pseudo_name

Hey...I got the job! :)

I think I'd probably have to resign from the stepdown position at some point if things work out with the ICU position. I'm still trying to find my niche as a nurse. There are days when I hate it to be honest, but then there are days when I feel good that I made a difference or saved someone or learned something new/valuable. Sometimes I don't feel up to par on the stepdown unit. Certain nurses make you feel dumb during report (whether they mean to or not). Is this normal also during the first year of nursing? Sorry I'm going off topic, maybe I just need some better organizational tips. I use a good SBAR sheet that the hospital created which is very helpful. On top of that I use a piece of paper that I make 6-8 squares/grid out of with my morning vitals, assessment, tele box #, patient label, pertinent labs, etc. Any other tips? Also, there are other nurses who kind of pressure me into agreeing to work almost every weekend for them. I know I can say no, but they'll emphasize "but you're single and have no kids"... Um okay... Sometimes I feel like saying "It's not my fault that you have 5 kids" (no offense) and I do have a family, a fiancé, friends, life outside of work... Should I speak to my manager about this? She's already tried enforcing a "3 switches per schedule" policy because it gets out of hand, but no one really adheres to it... I'd rather work during the week as well because there are many more resources/opportunities to learn (Tuesday through Thursday especially -- our heavy post op days). The weekends have their perks too, but while I'm new and am fortunate enough to have a day position I want to get the most out of it that I can.

That's what I'm a little worried about, the scheduling. Both jobs world have to be willing to work with me... Hopefully it'll work out. Well I don't even know if I got the 2nd job yet. Won't find out till next week.

Hopefully I'll get the other PT position, just going to have to keep my fingers crossed...

Anyone?

I kept applying, everyday, everywhere (I almost moved from NY to North Dakota for a job). I went to job fairs, spoke to a career counselor on how to sell myself and spruce up my resume so that I looked good on paper. I got a lot of rejections, which depressed me for a while but I kept trying. Took me 8 months but I landed something. Also during the interview make sure you ask a lot about the unit, the patient population, the ratio, etc.

Wow that's terrible. I also have a co-worker that's very unpleasant and nasty (in general not just to me). I just try to ignore her on the dreaded days I'm stuck working with her. I was so happy when she was FMLA for 3 months after having her son lol. I have addressed it with her personally and I just let whatever she says roll off my back because I know that I'm doing the best I can. Her opinion doesn't phase me anymore because when I look at her I just see a miserable, hateful, pathetic person with no life if she's so focused on me & what I'm doing. Sometimes people try to make you look bad too in front of bosses just because they're competitive. There are a lot of miserable, jealous, and competitive people that you simply can't stoop down to there level. Just keep doing your best and treat her like YOU are the one who feels sorry for her. Don't get involved with gossip and hopefully you have some "buddies" on your unit that you could turn to for help. If all else fails just finish your year, and look for another job. Don't quit nursing all together; what you worked so hard for and studied countless hours for because of this one insignificant (in the grand scheme of things) little witch! Good luck!

Has anyone ever worked two part time RN jobs at once. I know plenty of people work FT and per diem...but honestly would working two part times be do-able?? I interviewed today for a part time ICU position at a hospital I worked at previously as a nursing assistant... I think the interview went pretty well actually. But I would like to stay and keep building my skills at my current job too which is on surgical stepdown. Things are going better over (for anyone who's read my previous posts -- not 100% but definitely an improvement) Long story short, has anyone out there worked two PT nsg jobs? And for how long? Thanks. By the way, my goal since my last year in nsg school has been to work as a Critical Care nurse. That and emergency nursing were my two favorite areas. I did my preceptorship in ICU for 2 months and really enjoyed it.

Any tips for an upcoming interview in the ICU? It's at a hospital I used to work at as an aide. I've been working as an RN since April 2013 on surgical stepdown, but my former employer is willing to interview me for the ICU position which would be part time days... I really want to work in the ICU or ED. Its been my dream since nursing school. Anyway I have tele experience, I'm ACLS certified and I have used drips.. Only cardizem, heparin and octreoide though... No vasoactive or sedatives like propofol.

Surgical stepdown (abdominal sx and ER overflow/tele pts) 1:5 to 1:8 depending on census/staffing

How does your resume look? Is there any chance that you'd be willing to apply as an nursing assistant or unit secretary just to get your foot in the door at a hospital? What type of nursing are you interested in? Are there any job fairs coming up soon in your area? And I learned that you have to kind of be a stalker to land a position lol. Call, email every week, it makes you REALLY stand out and seem interested. You worked hard for that license and on your schooling... Relocate if it's a feasible option for you... Nurse residency programs, fellowships, etc.

I'm back on days again, and although it's more stressful (in my opinion) because it's just non-stop tasks (sending pts for tests/procedures, OR, fresh post-ops, discharges, admissions, new orders all the time, etc.), I'm really trying my best to see the positive and stay A LOT more organized & focused. I keep saying to myself that this is a rough patch but one that will open many doors for me in my nsg career... Knowing that it's temporary and that I'm definitely not "stuck" is motivating.

Thanks all for the replies... I've been reflecting a lot about my career and what I want out of nursing. I'm starting to realize that the people/personalities you work with is SO important. I was placed on nights for 3 weeks as part of an extended probation plan because my manager felt that I was struggling a little too much on days. I found that the night nurses were more positive and seemed to handle the stress better than the day nurses, which made for a much less stressful work environment all together. The day nurses seem to be so burnt out and I know it's easy to become burnt out in this stressful field we chose... When I find that other people's attitudes/tones are "rubbing off" onto me, I just try to recognize and stop the cycle (in myself) remain positive and try to make it through the shift as best I can with what I have and who I'm working with at the moment.

