Newbie_1

With one year experience, you should maybe consider travel nursing to the area you want, before committing. The pay would be a lot better. And you can figure out where u might want to plant roots. Good luck!

Yes I left. I went part time nights at another hospital. Relocated actually with relocation bonus. I'm thankful to have such a supportive family, and friends. Better pay, and location. Ratios are 5-6 on nights. I will apply for endoscopy, or radiology in a year.

If I were on nights. I may feel differently. But night and day shifts are different struggles. Perhaps I should have started nights. I will consider that as I look for a new position. Thanks for your input. Good luck to you as well!

Thanks, NurseMeg

I have not maintained steadfastly that I had more knowledge than anyone. I call things as I see them. And in fact in the three months I have been on my unit(going on four months and counting) 4 staff have quit. 2 giving two weeks notice waiting until the end of the schedule. One with 19years experience, one with 5, one with 1yr and the last with only 6months. The newbies left first, and only one was night shift staff. Worst case, I wait 6months. You don't know my situation, so you are correct in saying you cannot fully speak on it.

I think that was some sort of backhanded apology? Not that it was needed. What you didn't factor into your "helpful" assessment is that all new nurses aren't 22 year old children. I am a career changer, I have never had problem being trained or landing a new position. Making the right moves I don't forsee too much of an issue besides hanging in long enough to reach the end of the tunnel. That is why I made the initial post. Respect is a two way street. I've noticed some nurses forget that. Doctors too. I treat you how you treat me. It's gotten me through, just fine.

Worst job- Text chat operator. Not bad until the owners started ripping off the bonus $$. The only saving piece was that you worked from home.

Sounds like an abusive relationship... You and acute care nursing. Lol I want the experience, so I will stick around until I have what's needed to move on. I won't adjust my standards or allow anything but knowledge to be "beat into" me. I will get through it. This post was out of frustration, and rightfully so. You may think 7 pts is okay or even an 8th for admit (my shift yesterday). You may be okay with that. To each their own. I know better, and will do better as soon as I am able. Thanks for sharing.

Why are some folks on this board such *******s? lol You wouldn't be so condescending, to someone's face. Had I left out the fact that I was a new grad, would I have received the same response? Probably not considering there are some states that have mandated nurse to patient ratios, and nursing research continually shows improved patient outcomes and safety with fewer patients. So again smartass, I didn't say I needed only 4 patients. 5 is actually perfect. 7 is rough and not safe. And of course I will always guard my nursing license, they don't fall off trees either. Don't judge a situation u know nothing about. And btw; you didn't even answer the initial question. ��

Oh I know. A seasoned co-worker of 19years tells me 7:1 is drive by nursing..lol You have to remind docs to complete med rec and admitting orders, because several expect you to do it. I barely, have time review doctors notes to remind the doc of the plan for the patient., let alone provide decent patient care. Another nurse of 20 years tells me it doesn't get better, you just get through it. I don't want work the floor, I don't need time to know that . My end goal is nurse practitioner. Coming from a background of community case management and social service, I know the meaning of hard work and toughing things out. I was most concerned about burning this bridge. So I will consider proper notice.

I am a new grad ASN nurse. I have been working as a school nurse per diem for 5 months and med surg full time for just over three months (just off orientation). I wanted the year of acute care experience. My unit is severely understaffed, ratios 7:1 most shifts, 5:1 on a good day. 5:1 is perfection as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes we have only 1 aid. Which means primary care in addition to RN duties. My last shift was 7:1 with three patients as primary. I was still passing morning meds at 1p. I don't feel like experience will change the fact the unit is understaffed with no resource pool with a few floaters, and more importantly not safe for the patient. I don't want to risk my license for this place. I am at my wits end, and the toll is pulling at my personal life. As I end this partial vent, I plan to give my letter of resignation while I'm off to be effective immediately. I will pick up more days as a school nurse, but my question is this... The three months I spent is now a waste of space on my resume? I will finish my RN- BSN program in 8months, and want to apply to better hospitals; a different area like outpatient surgery, or an office position. Is this realistic?

I don't expect a recruiter to have worked every nursing job, that would be silly and impossible. But I do expect common courtesy, of not making assumptions about a job u know nothing about. I just found the recruiter to be disrespectful. And wondered if this happens often? Thankfully they are a small piece. Sadly they are also gate keepers to the next step. Oh well. I appreciate the responses.

Can someone please explain to me how a recruiter who has never been a nurse, can determine the stress level of any nursing position? I had one recruiter tell me the stress of the ED is equal to that of the med surg floor. I'm new, but have worked both (Floated ED). They can both be stressful but different types of stress; chronic vs emergent. Many factors play, just think on ur feet and keep moving with either. I was annoyed by this. And changed topic, because I may have insulted her if the conversation continued. Don't tell me my job, and you've never been in my shoes. Thankfully I got the face to face interview, for what I'm hoping is a much better facility with opportunities for growth. Has anyone else experienced this with recruiters?

Thank you both for the encouragement. I know I will go part time.

I am a new grad on a med surg floor. I like the experience I'm gaining. However, I am already feeling burned out due to my floor being severely understaffed. Many times ratio is 7:1. I want to drop to part time asap just so I don't quit. I want my year of experience and then move on. The staff there are good people this makes things bearable. But I've been told it doesn't get better by some staff. My manager recommends floating to "see what you really want to do." I know that I want to return to school an obtain my FNP and maybe DNP. I have a background in behavioral health and prefer a clinic setting. I just feel stuck and depressed at the moment. You work so hard for ur license then reality sets in. I know it has to get better. Any suggestions on what I can pursue with six months experience. With my plans to return to grad school?

Thanks Mahzie. :-) And thank you everyone for all of the great insight! This has been very helpful.

Thanks for your input! Any other thoughts are appreciated.

Hi, I'm pre-nursing student, taking a medical terminology course online and I'm writing a paper on healthcare professionals and their use of medical terminology. I would really appreciate the perspective of a working nurse. Would anyone out there mind giving me their thoughts on how they use medical terminology day to day as a nurse. Do you find it beneficial? Why or why not? Thanks in advance!