hbarlow

I have thought through that long and hard and have considered that I can force myself to be a nightshift nurse for a bit longer if it means I meet my ultimate goals. Plus if I truly hate it I can always take the money I've saved (not going out means not spending money haha) and become a wandering nomad- which I have personally always thought to be an underrated career option. But in all seriousness I would try for dayshift but hard work and passion makes a big difference for me. I feel like ICU I could really thrive in because I am already super attentive to my patients (they really like giving me the ones that surprisingly go downhill when the previous shifts say everything is fine- example: recently caught pulmonary edema before the guy coded with a doc fighting me stating he was "just sleepy" even with the evidence- and he was supposed to be my most stable person). Like I said before, I love my coworkers! We are really a team and even when I doubt myself because of a doc or an unruly/truly mean person we are there to support each other. I just hope that whatever unit I end up on the atmosphere is the same. How did you get into ICU? My hospital has an ICU transition program that I was thinking of but don't know how to make myself stand out. I have been doing classes with my work (ACLS, PCRN, WTA, and am about to do PALS). What are the things ICU managers look at when hiring someone? Currently my resume has RN, BSN with 2yrs med/surg (experience with Vents/trachs, palliative care, woundcare- the kind here you see tendons, VO for AMS/Suicide/Homicide), 2yrs PET tech (prior to RN), a decent amount of volunteer work in the community- including sex-ed for the elderly (fun project for school). There is other stuff but that is pretty much the important stuff plus my references are pretty solid. How can I make this more impressive? I feel like it's kinda weak. My unit had a period of time where we had intermediate beds as well but that just meant slightly more work (hr+ long dressing changes, Q1hr eyedrops, lower BP, etc).

Thanks! I'm a little nervous but really know I want to make this change! How did you get into ER? I found that a lot of the applications ask for previous ER experience- which I do not have. I was thinking of emailing the manager of our ER to see about doing some shadowing then applying once our hiring freeze is over. I have been doing classes with my work (ACLS, PCRN, WTA, and am about to do PALS). What are the things ER managers look at when hiring someone? Currently my resume has RN, BSN with 2yrs med/surg (experience with Vents/trachs, palliative care, woundcare- the kind here you see tendons, VO for AMS/Suicide/Homicide), 2yrs PET tech (prior to RN), a decent amount of volunteer work in the community- including sex-ed for the elderly (fun project for school). There is other stuff but that is pretty much the important stuff plus my references are pretty solid. How can I make this more impressive? I feel like it's kinda weak.

I have considered jumping right into public health but really feel like having that hands on experience in the hospital is important. I have done courses at my work- PCRN, WTA, ACLS, and am about to do PALS- but found that getting elbows deep really brings in to life with me. I want to make sure I have the experience so I can really affect people rather than just the knowledge because it's that personal experience that made it more real than the book knowledge. I just never want to do anything half-a$$ed. :)

Hey everyone! So, I have been creeping on this website for ages but this is my first post. I have been a nurse on a med/surg (complex medicine) unit for about 2 years now and am sick of it. I love my coworkers but HATE night shift. Never in my life have I been a night person and I just can't stand it any more! I have become very antisocial in my normal life and don't want to see or talk to anyone- mind you prior to this I was very social and was always outside being active. I am tired all of the time and can't stop falling asleep places. Seriously, I have fallen asleep at dinner out with people, at events, at meetings during the day-time, at friend's houses, etc. It's gotten to a point where they all just accept my sleepiness and let me sleep where I will. I end up getting A LOT of sleep because of this but feel exhausted and I am only in my mid twenties. I realized this all fairly early on so I applied to be moved to dayshift because night is just not for me. The shift itself is fine but my quality of life outside of work has suffered greatly because of it. But alas, we are almost a year away from the point where I submitted my request and the best answer I get is "we're thinking of you!" which doesn't do jack for my current situation. Which brings us to now. I have no idea what I want to do with myself but I know I need out. I kind of want to do ED or ICU - mostly to put myself in a good situation for my future so I can get the jobs I want, once I learn what it is I want to do, and get experience. But I don't want to put myself in a situation where I hate my life for a longer period of time. How should I go about picking a job and finding out what I want to do? I am scared that if I get ED or ICU I will be in over my head and screw myself because I don't have all the information on the situation. Does anyone work in ED/ICU that could give me a dose of reality on it? I am not at a point where I want to work in an infusion clinic or outside the hospital. I feel like someday I want to work in public health because I LOVE education, being creative, motivating others, and being outdoors. But none of that is happening today. :) Thanks!