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A lot of nurses that I encounter that do IR seems to love it! Really looking forward to it!

Thank you! I'm gonna read, read, read. Your post was really helpful, thanks again!

Do what will make you happy. I am leaving my ICU job for a less-paying job in IR but I cannot put a price on happiness. I loved the ICU but it was stressful. There were nights that I worked that I didn't feel safe and/or I felt that I am jeopardizing my license. Most nights, we didn't have a clerk and a CNA. We did everything ourselves. I noted a decline in my physical health as well. I would go home and have dreams about my patients. It was just not meant for me but I did love what I learned.

Have you ever thought about ICU? I loved working in the ICU because it really gave me experience and it sharpen my critical thinking skills. Most of the time, the residents relied to us (nurses) for answers. You had to think quick when a patient is declining fast. I could not think of a better role that will prepare you for NP school. Just a thought

I think you can check somewhere online, 24-hours post test. Try your state's Board of Nursing. I paid $10 to get my results five years ago :)

I live in Florida and the starting for new grads here is $23 I believe. Are you working nights? The night differential here is roughly $5 more per hour. Plus, we also have Clinical Ladder.

I have been a nurse for five years now and here's what I know so far: 1) Its okay to cry. I cried one night inside the med room infront of my colleagues. I was charge nurse and had a full load of busy patients! 2) If a patient yells at you, do not take it personally. Its easier said than done, but their problems make my problems seem minute. Put yourself in their shoes. 3) Always be kinder than necessary. If you make a mistake, a patient is more likely to forgive you if you were kind to them. 4) Leave your personal problems at home. No one wants to work with someone who comes in to work already in a bad mood. 5) Offer help if you're not swamped. Teamwork makes the dream work! 6) Always look up things if you're unsure of them whether it be a medication, procedure, diagnosis, etc. More knowledge, more power! 7) Professionalism even when a doctor is yelling at you. Work with each other, not against each other. 8) Find ways to de-stress. Its a very stressful profession but very rewarding once you find your niche. Good luck!

I did horrible in some of my nursing classes. I did well on L&D and Pediatrics but I do not work in those fields now, nor have I ever worked there. Don't give up. Try a different studying method. It took me a minute to understand "critical thinking" and I had no experience in the health care field prior to nursing school. Some of us are just slow-learners. For me, I am a visual and hands-on learner. The more I am around something, the more it sticks to my brain. Best of luck!

But every management is different I guess

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I think it was a little too extreme that you were fired over this. I work in an ICU and experienced nurses have made mistakes as well as new grads. To name a few... 1) putting a pressure bag on an EVD 2) ignoring arterial lines when it keeps on dinging, turns out patient had a clot 3) ambulating patients when they have a massive P.E. 4) oh! and another nurse got written up for not bathing a patient who is a walkie-talkie 30-year old man 5) administering the wrong blood products No one got fired over these things but there is a nurse who got fired because she yelled at a transporter. I really think they should have given you another chance..

12 hour shifts are tiring. I am starting a new job soon that is 8-10 hour shifts.

Moffitt does not take new grads. TGH wants BSN. Good luck!

They're hard but they pay well. My first nursing job was on nights and I absolutely loved it.. not so much now because I am older. Take a really good nap during the day. I used to clump my shifts together so my nights off are also back to back. I never switched to a normal day routine though. Even on my nights off I still cannot go to bed at night.

You can land a job at a doctor's office or school nursing.. Something that is relatively low-key. I work in the ICU now but I am leaving it for another position because it is too stressful. I can't stand seeing patients that sick to the point that they are knocking on heaven's door.

I have been a nurse for 5 years now. I enjoyed all my jobs except for my current one. Good news is: I only have a week left in this job. I am starting my new job in 2 weeks, different department and different hospital. I understand the feeling of being drained and burned out.. which is why I looked into other jobs. Also, I am leaving the night shift. I want a more normal sleeping cycle. I know the job I am leaving is not the one for me because I dreaded going to work. I had anxiety issues since I worked for this unit. Before this job, I was perfectly fine. I also was sick to my stomach a lot of times which is because of my stress and anxiety. I hope you find that one job for you!

Hello all, I am starting a new job in IR next month and would like some input as to what I should prepare myself for. I have never worked IR before. My background includes: ICU, telemetry, stepdown, med-surg. Anything in particular I should read about before starting? Is there a book I could buy (i.e. IR Nursing For Dummies)? I am excited but also nervous! :) Appreciate all your comments!

I would suggest ICU or critical care if you are aiming for your CRNA. If you decide to be a nurse practitioner, I would suggest starting off at a tele-floor or ER. ICU patients are usually on a monitor and a doctor is usually around. One thing I love about working on a tele floor is that you are able to learn how to work with your patients with the least usage of a monitor. Also, I found that critical thinking skills are enhanced due to the fact that a doctor is usually not around and you have to be able to think quick when a patient starts going downhill.:) Your time management skills will also come into play when working on a floor. We had an ICU nurse one time float to a cardiac stepdown and she ended up walking out, because she said she could not handle 3 patients. This was after she made a med error too.

Has anyone here ever taken the PCCN test? I am aiming to take it this November. The educator at my work said that the failure rate is pretty high! So far, I am using Ann Brorsen's PCCN review book. I also just ordered David Woodruff's PCCN review package. What are the best review materials I can use? Any study/exam tips? Thanks a bunch!