Hey.. Yes I passed my probation! =) Found out yesterday. I actually to feel more confident as nurse, but still want to work in a safer environment. I'm really not comfortable having so many patients on a step down floor. Sometimes there's so much going on that it's easy to miss critical things. For example I had a pt on a Cardizem gtt a few weeks ago on my night shift. Around 20:30 (FYI, I was getting report on other pts... usually have to get report from more than one nurse bc we have so many discharges and admissions) pt's HR dropped to 30. Looking at the q 4 hr vitals the drip should've been either titrated down or stopped at 16:00 when the BP was like 90/50 & HR was sustained in the 70's NSR. The day nurse was so busy with her section that she didn't even get a chance to check the vitals. This pts drip was infusing at 15 ml/hr. Soo it's things like that that worry me because it's just so easy for things like this to happen on my floor. This nurse is a great, awesome nurse, has been a nurse for 27 years and honestly is one of the greatest resources on the unit... So if something like that could be missed by her then imagine me, a new grad... I will never forget that though, for a pt on Cardizem gtt I will be extra vigilant with watching the HR and checking vitals. Thank goodness the pt was okay, asymptomatic.

I've only been working as a nurse since April 2013...so about 8 months. I guess the honeymoon is over, but I find that nights are a better pace for me, work wise. I don't find myself becoming AS stressed.

Anyone? Is it normal to have a love/hate relationship with nursing?? I love being a nurse - as in the actual nursing care part of nursing -- patient care, being there for people in some of the hardest times of their lives, the small victories, advocating for patients, etc. ...but other times the shift just kills me. I have to retreat to the bathroom and just let the tears flow from sheer frustration, anxiety, stress, just people (manager, doctors, families, etc.) breathing down your neck! When my coworkers are stressed because they're drowning, I can't help but become affected by their negative energy. I feel bad for them because I totally understand how they feel! But sometimes it's hard to stay positive as a newbie when all the experienced nurses are cursing their jobs... Sorry for the vent, I just don't know if I'm on a bad floor or in the wrong area of nursing...

I am still a new nurse (only have been working as an RN since April 2013) and I have been looking for a new job. I work on a very busy and high acuity surgical step down unit. I usually take care of 6-7 patients at a time. Discharge 2-3 per shift with at least 2 new admissions. I am learning SO much and I love being a nurse... But the manager is not a good leader at all. Nobody wanted to donate money to get her a Christmas present if that says anything about her. I think she is a good person but she just can't manage the floor that well. Anyway, she extended my probation by 4 weeks and placed me on nights because I wasn't "progressing as quickly" as they she wanted me to. I have started looking for other jobs in the mean time. I might have one at an outpatient GI/endoscopy office. Also might have a per diem as a middle school nurse. Since I've started nights, I actually enjoy my job a little more. The people are nicer and much more helpful. I spoke to my preceptor and he told me that they are trying to put me on nights and move another new nurse onto days (taking my spot essentially). I don't know what to do...should I mention this to the manager? I've asked a few people and they said they've never heard of extending probation... They said if you weren't progressing you would just be let go. I haven't made any medical errors as of yet (hopefully not ever) and I am good worker. Just get overwhelmed on days with tasks. It gets to the point where I'm just doing tasks without even really knowing why I'm doing things. Nights are slower and less stressful, but I don't want to be put on nights just because they're making room for someone else. Should I stay in the hospital and keep building my skills? Or go to the outpatient office and work as a school nurse per diem? I want to work in the ER one day and hospital jobs are so hard to come by when you don't have a lot of experience... I think I just work on a poorly managed unit. Any advice on what to do in this situation would be appreciated. Thanks.

I was so proud of myself for finishing nursing school! Graduating from a stressful program. Putting in the countless hours of studying, sacrificing so much to reach my goal -- a Bachelor's degree in Nursing... working my butt off to pass the NCLEX -- which I thank God I did in July 2012. Flash-forward to now... I'm an RN working on a understaffed, circus of a step down unit (with some of the most negative people I've ever met in my life -- talk about Debbie Downers!! SHEESH!!! But I guess when people are stressed it tends to bring out the worst in any of us...) I was SO grateful for this job! So excited! So thrilled that this was the beginning of a new chapter in my life... after months of searching as a new grad :) My family was so proud of me for my accomplishments too. Orientation days were a breeze... still felt somewhat competent and confident in my abilities to juggle caring for 6-8 patients at a time and somehow manage to NOT cause any harm to them with all the things/tasks I have to remember. I've only been a nurse a little while, and I'm SO disappointed in myself. Disappointed in feeling so inadequate, disappointed that I hate being a nurse so much now, disappointed that I'm complaining while others don't even have jobs... Just disappointed that I am letting other people down too (along with myself) -- including you other nurses reading this... I'm sorry for that Only thing I still like though, is patient care and caring for people... I love showing up in their rooms with a genuine smile on my face and compassion in my heart to care for them. Wish it didn't have to be so rushed. I still feel that I owe that to them, even if I hate the actual job itself... But, I am so unfulfilled. I want to be out of this profession. If things were different (i.e. more support staff, better attitudes, shorter shifts, etc.) I think nursing would be a better profession to become a part of (IMHO). I have so much respect for the nurses who are able to do this job without feeling like this!!! I just feel the life and my joy being sucked out of me after each 13+ hour draining shift I spend in the hospital. I'm trying to find a job as a school nurse, so that I don't have to feel like I wasted 5 years of my life studying to become what I am today. I just regret it so much. I'm grateful that I realize this now before marriage, the kids, etc.