pie123

I sent you a private message...

My hospital recently went live with EHR (Electronic Health Records). During that time, in order to get a break from bedside, I volunteered to be a superuser for the system. A superuser helps MD's and fellow nurses with basic charting issues pertaining to the new system. I have been burned out on bedside nursing for quite some time, I think I was just trying to "force it" on myself. I even left once and came back. The ever-increasing demands being placed on the bedside nurse are becoming too much to bear. My director has given me many opportunities for personal growth: relief charge, open heart training, and committee membership, which I appreciate, but I am so burned out. I recently applied for an Informatics position and was told that HR is going to extend an offer to me. I am 40 years old and have been a nurse for 8 years (a drop in the bucket, I know). My lower back is a mess, but bedside nursing is all I know. So many of my co-workers are burned out, and I think many want to leave, but stay for one reason or another (pay, family, work schedule). My husband is completely supportive and recognizes my burnout. Here are my questions: (1) I am wondering if I would be pigeonholing myself by taking this job (losing skills)? I hope I would not HAVE to return to bedside, but one never knows. (2) Would you take it? It's Monday through Friday 0900-1730 (maybe staying later some days, maybe leaving early some days); it's a salaried position. These positions do not come around rarely. I am not a techy person, but I CAN learn. My husband says, "Listen, they know they are getting a nurse, not Bill Gates" :-) Feedback please...thanks.

I agree about the Mega Codes. I cannot understand why this doesn't happen more often. Even in a critical care area. Everyone says a code is a team effort, but what if you're in CT scan, and it's just you. There is no time to wait for someone else to get there and run the code. I don't understand why it's such a big deal to do mock codes at least once a month.

Also check out http://www.chwjobsnow.com. I just went there and there are 4 full-time positions at the Rose DeLima campus for Intermediate Care (IMC) alone. They are all nightshift, but when I worked IMC, the wait to go to dayshift was not long at all. I only checked for jobs at St. Rose DeLima campus, on IMC, so I don't know what else is available. I never even bother with HR. In my opinion, their snail's pace could possibly cost someone a potential job. Applications get lost, etc. I'm still waiting to hear back from Sunrise, and I applied there nearly 3 years ago! :chuckle Anyway, I would apply online, then maybe in a couple of days, I would call the manager directly, let him/her know you have applied and try to set up a time for an interview.

Check out the St. Rose websites. Between the 3 campuses, I would think they've got to have jobs posted. Go to http://www.strosecares.com, then click on careers. My preference is the Rose DeLima campus, especially Intermediate Care Unit (IMC). I liked the manager. She hired me as a new grad. If you need anything, send me a private message. Good luck.

St. Rose DeLima Intermediate Care (IMC) unit hires NAPs. Call the DeLima main number and ask for the manager of ICU/IMC. She is wonderful. Also, from what I remember, Med. Surg at DeLima hires NAPs.

What a coincidence. I too am looking to leave ICU. I'm tired of direct-care period, for probably the same reasons as you. It's just getting crazy. I too am thinking of home health. I've been a nurse for roughly 3 years. First in a step-down unit, then in ICU. I hate bedside care. I've only been in ICU for close to a year. I left step-down because I just got sick of it. I wanted ICU to learn more and to have an opportunity to give more patient care. In my opinion, it's just more of the same. I think it's just time to leave the bedside. I thought about ER, but I'm not sure. I was hesitant to apply for other jobs, as a big concern of mine is losing my "skills" but I am just so tired of bedside care and all that comes with it. I applied for non-direct care jobs today, one of them was hospice nursing and the other was home health nursing. I don't know if I could handle hospice nursing, but I guess it's worth checking out. Please let me know what you decide.

They are all nice facilities. DeLima is older, but still looks decent. Siena and San Martin are more aesthetically pleasing, but both are newer. They are easy to find, just Google them.

I was there for a bit, on IMC. I chose not to stick around either. I think like you, I kept comparing it to St. Rose. BUT, I have to say that the dayshift and nightshift charge nurses on IMC circle were the greatest. Absolutely fabulous. The teamwork was awesome too. The staff was really nice. I have never worked with a nicer bunch of people. I'm not really sure why I left. I know that I did not like the 5:1 ratio. Their charting is on paper, which I did not dig at all, but I guess once you get accustomed to it, it's ok.

Have you tried going straight to management? When I graduated, I found that was the best route.

I work at St. Rose and I haven't heard anything about another heart program opening. I know that St. Rose is hard to get into for ICU, with no ICU experience. What about Spring Valley? From what I understand, they hire new grads. I met a nurse who has 2 years of experience. She's now training to take care of heart patients. They just started doing hearts roughly 2-3 mos ago. They will require a contract though, because you will have to take the critical care class...if you have no critical care experience. I believe all of the hospitals here that hire for critical care areas require you to take a 7-8 week critical care course. Taking this course gets you a 2 year contract. Critical care encompasses Intermediate Care, ICU, and ER.

If you stay, you're probably headed for major burnout. You seem as though you're a good nurse. This is far too much for one person. Sounds like a very unsafe facility: for you and the residents.

I sent you 2 private messages.

.....