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You should defintiely leave that job. Burns are painful physically, psychologically and emotionally. To consider the fact that your patients aren't damaged enough to keep you interested in them is a sad statement. To this seasoned nurse, nursing, is about "caring" for your patients. You need to be elsewhere.

PRN means that they use you at the manager's discretion. I have been PRN for the last 15 years. I have worked at the same hospital but am oriented to several units. At times I could have worked 24/7 in the EC. I'm in the GI lab now, and the shifts really vary, from 1 shift in 3 weeks to 5 shifts per week. The only rule is that I must give the availability of 1 week per the hospital's rules. I can not cancel a shift, but they are allowed to not use me on any of the days that I offer. I cover my bases by staying relevant to the unit nurses. I talked to them and suggested they let me know if they want a day off, and the manager won't allow the shift to go uncovered. I will make myself available on those dates.

I am white but can sympathize with your issues. I work in a hospital in a part of town in which I am in the minority. I experienced racism first hand. I was called names. I was literally pushed aside in an effort to degrade me while at a patient bedside. I was screamed at by a nurse assistant saying that I needed to leave the unit as they need "real nurses" in there. I assure you, I have plenty of ciritical care experience. I also have a low threshold for unprofessionalism and dead weight. They didn't like that about me. Their mission, I am sure, was to make my life hell. Well, when a white patient grabbed my arm while I was going off shift she begged me to not leave her there. She said I had no idea what it was like when I wasn't there. I was stunned. Well, THAT was it! My mission became clear. To stand up for those that could not. I reported all the terrible infractions I saw to administration and they were nummerous form drug mishandling to infection control to pt neglect(in a detailed, factual and unemotional letter). I l knew for a patient to declare that they felt unsafe and were discriminated against would be a huge alarm to admin. and they did act on it promptly. I say all of this because our situations are reverse, yet similar and the minority patients under your care likely have similar stories yet fear to speak. You are their voice. Stand up and stand strong. Take notes and take your significant, policy and law breaking points straight to top administration. Your charges are significant and will just be squashed if taken to your unit manager. You have a right to work in a place that is professional. Meanwhile, don't let them see you get upset and stand up for yourself. If they are out of line, poiltely and firmly tell them so. You may be the only true professional there. Perhaps, at some point you could ask for a transfer to a different unit. You also have a right to not work in a hostile environment and your employer is accountable for that. Good luck!

Ive been using an eye mask for over 15 years now. And soft ear plugs. Never thought of the lavender oil. Great idea! Night shift nurse and day shift mom. It takes its toll on your health no matter what you do.

I totally agree with Nurse Beth. I see the push for BSN prepared nurses in specific institutions that are looking for accreditation that will impact their reimbursement rates. It's not becuase they make a nurse better at what she does, especially when it comes to bedside nursing. I have been weighing a similar situation. I am ADN prepared since 1990. I am now 59. Not having a BSN limits my employment options but I am so close to retirement that it doesnt make sense to me to go through a couple years of study plus the expense. I'd like the title but doesn't seem worth it to me. I will just continue what I am doing (hospital based GI lab) or something similar until it is time for me to hang up my cap. Point is, look at your long term goals and examine all options to get there.

I think the idea of Palliative Care is great. I work in a GI Lab which services outpatients and inpatients. I'm required to take BLS,ACLS, Dysrhythmia and conscious sedation certifications. I'm 57 and every single year I think I can't do this again. I stress over the studying. Obsess on the notes I take and ultimately pass with great scores. I think we all underestimate our potential. There are always several "youngsters" in my classes that fail. I believe the bottom line for success is determination, not age. That all being said, I am now also ready to work in another area of nursing. Worked many years of critical care prior to GI. I'm over it and looking for something that allows me to help make someones life better in another way. I think I have something to share with palliative and hospice patients. Perhaps you do too. As far as the requirements for Pre-op and PACU, I think it will vary on the institution. In my hospital they cross train so everyone has to have the same certifications. Perhaps an outpatient facility has different requirements. Good luck!

I worked as a supervisor for a pediatric home care agency. What I learned is that all visitis are not created equal. Many take longer than expected. When you add travel time in the best of traffic situations it's still hard to envision more than 7 visits in a day. You may want to check out options with other agencies. Think also about the wear and tear on your car. More frequent maintance and tires etc.. Just the price of gas alone will be impressive. The pay they offer may be sufficient but I'm skeptical of a company that pays you flat rate for that number of visists. The company I worked for had a small economy car for the staff to drive. Several agencies do this. Just check things out very clearly.

Six weeks is fine. Transitioning from ICU to EC is an ideal transition. The biggest challenge anyone has is if they've been working with adults is if the EC receives both pedi and adult patients. A fear of treating pedi patients is a necessary protective one as their protocols are much different in regards to med doses and IV's/blood draws/caths are more challenging, especially in a "rush" situation. I moved from critical care peds to pedi EC myself so I know it's a very workable transition. From there I went to adult EC. Good luck on your new venture!

I wish you the best of luck. You have now entered the true beginning of your nursing education. You've achieved something really great! Just be a sponge and absorb all you can. The advice I'd like to share is to ask lots of "why" questions to help you understand and develop the critical thinking skills that will make you a good nurse. Realize that the job is inherent with stressors and allow yourself time to decompress after a busy day. Especially after a dramatic day. It gets better. Oh, and most importantly, at least in my book, never ever forget your 5 R's in drug administration. I know it's already been drilled into you but it is so important that I, as a nurse of 25 years, still repeat it in my head before I give any med. I hope you find nursing to be a rewarding career. Welcome to the club!