babowman3RN

Thanks for your reply! I figured I'd need to go to a Peds floor to just get Peds experience. But I guess maybe not? Just because I know the med calculations are tedious and kids can have different signs/symptoms than adults. But, maybe I can go into PICU! I love cardiac care so maybe PCIVCU! =) Thanks again! Looking forward to my transition in the near future.

Hello all, I'm going to be brutally honest here and I don't want any negative comments. I'm here for insight. I'm a 2yr exp PCU (more ICU just without vents) nurse. We are a high acute PCU, pulling sheaths, titrate neo, levo, nitro, cardizem, etc., also post open heart unit (usually 2 days post op) with a ration of 5:1. Oh and I do charge, with full teams... I'm young. I'm 23. I worked as a CNA since I was almost 18 as I was going to school. Waayyy back when I was super young, I've always wanted to be a nurse and always wanted to do pediatric nursing. I acutally imagined myself working at St. Jude. But in nursing school something happened, and I didn't want to do it anymore. I think they scared me. But now, working in this busy acute PCU with these adults, these grown adults on disability who walk and talk better than I do, loving their "di-la-la", endocarditis pts from IV drug use that we do valve replacements for, then OF COURSE aren't compliant post op and develop pneumonia, pleural effusions, DVTs, etc (oh and it's OUR fault), it's exhausting. It's frustrating. And just down right p*sses me off every single day. Over the past year I've been thinking about peds. Now before any smarty pants pipes up and says "you have to deal with the same things in peds too! Drug addict parents, kinds trying to kill themselves, etc"...I know. But. My heart breaks for sick children. They can't help mom and dad abused drugs or drank or smoked, and now they are paying the consequences. They can't help they have cancer. They can't help a lot of these things. And I have SO MUCH compassion for the little troopers. And that they are. They are so resilient. However, I can shunt my emotions as well as not to get too emotional. A friend of a friend is a peds nurse. She told me a story of how a little boy she was taking care of came out of surgery and she asked him if he wanted pain medicine. He said so cute "Um no ma'am. I think all I need is just some chocolate pudding." OMG how darling! So what do you think? How difficult would it be for me to get into Peds? I'm working on my BSN now and PCCN certification. I'll need PALS too, I know. But can anyone share a similar experience? Were any one of you an adult nurse, then go into Peds? Or vice versa? Just looking for info and conversation. Thanks!

I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday as a CNA. 12h shifts. That's considered full time. And went to school M-Th. With an hour drive one way. You do what you have to do. Simple as that.

Hello all fellow nurses!I'm a relatively new nurse with almost 1yr experience in Tele and Cardiac Step Down. I'm VERY interested in traveling, always have been. I live in FL and for my first assignment or 2 I'm wanting some local contracts. But! I'm having a hard time with ALL the agencies. =( I'm interested so far in American Traveler, RN Network, Intelistaff and Sunbelt...not really narrowed down, huh? Lol. Anyways, I know this question is asked a lot but I kinda want some updated info. Has anyone travelled with these companies and/or other ones? What kind of information should I ask the recruiters when I talk to them? I'm wanting to get all of this down so therefore when my 1 year mark hits in just a few months, I can already have a clear picture and get the ball rolling. I'm one who likes to plan ahead of time, research, make lists of Pro's and Con's, research some more, make more lists, etc, before making a big decision. ;-) I'm a dork, I know. Any info would be fantastic! Thanks so much!!!

Yes, Always, Usually, Sometimes, and Never are the answer choices. I think it is absurd because of course "Always" is the right answer. Which is all just a scheme becuase NOTHING is ever ALWAYS! Ugh, this is why I'm more and more disgusted with heathcare and this career. All this government and politics has drove nursing into the ground. Basically, if you want better scores? Hire more nurses and give us less patients.

Simonemyheart....I feel the exact same way you do. Word for word.