azilliRN

I live here in Albuquerque and I went to CNM for my Associates Degree in Nursing. Nursing is my second career and I also have a Masters but in Healthcare Administration. You are correct about UNM being more "book" oriented and I also had heard that their NCLEX average is lower than CNM. In fact, I would suggest pursuing CNM's program because they have more "hands on" knowledge and you will learn a lot from them. I have heard the the number of students has increased in the past few years at CNM. I think they now take 80 students all together within the first year. It is only 20 more people then when I went to nursing school. There is more of a demand now for nursing school and getting in can be a long wait. I think it is because they want to weed out those who might not be able to get through the program. How they know at this stage, beats me. Finally, I think they don't have enough teachers to teach everyone and that might be why the number of students has increased. That is just my thoughts on the subject.

I can give you an idea of what it is like to work on a Skilled Unit at a local hospital. First, I work three 12 hour shifts, caring for 9 plus patients. See them? I have two different sub groups - Acute and Sub/Acute. I spend my time with those who need more medical attention. As for the rest, I put them on the back burner unless something arises. Otherwise, my time is spent elsewhere such as giving out scheduled meds, running I.V.'s, taking vital signs and handing out lots of pain medication. That is just a tip of the ice berge. I have To deal with PT, OT and the Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. My phone is constantly ringing non-stop throughout the day. I am not sure what our starting pays is because I went to the SNF on a higher pay level after two and a half years of working in a clinic. Another thing I can tell you is that it is very hard work. I'm on feet throughout my entire shift. When I do sit down it's for a bite to eat and a quick bathroom break. Charting? I do all my charting at the end of my shift. Overtime is to be expected. As with any job, it is rewarding and frustrating. If you work with a good group of nurses and who are willing to help you in times of need, you will have job satisfaction. Team work is essential if you work on a skilled unit.

Join the club. We are experiencing the same thing at my hospital. The unit needs four RN's, two for the day shift and two for nights. Almost all the Nurses on my unit are trying to transfer to other units within the hospital. We have lost six nurses within the last year - at least.

Thank You, for a good chuckle! I needed it tonight :-)

I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you, very unfortunate. Whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP! You will get through it next time, in fact, you will be more confident and all the better for it in the end. This set back will make you stronger and a better nurse. Have confidence in yourself! Good luck and many blessings.

Try and relax and have some fun on your days off. There is nothing you can do about it once you leave work. Believe me, I have the same feelings some nights when I drive home - did I...forget to chart, tell the night nurse, and did I pass out all my medications, etc. You did the best you could, you can't ask for anything more.

If they are holding a position for in the OR, they have a lot of respect for you. In fact, you are quite lucky to have the skills you have after working as a tech. There will be some training as you transition from being a tech to a nurse. Believe me, I have the desire to work in the OR and I have applied twice at a teaching hospital and they didn't take me. I have been a nurse for four years and yet I am still battling to get in. There is a waiting list at my hospital and I have to wait for the. Next round of candidate selection which will be sometime in 2014. There is such a closeness that is not seen anywhere else. You don't need to work the floor - take the OR nurse position! Good luck in your upcoming nursing career :-)

First of all, Congratulations! Make sure you only add the RN initials on work related documents, not on applications, checks, or personal papers. However, every once in awhile, you will catch yourself almost adding those initials after your name. I'm speaking from experience when I passed my boards 4 years ago.

I say go for it!! Nursing is my second career and I too am looking into Pre and Post-op. it doesn't hurt to apply. So what if there are people in their 30's, it should not stop you from pursuing another field in nursing.

I wouldn't mind doing an unpaid internship. The trouble is, I don't know how to get my foot in the door. I don't know anyone who would allow me to do so. I've thought about going to HR for any suggestions. However, the only way I could probably get in would be if I knew someone who worked there. I will keep asking around. Thanks again for responding to my post.

I have been a Registered Nurse for three years. My career started out in Family Practice Clinic. Currently I am working on the SNF unit at a reputable hospital. However, I have been trying to get in to a specialty for the last few months. My main interests are the OR and PAC-U. I have had interviews for various positions only to be turned down. My hopes have been shattered. I feel like I am at a dead end job without any hope of getting out. I am very unhappy where I am and dread going into work. I felt I needed experience working the floor but would like a position in a specialty unit. This seems almost impossible to do and I feel trapped. What does it take to get into a specialty? Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

I work on a Skilled/Acute Care Unit where the ratio is 8:1, soon to be 10:1. Hence, why I am looking for another job in a specialty area such as the OR or PACU.

We are all human and we all make mistakes! Chuck this experience up as a learning curve - easily said than done, I know. Hang in there and go for your RN. Being let go will have no impact on your license. You may have to explain the situation if you apply in the future at another job. Otherwise, if it was a short time - you could always leave it off your resume. Just a thought. Complete your prerequisites and let go. This will soon pass :)

I did my precept on the Telemtry floor at nights. While I was there, the RN and I had 6 to 8 patients. Most were stable but we had two who were a challenge and therefore, we're close to the nurses station. I was told from friends who work there that they work 36 hours a week but have to work an extra 8 hour shift. They do get paid time and a half plus any extra hours they work. I must tell you, the workload can be a challenge and difficult at times. If you do work there ask a lot of questions. As for the Dr's and nurses. There are a lot of Resident Dr's and they do work well with the nurses. From what I have seen. Finally, it takes a while to get on at the VA. They do extensive Background checks and even if you do get an interview, that too takes awhile. The key here is, be patient. I couldn't wait because my Background was extensive due to the fact that I grew up overseas most of my life. Instead I took a position at Presbyterian. Good luck n your new venture!

