SKIteleRN

Thanks for the advice!! I agree, a full time position would be most ideal, but after letting the thoughts stew for a week or so, I am becoming a bit more optimistic about the idea of agency work -though I've done mostly dayshift in the past, I think I'm gonna start back on nights until I get my feet back under me a bit more. Meanwhile, I'll continue to push for a full time position somewhere - I just can't wait months and months for that to come along sadly.. NedRN - that's a good point about the nurse:pt ratios for CA, I know a bit about it, and am very curious to see how that plays out on the floors. I have heard that its 1:5 med/surg, and 1:4 tele? I wonder if those ratios are the same for nights? Bronte0 - I really appreciate your encouragment, I like the bit about having a big smile and faking a positive attitude - that can go a long way towards convincing yourself and others! I just have to keep reminding myself that I am a great nurse, I know what I am doing, and I will not be afraid to ask abut how things are done on all new, unfamiliar units!

Hi, I am looking for some advice from anyone experienced in agency work. I had been a staff RN on a Medical Telemetry unit for about 2.5 years, but then left that job about 9 months ago after experiencing some pretty severe burnout. After taking most of this year away from nursing, I am feeling somewhat ready to go back to it, but have reservations. I now live in a new state (CA), and after waiting months and months for my license to finally be endorsed, I now have it and am ready to move forward. I have applied to many hospital positions in the last few weeks, but have not heard back. I am considering agency work to bridge the time period until I find a perm position. The agency I spoke with sounds like they are ready to put me on the floor in just a few days (a little too eager??). I just have a lot of anxiety about 1. going back to the floor in general, 2. going back with minimal training/orientation. My husband is encouraging me to give it a try because we are starting to struggle financially, but even the thought of doing one shift flat out terrifies me - not knowing the unit, the staff, what type of floor I'd be on, being out of practice, etc... So, any agency nurses out there have some thoughts or advice on the situation?? I would really appreciate some feedback!