BadBird

Are you graduating with a BSN or MSN? You will need that for management.

The first year you have so much self doubt, with gained experience comes confidence. After a year you should have developed a better handle on coordinating care, knowing when a patient needs something not ordered by a doctor, etc... Think of it like learning to play an instrument, at first you are learning so many things, your first concert is laughable but after a few years you sound pretty good.

I thought it would never end !!! Of course I had to work full time and raise 2 small children while going through a divorce. Now 11 yrs. later I am back in school for my BSN and I can't wait for it to be over too. One thing I can say is that I never regretted nursing school,no matter how exhausted, keep on going.

I think she did the right thing reporting the DUI, do you want her running into your family and possibly killing them?

If she was really your friend then she would not put you in a situation where you could lose your job and nursing license. Report her, don't feel guilty.

Sounds like normal growing/learning pains. Good luck to you.

Yup, I used all the above. Cerner was my least favorite, it could have been the software purchased though.

Many years ago I was in your shoes, only my ex did not work !!! The best thing I did for myself and kids was divorce him, I never regretted it. My only regret was trying to hold on to a failing marriage. I wish you luck, only you know how much s$$t you will tolerate.

So sorry for you loss. Why not take some time for yourself, grieve however you grieve and don't add any more stress right now. I wish you much success no matter what you decide. Remember, you are never too old for education.

Three 12 hr. shifts are great, but when they mix 8 hrs shifts in and want you to work extra it is a major burn out.

Bring your employee handbook so the judge can read it, probably would not believe you if he did not read it for himself. That is ridiclious! I too work nights and got summoned for Jury duty, I gave a copy of my summons to my employer. I will get paid but have to turn in the $9.00 /day the courts pay me to my employeer for my full salary.

This happens occasionally where I work too. Mgmt. will ask if anyone wants to stay first some do which is a relief but when you are mandated after working a 12 hr. night shift it is just plain unsafe. This is one reason we will never get magnet status.

The best kept secret in Pittsburgh is the VA ! They need 20 nurses to open a new ICU and are willing to train. I think there is a sign on bonus too. If you have your nursing license in any state the VA will honor it so you won't need a PA license unless you want one. Good luck. There are many benefits, tuition repayment is one.

I work for the VA in Pittsburgh, it is the best nursing job I ever had. Pay is good, cost of living raises every year too. Staffing ratio is the best in the city, plenty of equipment and supplies, no more going from one room to another to find a pulse ox cable. They are paying for my BSN now. If I could turn back the clock 15 yrs. I would be making about 25,000. more than I am making now. I say run don't walk to the nearest VA. Good luck to you.

I am going for my BSN now and my employer is paying for it. After graduation I owe them 3 years but I don't plan on going anywhere so I agreed to the contract.

Sounds like you are prejudging the nurses in the unit and looking for an excuse not to take the transfer. If you are as confident as you claim and are willing to learn without labeling your co workers you will do fine. Sounds like you need to do some deep soul searching. Good luck with your decision.

If handled in a professional way for the purpose of teaching and improving a skill I don't object. It is not something that anyone would want done to their child but if your child needed intubation wouldn't you want someone with experience?

I used to work full time for an agency but now work at the VA. I loved working for the agency, great pay, you schedule as much or as little as you want. After 4 1/2 yrs. it slowed a bit in my area and I decided to go a different route. I plan on going back to agency after I finish my committment with BSN school.

I am in a accelerated RN to BSN program now, my understanding of 18month BSN programs required you to already have your RN either by diploma or associate degree.

NO, I would not even consider writing to a prisoner let alone marry one. I think those women have no confidence in themselves, why else whould they choose to go down the gutter.

You knew when you went into nursing that it was a 24 hour operation, 365 days a year. No suprises there, you are new to your unit so naturally you get to work on Christmas. As far as you mother goes, you are on your own. I am not new to nursing buy am low man on the totum pole in my unit so I will also be working Xmas Eve & Xmas .

Your posting strikes a nerve with me. I was a agency nurse in ICU for 4 1/2 years and loved it. I was offered full time positions in every unit I worked. Not all agency nurses are incompetent and believe me plenty of staff nurses need to learn a thing or two. Don't lump all agency nurses together! Your manager has the ability to call the agency and tell them not to send that nurse back and perhaps she should then maybe you will benefit from a experienced agency nurse.

I have worked with both and I hate open visitation ! The patients do not get to rest and when the families finally leave many have told me they were so glad the visitors left. Of course there are exceptions to every rule and we are very accomodating to both patients and families. In my 10 years in ICU I find open visitation counterproductive to healing. FYI there are just as many research articles against it as for it. I guess it just depends on your experiences.

Perhaps the potential employers thought you were overqualified for the position they had. You have an impressive background but not a lot of experience working as a nurse. Why not try agency, then you can get a feel for different hospitals and units and the managers will get to know you and your abilities. Good luck.

The CCU I work in does not have techs, we monitor our own patients, there are central monitors at the nurses station and 2 in our hall, each room has a monitor that will alarm for all patients which is really annoying at times. We are a small 8 bed unit so it is workable but not preferable.