RNin

I became a nurse in 2012 with the intention of becoming a CRNA. I worked in Med/Surg, a Medical ICU Stepdown and CVICU. While in CVICU, I intended to apply for a CRNA program after one year. I eventually applied to one CRNA program and thought that if I was accepted then I'd go and if not, then it was not meant to be. While waiting for the decision, I began having second thoughts about the stress and pressure of school without any income. After 6 months and no response, I started to look at other graduate programs in nursing. I eventually decided to pursue Informatics and got a position in Health Informatics. While in my new role, I was called for an interview to the CRNA program. I did not want to pass up the opportunity to potentially become a CRNA and went into the interview with the intention of attending if I was accepted as I knew I would regret passing up the opportunity. Fortunately, I was accepted in the the program. My question is, do I go back into the ICU to help maintain my clinical skills and increase my critical thinking of critically ill patients or just pick up a per diem in the ICU for the same purpose? I have my CCRN and two years of CVICU experience. I don't want to enter the program next year looking incompetent during clinical from the time away from bedside. I understand going back to the ICU would be ideal but I do not want to pick up a position in ICU and leave within a year. Please help!

I recently applied to a position at the VA. The application status currently says "reviewed". Does that basically mean I don't qualify for it and will not be referred?

Hey, I too moved to west Texas to get some experience and just recently got a job in DE. It is definitely easier getting a position here after a year experience. Where in west Texas are you?

Ordered "Move Yourself" and should receiving it anytime now. Hoping for an interesting read as I have started to go back to the gym a couple of months ago.

I will be starting on 4/8.

Thank you for your helpful information and advice. I have created a template for APA and looking to begin my personal philosophy of nursing.

I'm currently enrolled in N3645 and would like to meet others who are taking the course as well. Hopefully this thread can be of help for those in the course as well as informative for those looking to take the course in the future. I never written in APA and I'm currently working on week 2's assignment. Would anyone know if we're allowed to use first person in our paper? In one of the slides it states to use third person for APA papers. Also, are we required to have an abstract for our first paper?

That's unbelievable! I guess I shouldn't complain after seeing that kind of benefits. I was just comparing to friends who are working out of state and pay only $59 biweekly for benefits that are 10 times better. They only pay $10 copays for primary and $25 for specialist. Their dental are covered at 80% and above.

I currently work for a county hospital and feel like the medical benefits here are very expensive. I pay $200 bi-weekly for my family and have copays of $25 for primary and $50 for specialist. Dental benefits are virtually non-existent with a tier type of coverage. The first $150 is covered 100%, the next $350 is covered 80% and then 50% for the next $1000. I just want to know what other hospitals in Texas are like. Am I at the high end of benefits? I feel like a big chuck of my paycheck goes to benefits.

I'd like to, first, thank the AN community for all the helpful information and for taking the time to read this entry. I am currently working on a med/surg unit that is very busy with admissions and discharges. We see everything from GSW to MVA to amputations to gastrectomy. I am on my last week of a 6 week orientation and I feel very nervous about being on my own. I know I technically will never be alone because everyone on the unit is extremely helpful. I sometimes feel like I am beginning to feel comfortable and then I have days where I feel like I don't know anything. My main worries are forgetting to perform something and not having the "safety net" of a preceptor to catch it. Another concern is not having the necessary knowledge to provide the care needed for my patients. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated. Is this a normal feeling to have?

She maybe busy and you should leave her a message along with a reply to her email. If you want to be persistent, you can continue to call her till she answers. Best times to get them are probably first thing in the morning or right after lunch.

I have no insight on nursing in Texas as I'm a new grad starting work next week. Just glad to see a fellow New Jerseyan in Texas. I don't know about el paso but I love it here in Lubbock. No traffic, great people and a city with a small town feel.

I went on an interview at Fort Duncan and was offered the position with 24k sign on bonus but the pay was something like $21.39 with $2.00 night differential. Had to sign a 2 year commitment, 7:1 patient:nurse ratio, 4 or 5 day work week, 99% spanish speaking patients and short orientation. Liked the idea of learning Spanish as it would come in handy in this profession. The area is like a completely different world with everything within a short distance away. Not much to do around there with San Antonio being the closest city at 2.5 hour drive. Definitely a better option than being jobless but it definitely was my very last resort if I couldn't land another job. Piedras Nigras is the city across the border and there are occasional shootouts there. Don't want to discourage you in seeking Fort Duncan out but just informing you of my experience.

TX - post surgical

A little history about myself: I am a new grad with no prior medical experience from NJ seeking to relocate to Texas. My career goal is to be in ICU but feel that I want to build my nursing foundation before jumping into ICU. I have interviewed and accepted a position in a Post Surgical/Med-Surg Unit at a teaching facility. I love the staff at the hospital and feel as if everyone is there to help. Today, I received an opportunity to interview at JPS Health in Fort Worth, TX. It's in a step down unit for the ICU. The pay would be $3 more an hour. If anyone has had experience in this unit or hospital, please offer some information about working at JPS. Orientation is only 8 weeks for this unit which seems to be a little low for a unit with vents and potent drips. I am very happy to accept my current position that I would start next month but do not want to regret not taking an opportunity to work at JPS. Which position would be best for wanting to be in the ICU in the future?