KayteRN

I also just started working in ICU (cardiac/neuro) after 1.5 years working in psych. I am struggling. It's been a very difficult adjustment. There is so much to keep track of and to know. It's still quite overwhelming. Just when I think I'm on top of things I'll have forgotten something (often albeit minor, tho could turn out to be more of a big deal) and it really hurts my self esteem. I never thought myself to be an anxious person but working in this environment since March (I am off orientation in 4 days) has made me an anxious hot mess of a person. Im always paranoid (speak of psych! Lol) I'm forgetting something and don't feel comfortable talking to doctors (much different on ICU than behavioral health, of course) and have lots of trouble with time management and prioritization/organization, etc. I have asked for a lot of help and I feel I get "oh you're doing well, it'll come." or "you'll get it". And what I want is explicit redirection to keep me on task when I am doing things out of order or that are wasting time unbeknownst to myself. It's been a very frustrating experience. And I am on the clock to be done with orientation in days. I'll have a "resource person" and I know people will help in a crunch, but I need help with just tasky things too, and time management. I can't say I regret the change from psych yet, but as of now I loath going into work. It consumes me day and night.

I was hired at a county psych hospital, which is sucky in the area. Worked there for almost a year and JUST got hired at a very great hospital in my area on another psych unit.* I have these on my record: possession/paraphernalia, marijuana (2001) DUI (2005) and minor retail theft (2008) I was always honest on my application. The hr lady was very nice to me when they offered me the job but do the check after the offer. She said I had already been working and had great letters of recommendation and none was involved in patient cAre. (I.e. She told me they once had to retract an offer for a guy who had battery on his record - he hit his wife...as he would be involved in direct pt care...)* I graduated in may 2009 but didn't get hired til sept 2010! Hang in there. It tool me a long time to move into a nice place. You can't be very picky. It's been a struggle. I have had probably 12 interviews at different hospitals, many great interviews and not been hired. And finally I was at a fantastic community hospital. I start orientation sept 12. *I did a lot. I applied feverishly. I volunteered at an STD clinic while serving tables looking for a job, I also had a nurse mentor I kept in toch with who provided me with and still supports me. She was my roughest clinical instructor and I ended up passing her class and kept in touch with her. She provided me with a great letter of recommendation when I had no experience. Make connections with other nurses. Accept leadership. And keep your head up. It's just the economy. No other time would this happen to you with a record that still allows you to work. If you can get your license, someone will hire you. It may just take you longer than your peers. I know it did for me. Sent from my iPhone

I just recently got a job as a psych nurse on a mainly geropsych unit, that I began 3 weeks ago. There are some younger pts as well, but "frail", or vulnerable (as if psych pts aren't). i.e. with more medical problems as well, that may have greater difficulty on another unit with more violent pts who act out a lot. Anywho. I am feeling very overwhelmed. I have had different preceptors each time I go into work, and it's challenging. There are pros to this, but I don't prefer it overall. I am trying to get tips on what questions to ask for my 1:1 assessment every shift. Some pts are developementally disabled, and therefore can't really answer if they've had a bm lately, or even how they feel, or if they feel safe, etc. It's hard to figure out the questions to ask each pt. I feel like a total moron at frequent intervals. Everyone has been really nice (co-workers), but I just feel so dumb. I've never worked in a hospital (besides nursing clincials), and NEVER worked in THIS type of atmosphere, with very labile people, who snap on the drop of a dime, at times. I feel like I'm dancing around their behavior. I know to set limits, but it's hard when someone is shouting in your face how they are "not going to take that medication" and "you don't know sh**, Bit*#", etc etc. I am trying to pick up some key phrases for redirection and things like that to kind of put in my back pocket and branch out as I become more comfortable. I get different information from nurse to nurse at my job, and I don't know how to proceed really. I just find this whole experience very challenging. I do LIKE it, it's just like I said, I feel stupid. Everyone is very positive and "you'll get it! it took me 6 months at least to feel better about coming to work, there's so much to know!" but I feel like I am progressing too slowly. Advice please?

