cag01

Hello, I am in need of some advice from any CRNA's or students please. Ever since nursing school I had set in my mind that advancing in my education past a bachelors degree is a must! After my OR rotation and a PRN job at a surgical center I have found interest in anesthesia. The type of work, environment, critical thinking, patient ratio, and autonomy is what really caught my attention. Unfortunately, my undergraduate GPA is not at a competitive level it is currently at a 3.0 (I had to work a full time job throughout school). I have 3 years PICU experience and am currently studying for the GRE. Since I am aware of my academic status I applied to our local NP program and have been accepted. I was hoping that taking some of the NP courses would help me show my current academic level/knowledge/commitment to my education. However, if this will not be of any help I would not want to put in effort or time into an NP program. I have had some suggestions to just stick with NP since its still in the nursing field and also a prestigious job, but I feel that if I am going to spend 2-3 years committed to school once again might as well go BIG (CRNA). This is where I am stuck in a bind should I pursue this NP program to improve my CRNA application and if I am not accepted just stay with NP? Also, the NP program here at my local town would cost me a quarter of what CRNA school would cost. I guess I just want the dream job where I will be doing what I love plus have financial comfort and time to spend with love ones.

I thought about this also, I figuared my family already went out of their way to help and are more than willing to then why not? I always thought in order to make money you need to invest money, this would be like an investment for a better job oppurtunity that can also help my future. I know its not the best way to invest my money, it can definitely go elsewhere and build interest instead of being given to a hospital. But everything happens for a reason this is a lesson learned, and these job oppurtunities came up for a reason. Which is best for me? I dont know yet but I dont have much time left to decide. Hahah cool.. this thread was my first posting as well! Welcome:)

The year she wants me to wait is not including the time I have already been at this hospital its a year from now. So it would be until August 2012. But other than the time I have to wait you are right.

Really!? Well thats good to hear! I hadnt heard from a PICU nurse. I hope so, the information I have about this PICU is from a friend that currently works there, but I will have to probably find out on my own. Thanks for the advice!:)

I completely agree with you! Thats how I feel, I want to love where I am at and look forward to learning and getting new experience. I am just not too sure if 8800 is worth my desire to move jobs. I believe it will, I am more scared in disappointing my family if it doesnt turn out as planned. I am glad you can relate to my situation at the moment, your opinion defintely helped!:)

I tried transferring to the ICU at the current hospital where I am at and they want me to wait a year to transer units. Unfortunately that is not an option. I see your guys point on paying all that money to the hospital especially since that money is coming from family. I would be taking the risks of not even enjoying the unit or just things can turn out bad for me. On the other hand I am completely optimistic and believe ICU is going to be good for me and definitely make me feel passionate about my job. I feel that I will have a good turn out in that unit. I have tonight to sleep on it, which is exactly what I will do and hopefully make the best decision for myself and family. Thanks guys you were all very helpful!!:)

Thanks all! This is all advice I am definitely going to take into consideration. My heart is set on ICU, but sometimes I believe you have to sacrifice. I'll have to see if this sacrifice will be worth it to me on the long run. The whole financial thing is the part that is really holding me back, although my support system is willing to help I dont know if I am willing to impose such a burden on them.

Very true! I am sure PICU would make my applications for another ICU position that much easier to obtain. I guess my main concern is that this PICU doesnt really have trauma or post surgery other than your minor surgeries. I am glad to have your opinion on this! You wouldnt think I am hurting my oppurtunity in working in the ICU though if I decline?

Yes I would have to pay it all at once:( My mother has 5000 she is willing to help me with and my boyfriend has 2000 to help with I just have to pay the difference of 1800. Which isnt too bad but is still a lot of money. This other hospital will be giving me 5000 if I accept the ICU position for 2 years, but after my orientation period is done and they pay only 650 quarterly. I was thinking of using that money to pay my mother back and with montly payments to my boyfriend as well. They both advise me to do what will make me happy and what I think is best. Which is great but it hasnt eased my dilemma. Thank you for your response! Very appreciated!

Hello everyone! I am currently a NICU nurse and have been so for about 7 months. This was not my first choice of unit but the other units I was eager to work in were not hiring at the time or only taking experienced RN's. Through these past months I have not been happy in the unit I am at. It's not just the nursing work it self I am not enjoying but the people that are working there (very immature and tense between co-workers) and some of the policies that are on being newly enforced seem to be taking away from our nursing judgment, skills, and independedence. I am not meaning to demean NICU, I must say it is a tough place to work at where you must be on your toes and be extra cautious about anything you do. There are definitely great nurses out there who are helping these little ones survive and have a good life to look forward to. This type of work is not for everyone and I believe in my case its best if I change environments. I think I am not going to grow as a nurse and learn to be the best I can be if I am not enjoying what I am doing. I am currently planning to pursue CRNA school maybe even medical school. This next semester I am enrolled in school so take some prerequisites that I am missing and am starting to study for the GRE. I unfortunately signed a 2 year contract at the hospital I am currently at and will have to pay back 8800 if I leave the hospital. I have been offered a full time position in ICU at another local hospital and at PCIU at the same hospital where I currently work at. If I stay at PICU I will not be breaking the contract and will be trained and oriented to the unit. The director of this unit was my mentor during orientation and we built a bond and is aware of my situation which is why I am probably having this oppurtunity offered by her now that she is losing a senior nurse. Although I am interested in PICU and believe I will enjoy working with a new set of people I think I am torn between this offer and the one at ICU. This PICU is generally slow right now max of 7 patients or so and their usual patient is either CP or seizures, and the hospital where the ICU is at has recently been changed to a level 2 trauma and is usually working 14 nurses meaning they usually have a good census. When I was oriented the director was very nice and seemed very eager to bring me on board and train me. He did not at all seem concerned about my nursing work experience I had, which was just NICU. I was peer interviewed by 5 other nursing staff and it went great! They all seem to love where they work and seem very knowledgeable about what they do. I honestly would chose ICU with out a doubt if I wasnt going to need to pay back this money and if I didnt have a good relationship with the staff in PICU. Not to mention I feel I will learn more and better prepare my self for which ever program I am accepted to. I need to respond to both offers by monday can anyone help me? Or give advice on what I should do? Thanks guys!!:)

