SRQ5417

I've been working as a Cardiac PCU Nurse for 3 1/2 years, and I've been thinking about trying the ER. I've recently been offered an ER position but the shift is 3pm to 3am and I'm used to a 7am to 7pm shift. I applied for a 10am to 10pm shift, but the nurse who is working the 3pm to 3am shift now in the ER wanted the 10am to 10pm shift. So, I can take the 3pm to 3am shift in hopes to jump into an earlier shift when one open up or I can stay working as a Cardiac PCU Nurse. I like my schedule, my co-workers, and my director on PCU. Plus, I know what I'm doing there and am one of the lead nurses. I think working 7am to 7pm is good for my husband and I, but 3 days a week is 3 days a week no? I'm having a very hard time with this decision. I'll have to start from the beginning. I did always want to try ER but I am worried what the change in time will affect me. My director now said I can always come back, so I'm thinking no risk. I can always try it to see if it's for me, and if it's not I can always go back. I know it's ultimately my decision, but and input?

Which did you go with? I recently lost my Littmann Cardiology III steth at work. No idea what I did with it. Usually I take it off my neck when I get tired of it and put it on my computer (C.O.W.). But, when a doctor asked me to borrow my steth because he left his in his car, I went to reach for it, and it wasn't there. Then, I couldn't find it anywhere. It has my name on it, but it hasn't turned up. Anyway, I was thinking of getting the Littmann Classic III instead because of the price. I'm a cardiac progressive care nurse (maybe I'll go to the E.R. eventually), and I would like to hear breath sounds, murmurs, and AFIB accurately. Not to mention N.G. tube placements and fistulas. Do you think the Littman Classic III would suffice?

I'm happy, I'm not the only new nurse that has problems with IV starts. I've been on my own since mid-November, and find starting IVs the most daunting part of my job. Granting I'm sure there are many things I can get better at, but starting IVs is the most frustrating. I cringe when I know I have to try to put one in. After I try twice without success, I dread the thought of having to find someone to help because this is something I should be able to do myself! I did get one without supervision, which built my confidence a bit, but it was knocked back down in the last two shifts. I'm wondering if its just practice, practice, practice, or if there is something I'm doing wrong. I think I'm going to try the book recommended by iluvivt. Rachel10609, how have your IV skills developed so far?

It's super overwhelming. I'm in my 7th day of my preceptorship, and I gave a pt. a flu shot, and she got a fever. At first I didn't think the flu shot could of caused the fever since the temp was taken just after administration. I thought developing a fever after a flu shot would take a little time. Therefore I didn't share it with my preceptor or the PA. They did know I gave it, but I wish I thought of it when asked "What could have caused the fever?". I feel so dumb! I'm battling nerves and being a novice. I want to be a great nurse, and hopefully I'll get there.

i too am an introvert and will begin nursing school in august. i think i will make a great rn and am excited to follow my dream to become a nurse. however, i hope my introverted nature will not hinder my success. i too hate it when people tell me how quiet i am. i feel insulted and it makes me feel like insulting them in return (we're all not perfect). what's wrong with being quiet? i speak up when necessary, and have given presentations. i'm just not good with small chit chat unless it's on a one-on-one setting. it was refreshing to read all the comments. good luck to all us introverts!

i was about to make a similar post, and i'm happy to hear that there are those in a similar position that i am. i was in a corporate marketing career and a few months ago i obtained a radio advertising sales to be able to move in with my fiancé. we were doing the long distance thing for too long. i first thought of a nursing career about six or so years ago as i'd like to make a difference, am a caring person and like learning about health related topics. however, at that time i was half way through a master’s in marketing and had a secure marketing job, so i thought i'd just see the marketing thing through. now, i can't stand radio sales and am considering a nursing career again. calling businesses on a daily basis for them to advertise on the radio does not exactly drive me and i don't see how it benefits society. frankly, i hate it. i found out the hard way that i'm not a sales person. i'm currently volunteering at the er in a local hospital four hours a week and plan to start my pre-reqs in the fall. i'm currently looking for a part-time job to get me through my pre-reqs. the only thing that concerns me is that i want to get an "a" on all my pre-reqs to increase my chances in getting in the accelerated bsn program in the fall of 2012, and i think a part-time job might get in the way. thus, i'm thinking of loans. i don't have a large amount of expenses and have money saved, but still it will put me in debt. also i'll be 32 when i start my pre-reqs in the fall and 34 1/2 when i finish my bsn. this shouldn't bother me, but it does a bit. i just feel i should have found my career path by now. it feels good to vent. has anyone gone through a similar career change and have any additional advice?