Our clinic requires RN's andLPN's wear white tops with either red, black, navy, green or purple pants. Our MA's wear the same colors in both tops and bottoms. However, a plus is that we can wear warm-up jackets with designs. It helps break up the monotony. The same goes for our hospitals, as well.

That was great a story :) I got a real chuckle.

Nursing is my second career. I already have a Bachelor of Arts Degree. However, I went back to school and earned my A.D.N. and now working as an RN in a Family Practice Clinic. The company I work for is encouraging us RNs to get our BSN. In fact, they prefer BSN over A.D.N. degrees. If you have the time and the means, I would suggest going for your BSN. In the end - everyone takes the same Boards. I'm returning to school after two years of being an RN to earn my BSN. Good luck in your decision.

Wow, what great advice. Thanks Sweetie Pie for passing this on. Unfortunately, I can't eat chocolate cookies, but I will join you in peanut butter cookies. My favorite :)

Janice; Please do not despair!! You are in a wonderful field of nursing - I too am in my early 40's, second career, as well. I have had many days where I still despair and wonder why I became a nurse. January 11th will be two years that I have been working in a Family Practic Clinicand as an RN. This is the year that I will be making a change to something else and hopefully more rewarding. The company I am working for won't allow new nurses to transfer to another department unless they have completed two years - changing at six months was not an option for me. Every day I go to work, I feel aprehensive and I have knots in my stomach, still after almost two years. Plus, I still do have nightmares and carry my work home with me. I know it is not a good thing to do but sometimes it is hard to put it aside. I'm always worried that I will be written up, fired, or told that I am not a good nurse. However, my nightmares have decreased somewhat but I still get them. I too am worried about my skills. I am certified to start IV's but where does one get a chance to do that in a clinical setting? Hardly ever, and you are not alone in feeling like you are lacking in your skills. I am there with you. However, giving injections, rooming (every now and then), and mostly doing phone triage has become quite a drag for me. At this point I feel like I won't be able to pick up the pace in another department. However, if I feel uncomfortable doing something, I won't do it unless someone is there to help me. I am always worried that I will hurt a patient or do something that is life threating. If I can't do something, I say I won't do it because I am uncomfortable. You have to stand up for yourself. Not to worry, we all get nervous and feel inadequate. Believe me, I do every day. I work with some good nurses who have done the floor for years and they keep reminding me why I went into my field and that I am a good nurse. It helps on those days when I despair and feel discouraged. I think you should stick it out for at least six months total and in the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities. You and I will find an area of nursing that we will like and fit into. It just might take some time, hopefully not too long. You are a good nurse with a warm heart. Please keep that in mind and walk with your head held high and learn as much as you can so that when you bail, you know you have done your very best. We are in a proud profession and should rejoice in that. We are needed and will find our niche some day. Please keep me posted on your venture, I wish you the best of luck. We will get through this! Alexandra

It will 2 years January 11 th when I started working in a Family Practice clinic. As an RN, I triage daily - 8 hours a day. If I am not doing that I am giving injections. I'm bored stiff. I would love to find a job where I can use my skills -especially before I forget them! You are fortunate to be able to go back the floor. Phone triage can be quite boring and frustrating

I work for Presbyterian but in an outpatient clinic at Ana Kaseman. Just as an FYI, I tried getting in as a nurse extern but at the time I looked there were no positions available. Did you apply online for the position? That was how I found out if there were any positions available. I found that the only way you get into the program was if you already had your foot in the door working as CNA. Getting on at Presbyterian is difficult - my suggestion is to keep persuing online and try calling Human Resorces. Also, driving down to the main office and speaking with someone face-to-face for information. Good luck!

I work in a Family Practice Clinic and I deal with patients of all ages. It can be challenging at times but every day something new and exciting happens. There is never a dull moment! However, I am also lucky to work for two doctors. We all get along splendily but the main thing is that both are willing to teach and answer any questions I may have - they don't make me feel small and incompetent. There is so much variety that it can be challenging at times but overall, it is a learning curve. Our clinic as a whole, is fun, and we nurses interact with the doctor's at work and outside of work, which I find unusual and yet refeshing. Just make sure you laugh a lot and have fun in your job.:)

Family Practice Clinic (9 1/2 months). I do phone triage, patient triage, nurse visits, wound care, transport of patient to hospitals, and whatever my two Doctors need in the way of shots.

Thanks for sharing this great video. It made my day brighter!

I work in a Family Practice Clinic and I have been giving out the Flu shot to practically whoever walks in the door. As a way of giving the patient some control over their healthcare, I always ask the pt which arm they prefer to have the injection. For the most part my pt's like having it in their left arm. I for one am right handed and I like getting it in left arm - less pain I suppose