Hello everyone! I am currently a NICU nurse and have been so for about 7 months. This was not my first choice of unit but the other units I was eager to work in were not hiring at the time or only taking experienced RN's. Through these past months I have not been happy in the unit I am at. It's not just the nursing work it self I am not enjoying but the people that are working there (very immature and tense between co-workers) and some of the policies that are on being newly enforced seem to be taking away from our nursing judgment, skills, and independedence. I am not meaning to demean NICU, I must say it is a tough place to work at where you must be on your toes and be extra cautious about anything you do. There are definitely great nurses out there who are helping these little ones survive and have a good life to look forward to. This type of work is not for everyone and I believe in my case its best if I change environments. I think I am not going to grow as a nurse and learn to be the best I can be if I am not enjoying what I am doing. I am currently planning to pursue CRNA school maybe even medical school. This next semester I am enrolled in school so take some prerequisites that I am missing and am starting to study for the GRE. I unfortunately signed a 2 year contract at the hospital I am currently at and will have to pay back 8800 if I leave the hospital. I have been offered a full time position in ICU at another local hospital and at PCIU at the same hospital where I currently work at. If I stay at PICU I will not be breaking the contract and will be trained and oriented to the unit. The director of this unit was my mentor during orientation and we built a bond and is aware of my situation which is why I am probably having this oppurtunity offered by her now that she is losing a senior nurse. Although I am interested in PICU and believe I will enjoy working with a new set of people I think I am torn between this offer and the one at ICU. This PICU is generally slow right now max of 7 patients or so and their usual patient is either CP or seizures, and the hospital where the ICU is at has recently been changed to a level 2 trauma and is usually working 14 nurses meaning they usually have a good census. When I was oriented the director was very nice and seemed very eager to bring me on board and train me. He did not at all seem concerned about my nursing work experience I had, which was just NICU. I was peer interviewed by 5 other nursing staff and it went great! They all seem to love where they work and seem very knowledgeable about what they do. I honestly would chose ICU with out a doubt if I wasnt going to need to pay back this money and if I didnt have a good relationship with the staff in PICU. Not to mention I feel I will learn more and better prepare my self for which ever program I am accepted to. I need to respond to both offers by monday can anyone help me? Or give advice on what I should do? Thanks guys!!:)

Hello everyone! I am currently a NICU nurse and have been so for about 7 months. This was not my first choice of unit but the other units I was eager to work in were not hiring at the time or only taking experienced RN's. Through these past months I have not been happy in the unit I am at. It's not just the nursing work it self I am not enjoying but the people that are working there (very immature and tense between co-workers) and some of the policies that are on being newly enforced seem to be taking away from our nursing judgment, skills, and independedence. I am not meaning to demean NICU, I must say it is a tough place to work at where you must be on your toes and be extra cautious about anything you do. There are definitely great nurses out there who are helping these little ones survive and have a good life to look forward to. This type of work is not for everyone and I believe in my case its best if I change environments. I think I am not going to grow as a nurse and learn to be the best I can be if I am not enjoying what I am doing. I am currently planning to pursue CRNA school maybe even medical school. This next semester I am enrolled in school so take some prerequisites that I am missing and am starting to study for the GRE. I unfortunately signed a 2 year contract at the hospital I am currently at and will have to pay back 8800 if I leave the hospital. I have been offered a full time position in ICU at another local hospital and at PCIU at the same hospital where I currently work at. If I stay at PICU I will not be breaking the contract and will be trained and oriented to the unit. The director of this unit was my mentor during orientation and we built a bond and is aware of my situation which is why I am probably having this oppurtunity offered by her now that she is losing a senior nurse. Although I am interested in PICU and believe I will enjoy working with a new set of people I think I am torn between this offer and the one at ICU. This PICU is generally slow right now max of 7 patients or so and their usual patient is either CP or seizures, and the hospital where the ICU is at has recently been changed to a level 2 trauma and is usually working 14 nurses meaning they usually have a good census. When I was oriented the director was very nice and seemed very eager to bring me on board and train me. He did not at all seem concerned about my nursing work experience I had, which was just NICU. I was peer interviewed by 5 other nursing staff and it went great! They all seem to love where they work and seem very knowledgeable about what they do. I honestly would chose ICU with out a doubt if I wasnt going to need to pay back this money and if I didnt have a good relationship with the staff in PICU. Not to mention I feel I will learn more and better prepare my self for which ever program I am accepted to. I need to respond to both offers by monday can anyone help me? Or give advice on what I should do? Thanks guys!!:)