Nurse Lizzy

Good morning fellow nurses, I am in need of some advice/support. I feel as if I am at a crossroads in my life. I graduated nursing school in 2018 and worked in a rehabilitation facility and had 3 hospice beds in my unit in which I also cared for. After 6 months of being there I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. While being pregnant I found hospice to be a bit too much emotionally for me to handle. In my search for a new job I was approached by a pediatric office which seemed wonderful as I was pregnant with my first child and I had the opportunity to be around little ones in an office setting. I was there until I delivered. Once my maternity leave was over my position was furloughed due to Covid. Being out of work for another 5 months I was called back and decided it would be best for me to stay home and raise my daughter. I have been home for 2 years now and I miss the nursing field and most of all I miss my patients. We have recently moved and I didn’t realize my resume was still on indeed. I received a call from a well known nursing agency and even though I was not looking for work at the time they pursued me to onboard with them. They explained in how I could make my own hours and work only when I wanted to. It sounded perfect! I could work on days my husband is off and still be home with my daughter most of the time. Fast forward a month I went through all their training and medical clearance and I was all set to go. Upon going to my first meet and greet with a client I walked into a nightmare. Within 20 minutes of being there I was on the phone with 911. The patient was a preme with a trach her 02 sat had declined rapidly and the nurse that was on that shift was shaking and kept saying she doesn’t know what to do. I jumped in and had to manually ambu the baby until the ambulance came as her 02 tank was empty!! Thank goodness we were able to keep her stable until they arrived but being a nurse who has been out of work for over 2 years this was a very scary experience. I did not feel prepared. They told me this was a very basic case - it was not. I have spoke to other nurses from the agency and this seems to be the norm. They lie to the nurses about the severity of the cases. I didn’t feel comfortable as I would be alone with this patient so I told them I would not be taking this case. When I was in a facility at least you had other nurses to help you in the crisis. That being said I put in my resignation yesterday. In the back of my mind, I feel like a failure but I know an unsafe work environment is not worth losing my license. I feel like I have not found my nitch in nursing. Sometimes I wonder if I am even suppose to be a nurse. I never thought it would be this hard to find a job that I truly enjoy and feel comfortable with. Being in the house for so long I was really looking forward to doing this for me. My husband thinks it’s best for me to just stay home with my daughter until she starts school. I’m starting to think he’s right I just have worked so hard for my degree and feel like it’s going to waste. I just feel lost and confused. Please no unkind comments looking for support and advice. Thank you all.

Thank you so much for the information I will read up on it! Its nice to know they offer great support, that is important with an online program. I am really looking forward to continuing my education.

Wow didn't expect that! I was just asking if anyone knew of any good affordable schools. I am not going into a masters program just for the sake of going. My dream is to be a nurse practitioner so I am going to school for my masters eventually anyway. Thanks for your assumption though.

Hi all I am in my last year of nursing school and they have suggested we start looking now for continuing education programs. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a good online program? I would ultimately like to do RN to MSN but am not against doing a RN to BSN program. I am also looking for a school that's affordable. Any suggestions that you have are appreciated. Thanks!

Im sorry but I don't see at all how this is the same circumstance at all. I am having an issue with a skill not the actual nursing material. This has nothing to do with my boards since I am still in school. So you are saying I should give up my passion for nursing and just cut my losses instead of working harder next time? Im must respectfully say this is terrible advice.

Thank you Yelhsa. I know you are probably right. God timing is always best even though it may not be the timing we want. I am hoping to use this time to review the material over and over again and kick some butt next semester!

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. It is a horrible feeling but we will both get through this. I am sorry for your set back as well. I know how you feel. We just need to keep pushing forward.

Thank you all for your support and advice. I truly do appreciate all the comments. Some days I want to keep going and wait to finish and others I am just so confused if this is the right career for me. This whole situation is still new and I have some adjusting to do. I know in my heart that I am suppose to be a nurse. I guess I am just hurting right now. Time heals all so I can use this time to get back on track.

Thanks I can use all the hugs I can get.

So here I am 6 months away from graduation being told I have to drop the class and retake it because I failed my foley critical element 3x. I kept breaking sterility by touching the draping. I practiced it so many times, I don't know what happened. I truly believe my nerves got the best of me. I feel as if my world just crashed down around me. Never in a million years did I think this could have happened. I have been working towards my Associates nursing degree for 6 years because I work full time. I am so mad at myself, I should have gotten more help from the practice lab. My average in the class was good too! ugh and the worst part is my school only offers this class in evenings again next fall so I can't even take it for the upcoming spring semester. I have to wait almost a year to take it again. So here I am going on year 7 for a 2 year degree. The only option I have is to take a pharmacology class this spring needed for my bachelors so I don't waste a semester. I have met with the chairperson of my nursing department at school after this happened for a meeting. I pleaded with them that I would take any help and do whatever it takes to stay in the course since my grades are good. They said they have heard nothing but wonderful things about me from my clinical professors but they are sorry and feel terrible but there is nothing they can do since it is their policy to dismiss a student if a critical element is failed 3x. I am contemplating going into another field because I feel so bitter and discouraged. Maybe I don't have what it takes to be a nurse. I just don't know anymore. I am tired and burnt out. Nursing school has been my life for the past 6 years of my life. I feel totally lost right now. I would really appreciate and helpful advice. No discouraging comments please this is a very hard time for me.

St. Pauls is a lot closer for me. To travel after a long day of work really can take a toll on me. Plus at St pauls I can do full time nights at CUNY they only have a few night classes. But with the reviews being what they are im a little freaked out with putting all my money on the line.

Hi all I am currently enrolled in a CUNY school for nursing and was thinking of transfering to St. Pauls Queens Campus. I have seen so many mixed reviews that I am now comfused. I do work full time and I know going to St Pauls would be alot plus the tuition is through the roof. Is it really worth it? Any help would be grealty appreciated.