RN1298

I think if the only aspect of my life I'm thinking about is my career, then I think I would wish I'd gone the med school path instead. The doctors I know work shorter, fewer days than I do, for a lot more money and respect. But I'm just not willing to give up a decade more of my life to school and a residency...especially because if I have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, that's what I want to do. I think it might help for you to figure out what your priorities are, and think about what you want your life to look like in 15 years.

I wanted to do this, but then I realized it would mean taking over 8 classes that I didn't take in undergrad! If you have the option to take all your prereqs in addition to what you need for your nursing major, I would do that at the very least to keep your options open. It's very different to decide to take the MCAT and try to get into med school when you already have your prereqs than to balance working full time, taking a bazillion prereqs, and then the MCAT/med school.

I'm so sorry Getting rejected over and over again, taking a job I didn't really want in a city I don't want to be in, and continually getting rejected for the jobs I DO want even after having a little experience has been one of the hardest things. I know how you feel. your post expresses it perfectly. it's the economy...blame it on that and try to take it easy on yourself. Things WILL turn around. I hope it happens soon for you!

Oh no no...I wish I had a new job! :) I'm just exploring different possibilities...trying to figure out what my niche might be. I know of a few ER opportunities, and while that's always been something I've been interested in pursuing, I'm not sure if I have the personality for it. Debating whether or not to even apply. Thank you so much for your replies. I'm so glad to hear your perspectives!

What kind of personality do you think it takes to work in the ER? What kinds of personalities do you think are NOT a good fit?

I don't aspirate when giving vaccines, but I do with other drugs.

The office I work for has absolutely no problem hiring new grads. I think it's probably because we're a lot cheaper than Nurse of the Year w/ 25 years experience, and this job doesn't really many of the skills you gain in a hospital, so there isn't any reason to pay thousands more per year for someone with experience. But I agree with everyone who's said try to find a bedside job first...I feel like I'm not using much of my degree at all.Time will fly at your first job anyway...before long you'll have at least some experience and know a little more about what you really want to do.

I don't have any practical advice for you, but one thing that's helped me have a positive attitude (ok, I actually don't have a positive attitude about it most of the time, but I'm trying and remembering this helps...) is that I'll probably be a nurse for around 30 years; and this part of my career--the part where I had to look and look and take the job I could find which is not in the area or location I wanted--is a tiny, tiny part of my nursing journey and who knows what will happen after this phase.

I'm a new RN in a similar job too, for a few months now. I would say... don't be afraid of the doctors! They are probably really nice most of the time and this is just their job, they are humans too. Also, don't let yourself feel like this is somehow inferior to hospital nursing! While we probably do need that experience, we're getting a lot of unique experiences that our friends aren't...for example, working closely with doctors; you'll probably do a lot of patient education, especially if your practice does dial-a-nurse or anything like that; and gaining a lot of knowledge about primary care, as well as expertise in the few skills that you repeat over and over again. And we get holidays off. :) And just relax... if your practice is anything like mine, the nurses are really close and support each other a lot. Be open to learning everything you can and making the most of every learning opportunity. And congrats on getting a job!! We are the lucky ones in this economy!! :)

I think also there are a lot of big egos in healthcare. Not just physicians but a lot of nurses. We should be proud of our profession, but I think some people feel like if they know how to help improve/save someone's life, that excuses and allows them to treat people like crap. But in the end, we'll all be old and unable to work, and then all they'll be left with is their crappy personality and no excuses.

I graduated in December 2009 and found a job in about 3 months, but I had to relocate and it is not in a hospital. Also, I had applied for 100+ positions since September 09, mostly in Washington DC and I didn't get any encouragement there so I broadened my search and that's how I found this job. I'm still getting rejection emails from all the places I applied to before, haha. I'm thankful to have a job.

Thank you so much for the advice everyone!! janfrn, I really like your advice about the 2x2s... that seems to be my mine problem, that my fingers are constantly slipping... but I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're saying. are you saying use 2, one on either side? Or just use one and kind of hold it across the top so you aren't blocking your view..?

Anyone have tips on inserting urinary caths in pediatric patients, including babies? (i.e., landmarks, angles, anything you've found to be helpful!) Thanks :)

I can't help but see the similarities between nurses and teachers... both are traditionally female roles; both have come a long way in the last 100 years; and both are stretched to the limit and expected to just put up with far more than is reasonable. I wouldn't exactly call myself a feminist, and it might be a small stretch, but nursing really sometimes shines a light on just how far women's rights have to go...

Me too! It's so helpful and enlightening to hear so many different nurses' perspectives. (Except for the party poopers! :-P)

Is it possible for you to get a repeat skin test, and then get several opinions before deciding to take the meds? In my short experience so far, a *lot* of nurses and even some doctors aren't really 100% clear on what constitutes a positive reaction, rather than just a little allergic/sensitivity kind of reaction. Redness should NOT be measured! Just the raised area... and if you have no risk factors, the area has to be 15 mm to be positive. It seems like if it were, the RN would have caught it the first time.

I have to disagree with those that have said it depends on what region you're in. I applied for jobs in many different states and regions, and there is no place where it is easy to get a job right now. I do think there is less competition for jobs in more rural areas, but there is definitely, definitely not a nursing shortage in the South. (Or at least, hardly any hiring.)

It's abused where I work. One nurse calls in for migraines so often, she might as well be a part-time worker. I know migraines are miserable and can be debilitating... but if you're missing 3 full days of work a week (out of a 5 day workweek), it seems like you do not need to be a full-time worker, leaving your other nurses out to dry constantly. But I agree with the person who said there is a reward for good attendance, having a job. :) I really think if you abuse it, it will catch up with you eventually.

Haha! You guys are hilarious. Yeah, that doesn't seem right to be able to tell someone they can't come to work... or it seems like there should at least be a policy limiting how many times it can happen in a pay period? if they hired you as a fulltime worker, you should be bringing home a fulltime paycheck--or something close to it!

I work at a clinic. The work environment is much better--I get an hour for lunch!!--but I also get very little respect from patients and parents (it's a peds clinic). I feel like they view me more as an obstacle they have to get around before they can see the doctor than someone who is helping their child. The doctors I work for are nice, but sometimes I feel like I'm really just a hostess or I'm just there to do their dirty work...give the shots and do the other things that make the kids cry. Some days are fun/nice and I love working with kids, but ultimately I think I'm going to get my NP degree... would love to get a little more respect. :)

Well I haven't been a nurse for long, but I feel like the grass may always be greener on the other side of the fence. I think being an engineer...or a teacher...or a dentist or doctor...sounds kind of awesome. I haven't been a nurse long enough to say whether or not it was the best career choice for me, but I know I can *make* it a good choice for me. I will say I haven't felt like I've contributed much to society at all, just gotten on parents nerves for making their kids cry when I give them shots or whatever.

well you'll use your a&p, but i know we kind of got a review of that in patho. but as for the other ones like.... anthropology?? lol no way :) just enjoy this time and make the most of the free time you have while you take your prereqs! good luck!

Thanks guys!! So far so good... I'm def. getting over it (I don't have a choice, haha), although sometimes I'm afraid I'm restraining tooo hard. But I just think when they jerk, that would hurt them (as well as me and their parents) worse than being held down. It's kind of tricky.

I didn't have any luck looking for a job in Baltimore the last few months, or in Virginia around the DC metro area, although I got a couple of bites farther out in Virginia. just my experience! good luck!