smc9

I was on a med/surg floor for 7 months and barely started to feel comfortable as it was insanely busy all the time. I was given the opportunity to go into the ICU (in the same specialty) so I took it. I have been on orientation for about 12 shifts now and am feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed out again like I did on the floor. I recently spoke to my nurse educator to tell her I just couldn't do it anymore and felt unsure about my decision to become a nurse. She told me not to give up on myself and give it more time. I am trying my best to give it a year even though I feel stressed out a day before my shift. I start on nights tonight (we rotate to nights every 3 months for a month) and have decided if nights wreak havoc on my body - I will have to find a job in another area of the hospital. There is nothing wrong with doing what is right for you. If you feel completely stressed out or feel like the area you're working in is not for you - then find some other specialty. Nursing has so many areas a person can work in, it's just a matter of finding one's niche. There's nothing wrong with changing jobs until you find the one that works and I plan to do that!

Hi Gitanagirl, Please keep me updated if you find a place that does 12 hr shifts. I'd be interested to know as I am currently working on my BSN and need to keep to a 3-day work week. As far as me personally getting started in psych; I contacted the unit director for the psych department in my hospital (it's actually a separate hospital for psych only, but attached to the main hospital if that makes sense) and told her that my 6 month probationary period ends in April. She said to fill out a transfer sheet and contact her in April for an interview. It was as simple as that. Hopefully I will get hired. If not I plan to interview in other standalone psych hospitals or psych departments of other hospitals. Let me know how it goes for you.

Congratulations on your move to psych. I am looking forward to that day myself. I have been on the floor on neuro unit since 10/15/07. I thought it was a good thing to have the med/surg background before going into psych, but from what you're saying it's not necessary? Do I have that right? One more question, do you work 12's or 8's. I've noticed here in California, for the most part, the shifts are only 8 hours in either the hospital I currently work at or standalone facilities (except state which seem to give you the choice or 8's or 10's). This is disappointing because I went into nursing to be a psych nurse, but I don't want to do 5-8's anymore as I have been in the working world since about 1977.

I'm freaking out too - I took it yesterday and it shut off at 75 and I didn't want it to as I felt like I hadn't answered enough questions correctly. Anyway, I know at least 10 people who have taken it and it shut off @ 75 and they passed so who knows. I'm reading the threads here and some say it shutoff at 75 and they failed...that's really scary. The point is though if you never got to what they call the analysis/application type questions and were only answering "knowledge" type questions, then there's a good chance one could fail. Good luck to everyone, let's keep positive and hope that we all passed!

hello laurel, i'm so sorry to hear about your situation. there is an answer, it just depends on what you're willing to do. being 36 is not too old. i am 45 and i am about to start nursing school in 2 weeks. i'm not saying you should wait until you're my age to start again because that might mean repeating some of your classes, but it is something to think about. if you waited until your children were older (mine are in their 20s now and it's so much easier) it might be easier for you. i know you have a lot to figure out and no one can help you but you, but i just wanted to say that it's never too late to fulfill your dreams. so if now, there are too many obstacles to get past, perhaps it's not the right time. but then again, if it's your passion to become an rn then nothing will stop you. good luck! i wish you happiness and hope that your husband finds it in his heart to give you all the support you need. suzie :)

Thanks Kris!

Thanks for the info!

THANK YOU!!!!! I appreciate the quick response.

Hello, I read your response and it brought a question to mind. I start nursing school in August 2005 (Associate Degree program) and will be finished in May of 2007. If I decided to go for my BSN, but waited a couple of years, are you saying that I would have to retake, anatomy, physio, micro etc. since I started taking my sciences classes in 2003 and 2009 would obviously be 6 years later? Thanks!