Sugamama

I bought that book (although, in its amazon kindle form, something I now regret) and I found it irritating that it doesn't differentiate between CPAN and CAPA questions. I have only ever worked PACU Phase I. Does anybody know of a book that has review questions specific and exclusive to CPAN?

Thanks for the advice! I spoke to my manager and she seemed to understand where I was coming from; she even spoke to the PACU manager on my behalf! I am now counting down the number of shifts until I transfer to PACU...CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!

I will never appreciate PACU so much as I will now that I have left and worked in ICU (in two different hospitals/states, for that matter.) Nothing makes you realize how good you had it like letting it go and having the patient on the oscillator with three vasopressors on maximum rate (only one left to go!), xigris, maxed out on propofol as well as versed (and still, miraculously, attempting to breathe spontaneously) a bicarb gtt, and four antibiotics all timed to be given simultaneously, stool the bed at the exact time your new admission arrives from the emergency department in respiratory failure without even ONE working IV.......but, enough of that...I will soon be back to PACU...and I promise NEVER to take it for granted again :heartbeat But, I know that rant of mine doesn't take away from the fact that it wasn't right, DEFINITELY not safe, for you to be left alone with any patient in PACU, let alone one that was still intubated. The standard in any PACU should be two RNs at all times; that's just ASPAN standards talking!

I just recently moved to another state and, therefore, had to start a new position at a new hospital. I started June 1st of this year and knew practically immediately that the position wasn't for me. I saw that the PACU in the hospital in which I currently work has two full-time positions posted. I worked PACU for 2.5 years before my move and now work ICU. I went straight to my current ICU manager on August 26th to discuss my desire to transfer to PACU. She and I actually had a nice discussion and she seemed to hear me. She even called the PACU manager to speak to her about a possible transfer. I was interviewed by the PACU manager, and offered the position. Everyone agreed to let me transfer early (they usually want you to work at least 6 months to a year before being eligible for transfer to another unit.) When I interviewed, the PACU manager informed me that my current manager wants me to finish out the schedule through November 5th. I thought that 10 weeks seemed a little excessive to wait for transfer; but, figured that my manager was doing me somewhat of a favor by letting me transfer this early in the game anyway, so I figured I would just suck it up and ride it out. Now I come to hear, from ANOTHER coworker, that she is thinking of making me stay another 6 weeks on top of the 10 she had already planned on me staying. Is this fair?? I know I need to speak to the PACU manager, as well as my current manager, to find out definitively what their plan is for me; but, I just found out about this and right now I feel so completely out of control of my own career and it's making me really upset. I HATE working in ICU and can barely stand the foreboding feeling I have day in and day out just trying to survive shift after shift. Has anyone ever encountered this before?

Alright; so, I know I've said this before but I MUST GET BACK TO PACU!! I just need some advice (maybe just some amping up...I'm not exactly sure.) I was a PACU RN for 2.5 years before changing over to the ICU for 6 months before moving across the country to be with my military man and now I have been working nights in ICU for two and a half months here. I left PACU just to gain experience for CRNA school; something I thought I wanted to do and have since decided to forego. I have been trying to 'stick it out' because I'm just going to end up having to move again in about a year from now (gotta love the Army!); but, I just can't stand it anymore! My dilemma is this: there are two full-time PACU positions available at the hospital in which I currently work. I desperately want to apply; but, the employee handbook states that they "recommend spending at least one year in your hired position before requesting transfer to another unit." I can't apply without my Manager finding out and I'm, honestly, a total wuss; not to mention I'm afraid of the wrath that may be afflicted upon me should other members of the ICU team find out what I'm up to. What should I do?! Oh, I think it's also important to note that I applied for a PACU position at a neighboring (competing) hospital over a week ago and haven't heard anything back from them (and they have since removed the job posting from their website.) Any thoughts??

I left PACU to go to ICU just three months ago. I was so rearing to get there because I was seriously considering becoming a CRNA (and still am, though maybe not as seriously.) I have to say, I didn't think I would be so miserable! I've examined the reasons for my misery and have narrowed it down to all the ancillary stuff that pulls me in a million directions (most of which are away from the actual patient care) so, I don't think it's just the learning curve. I've been a nurse for 4 years, 2.5 of which I spent in PACU. I'm pretty certain I could get my PACU position back, seeing as they are still looking for people to fill my, and another RN's, positions recently left open; however, I will probably be moving later this year. How would it look to future employers to see that I only spent 3 months in ICU before transferring back? Anybody been where I am? Any advice?

Thanks!

I am currently working towards my ultimate goal of becoming a CRNA. I originally completed a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Psychology before immediately obtaining my Associate's Degree in Nursing. Since then I have worked on the Surgical floor for a year, in a Clinic for a few months, PACU for 2.5 years, and just recently began working in the Intensive Care Unit (for the sole purpose of getting experience required for most CRNA programs.) My undergraduate GPA was a mere 2.8, while my ADN GPA was a 3.0. Most, but not all, CRNA programs that I have looked into require a BSN. Since my GPA thusfar is not going to cut it for admissions for the few schools that will accept a bachelor's degree in another science, I am planning on getting my BSN through an online RN-BSN program. My question is this: does it really matter from what school I get my BSN? I want to be as marketable as possible so that I have my choice of programs, and I want to make certain that I choose an online program wisely. Thank you for reading! (Sorry I am so verbose...) ~SM