients like this....lol. I had a bad one last week, and it just gets under my skin so bad, especially because it seems to take away from the care my other patients who really need it. It's people like this that make me question my job, and get frustrated that I'm somewhat limited in what I can really do about it, without getting into trouble, just irks me. I had one lady tell me her "pinkie toe" wasn't in quite the right spot in her sock, no kidding. I spend the WHOLE night in this lady's room, even had the convo about she's not my only patient, I have other patients who are really sick and need me just as much as she does. Didn't even get it, or care, second I walk out...BEEP! ugh. lol. She pushed the button just to see if I would come, when I walked in, she commenced to tell me that I didn't come when she pushed the button....I said, i'm here, what do you need?! Well, she told me, you didn't come fast enough, i just wanted to see if you would come, and you didn't. I told her, I WAS HERE WITHIN 30 SECONDS!!! I was clear at the other end of the hallway getting ready for an admit. So, I had the convo with her again, that i have other patients who are sick. Man, I was done with nursing after that shift got over, haha. Good thing I didn't have her the next night. Before I even left, within 30 mins of day shift taking her, they came and found me and asked how the heck I did it all night, just shrugged my shoulders...lol. I am an extremely patient person, but wow, i was done. Well, guess I had to rant too. Thanks for letting me!! ha. But, I have to say, I feel your pain. It frustrates me that we're expected to go out of our way for people like this, and when we try to set boundaries, we get written up. dumb.

I have heard various people talking about BSN vs. ADN, saying that soon most hospitals and jobs will require you to have a BSN. Does anyone know of any validity to this?? What will happen with all the ADN's, seems there's a lot. Just curious. I plan on going back for my BSN, but maybe I should get on it sooner than later!

Thank you so much for all of your perspectives. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who worries about whether i'm going to get written up vs. give my patients something if I choose the other...

So these last few months have been a little rough for me, I'm just worried that I'm gonna get myself into trouble at work. So, last month, I had my gall bladder taken out, had to miss a week of work, and the two days before my surgery because I was so nauseated and couldn't keep outta the bathroom. But, I felt bad, knew they were short staffed, and ended up working the night before my surgery. Hadn't slept all day long d/t dr's appt and such, went to work feeling like crap, had to orient someone, and then the next morning went straight from work, downstairs 2 floors and checked myself in for surgery. Surgery's over, I feel great! I vow to not miss any work because I had missed work for my surgery. Now...have this crazy head cold, URI type of thing going on, giving me killer headache the past two days. Supposed to work tonight, haven't slept, feel like complete crap, don't know what I have, but afraid to not go to work. We get 5 sick days/year, but I really don't wanna push it since i've already had a few in the last few months. But, on the other hand, I would feel horrible if I were to get one of my patients sick or something....so, torn. So, I guess my question is, would you or would you not go to work? (Supposed to work tonight) I don't wanna seem like I call in too much, because I feel like I have, and get in trouble. But, it's not like I'm just out playing hooky or something, it's legit! I've never used this many sick days ever!! And they were nice enough to really work w/me about my surgery, and now I'm sick again?! But on the other hand, I don't feel good at all, and I don't wanna pass it to anyone else if it's something contagious. hmm. stressing myself out, lol.

I feel your pain! I too, have quite a few student loans....