cathlabdino

Great to hear you are following your dream. All the best in the ER!

I was an L&D nurse right out of school. I will never forget the lack of empathy some "seasoned" nurses showed toward the young, lower income girls that came in, pregnant in their early teens. Often, these girls were uncooperative, because they didn't really understand what was going on inside their bodies and were fearful when the nurses went to do a lady partsl exam. I was young and new, and took another approach. I educated the girls, showing them a diagram of how the cervix dilates and explained why it was important for us to know how much it was dilated and how it was thinning, to better anticipate the arrival of their baby. That always seemed to work, and I was successful at the exam. No matter your personal biases, you still have to treat everyone with compassion. So, when you refered to needing empathy, I thought you hit the nail on the head, for this and many other reasons. Of course, that's a huge part of nursing, in all arenas.

I agree with the previous two comments whole-heartedly. For your confidence and your career, it makes sense to get some hospital experience under your belt. It will be a sacrifice, leaving the schedule you have enjoyed, but well worth it. You might even find an area that works primarily M-F, like the cath lab , but that does usually entail call (unless it is primarily a diagnostic lab).

Here's another vote for Danskos...the professional clog, for nursing work. I was on my feet in lead aprons and my feet were always fine. Other footwear just doesn't get it for me. You will pay a bit more for them, but well worth it, in my opinion.

I hear that NJ is happy to hire new grads and will take them over "seasoned" nurses. The hospitals around me are looking for BSN nurses as many are "Magnet" hospitals and need to increase their numbers of BSNs. NJ cost of living is VERY high and taxes are terribly high as well, however. Good luck in your persuit!

I am an RN with over 13 years of hospital experience, mostly in the cardiac cath lab. I have taken some leaves from nursing to care for my kids, and for a three year move to Germany. I came back after 5 years without much difficulty, but most recently, after 6 years away, I can't get anyone to even consider me! I worked in a world class hospital for seven years and then other smaller hospitals and have extensive on-call experience. I know what it is to be a nurse in a high tech environment and having to adapt and multitask non-stop. I realize I may be a little rusty and there are new drugs to learn, but I have been told that in this market, if you have been away from the hospital for a year or two, no one wants to talk to you. I have also applied to other departments, but recruiters have told me they won't even consider me without "recent" experience. I also don't have my BSN, which is another big mark against me. I can: 1. Go back to school and get my BSN. (Very costly, and I am not making an income presently. I will still be an RN without "recent" experience, but may have a little advantage). 2. Take a refresher course with clinical (again, costly...about $1500 and I am STILL an RN without "recent experience"....6 or 8 weeks doesn't count apparently). 3. Continue to apply for "non-hospital" jobs (that generally call for experience, and I am only experienced IN the hospital!) 4. Continue to knock my head against the wall in frustration (it is starting to hurt!) HELP! Am I the only nurse out there in this "black hole"? And they say there is a nursing shortage...not in THIS economy, I guess. I feel like a real "has been" although I am completely convinced I have a lot to offer and truly believe I would assimulate back into the hospital with relative ease. I don't know where to turn.