monkiesmom

Change and uncertainty is always hard. Follow your instincts and it will be the right thing. You will always have plus's and minus's but you need to do what is right for you and your family now. Later you may make another choice. But don't miss out on your time with a young child. Do with less if you have to. Never make choices about money. Live within your means and when your children get older and less needy you can have higher goals. You will never loose your skills. Things change on a daily basis. You can always take a nursing refresher when you want to make a change. You will always be a nurse but your kids will grow quickly so being a mom is the most important job. In a large teaching hospital there are multiple opportunities besides floor nursing. Nurses change directions many times through out their careers. This makes them more marketable. Then there are others that are content with working at the bedside. You have choices now and you will years from now. Good Luck

I'm thinking because the meds were in the filing cabinet that perhaps someone thought no one would be able to detect them. I would try and find out who could have access to them (files) Perhaps ask whoever is in charge if you are allowed to view your own files. Have them access them for you if you are not allowed and let them discover the drugs. I am not promoting dishonesty but this but it sounds like you are not sure about going into your files. The cabinet was unlocked. Let sleeping dogs lie. Only you knew you were upset and felt a need to view your file. However, narcs not under lock and key is a no no and if someone is hiding and using this is never a good thing. Good luck:uhoh3:

Nursing has become so specialized now in so many areas. If you enjoy doing what you are doing and it fits with family, hours etc. you are still a nurse but not in a clinical way. You can always rediscover your skills if and when you choose to return to a clinical area. You are young and the oppurtunities are endless. Listen to your gut and you will make the right choice. There are nurses making a difference who have never seen the bedside. Good luck;)

Hang in there. I've been a nurse for a long time and we too get diciplinned for things we have no control of. When you are trying hard to do the best job and then being repremanded it does hurt, especially us people who are sensitive to others needs. Life is not fair and as you get older, you will see it says more about the tattler or persons who misjudge than it says about you. I have just had a personal experience after many years of nursing in which I had to get human services involved. While there are never any winners I did not feel vindicated because a very young "slick" manager who has a gift for manipulation and all the "right" answers. The HR mediator was trying to be fair but my manager has all the tricks. My suggestion is keep up the good work, believe in who you are and what you know and surround yourself with positive people. The first couple of years are a tuff learning experience and you will be learning things every day years from now. Its true people can be targeted but being a new nurse you have not had time to realize this. Remember, you are there for the patient and you will be working for or around moral busters in this complicated career so be true to yourself and you will find your way. PS. There are also a lot of great nurses who will support you and have experienced similiar situations. I've been there!