I also just got my first RN job in a behavioral health setting, working in the county facility. There is the potential for violent patients, and that does frighten me. I DO however feel, that a "good" psych nurse is able to communicate and tune into signs that someone is getting aggitated and may intervene BEFORE they start throwing chairs or assault you. I hope I am right. I have had classroom orientation for 1 week, and have another 1 week of classroom, and then we are on the unit for 2 weeks at minimum, unless we need more time. (Given this is my FIRST nursing position, I believe I will need more time that some of the others in my group. There are 2 relatively new grads, but this is not their first position, as it is mine, so I'm at the biggest disadvantage here). I'm excited to have a job in an economy like this, but scared as well due to the threat of violence. I'm on a geropsych unit, so I hope that the age of the population indicates that violence may be less likely, or infrequent. We shall see.... Good luck in your psych persuits!

I am in the exact same boat here. 1 year later, RN and still no job. DON'T go to school for nursing and waste all of that time. They won't give you a chance (employers). They simply wont.

i wouldn't bother. I have a record. I got INTO school. I graduated from school. I was allowed a license. I passed my boards. And a year later, nobody will hire me. Even though it's illegal to NOT hire me based on my background. THey can. And they do. What a waste. And now I owe $75K in student loans, working as a waitress.

No. I filed bankruptcy last year and still took my nclex. Havne't found someone to hire me yet, but thats another story.

Had interviews at 2 different places the last week in june. BOTH were really great! One place (a rehab unit at a LTC) I had a 2nd interview. HR knew about the background, and called me in for the 2nd. I thought this was a great sign. The other place, was case management nursing. Which I was interested in as well. The interview was wonderful. I mean the lady who conducted it was so nice, and seemed so eager to have me sign on. HR called me and hour after the interview, and emailed me a sheet with the background information I had to disclose, and wanted my references. So I disclosed everything. And have not heard from them. I am SO frustrated. I mean *** (pardon my language). It's been such a long road, and even after a great interview, and everything goes well. I get denied. Its illegal in WI to deny me because of my background. But they do. It's so maddening. I am irate. I emailed both places to follow up, and have heard nothing. I want to scream. I just want and ANSWER.

I agree with who said to stay and work. Also a new grad, and been looking FOR A YEAR. I would give anything to have a hospital job. PLUS, many hospitals, (even in this economy) will help pay for a portion of your schooling if you decide you like it and want to persue the BSN. And if you stick it out for a year and still hate it, then maybe instead of BSN you can go back for something more geared towards your current interests. ??? I think it's tough but you're not alone. Everyone has warned me about feeling the way you do. I think it's pretty normal actually. Many people have been where you are. You too can do this.

I really feel for you. I have been in the same situation (in WI) since LAST MAY. Of 09! So for me it's been over a year. I just started volunteering at an STD clinic and a free clinic I start volunteering at within 1 week to try to network and make connections. I have had some really good interviews but no hires. I have background issues as well which I think is my problem primarily. As the last 2 interviews I had were excellent, but have yet to hear back from them. And both sounded like they really wanted to hire me. 1 knew about my background and I still got called for a 2nd interview, the other didn't, but of course I disclosed everything. But neither has checked my refs yet. It's very depressing. Hang in there. Everyone else tells me to do the same, but I'm running on a short fuse these days with regards to having an upbead attitude about it all. Good luck.

What type of establishment did you get hired at? Was it recently? With the economy dive and all? I'm really hopeful about this job, but obviously, I have an uphill battle. I'm not sure whether it's a tiny hill, or a big ole' one quite yet. Time will tell I guess. I'm glad to hear SOMEONE was though! That's reassuring. How long have you been working? What's your job hunting story?

Right. I have my license. It's the JOB I'm concerned with now. I have them listed in the begining of the blog I believe.

I've found it hard, as I have no experience. So I don't know how to get into home health. How did you do it Chicago? Did you have prior experience? I just had an excellent interview at a hosp in Milwaukee. I was recomended by HR to be interviewed, long story. And it went well. I shadowed today to see if I'd like it. But there has been no official offer yet. I am waiting to see how it goes. Nauseatingly hopeful. But we'll see. I'll definately send an update in two weeks when I'm expected to hear, after they've done my reference check/background, etc. Fingers crossed.

That's horrible. I am a diabetic (type 1), and wear a tiffany style bracelet with and engraved charm on it stating "diabetic insulin" on both sides of the charm. I would think that as a medical professional, it's horrible practice to overlook an engraved bracelet because it doesn't look like it'd be a medical bracelet.

I always refer to these as the "default email" and have gotten it frequently. I granduated in May (BSN, and am a new RN) and am having great difficulty finding a job, but have an interview on monday for a hospital in my area. I am praying that it is positive and ends positively. Staying hopeful!