LynRN04

I was an ER Tech for a couple of years before nursing school. Don't know about your state but in the 2 that I've worked in they require an EMT-I. You do CNA stuff, as indicated before, plus start IV's, draw labs, apply fiberglass splints to fractures, and generally assist the nurses. I was treated well, as are the ERT's that work in our ER now. It's not a bad job. If you are looking for floor experience, though, I would definitely take the CNA class (I think it's like 6 weeks or so) and do that while you're in school. Some nursing schools require that anyway, and it's an excellent idea. I was not a CNA first, and I wish I had been. Thank God I work with an excellent group of CNA's who are willing to teach an RN to do stuff! Good luck to you! (Hope this helps a bit, even though it's long winded!) Lyn

Wow, really?! Thanks! I feel better! :) I was beginning to think I was doomed to a life in med-surg...

Wow! After reading all the posts on how hard it is to find a job, I'm beginning to rethink my long-term career plan. I have family in Boulder City and Henderson, so I was planning to move to the area when my daughter graduates in 2007. I just finished a year on a busy Med/Surg floor, and am transferring to ICU in August. My plan was to work agency in Vegas for a year so I could find out more about the various hospitals before signing a contract. If it is that hard to find a job there, maybe I should just move to Kingman or even Phoenix. It's closer to Mom than I am now, anyway. What do y'all think? And BTW, where does everyone work? Any advice?

Hi! How can I get experience in other areas (ICU, ER, NICU, etc) when nobody will hire me without a year of that experience?! Thanks in advance!! Lyn :uhoh21:

I am currently a med-surg nurse in New Mexico. Our ratios are 6 or 7 to 1, depending on census, and sometimes 8:1 (but that's rare, and usually only for a short time). It was really difficult at first, but I spent my first year on time management...that's it! It's still tough, but you just have to learn to hit the ground running. Also, I'm planning a move to LV in two years when my youngest graduates from high school. I have family there, and worked as an ER tech and as a paramedic off and on in the city for about 10 years. I spent some time at Valley, but mostly I was at UMC ER and the Trauma Center under Dr. Dale Carrison. (OMG, what an awesome person!) UMC is not the horror story it's made out to be. Just depends on what you are after in your career, I guess. I was younger then, and of the 'paramedic mentality', so I wanted chaos and adrenaline in my life. I loved every crazy minute of it! Anyway, my advice to you is something I plan to do myself: do local travel nursing. Get on the web and find a travel nursing agency that is based in Vegas (I know there are several). They will give you 13 week assignments in various hospitals in the Vegas area, pay is excellent, housing is provided, in most cases all medical/dental/malpractice insurance is paid for 100%. That way, you can see where you might want to work permanently. If you hate it, it's only 13 weeks. Only one catch: you need a year of med-surg experience to travel (usually). Look into it. Maybe you can knock out a year where you are now, and then move. Good luck with whatever you decide!!! Lyn

I know 'zactly what you mean! I've only been a nurse for a year, but I'm 46! Med-Surg is tough! I loved it for a while, but I'm tired. Like you, I floated to ICU the other day, and WOW what a difference. I thought I'd be bored, and maybe I was a little bit, but at least I had the time to talk to my pts and even read up on their dx so I felt like I could be an intelligent part of the team! Fortunately for me, this small hospital takes new grads/transfers to ICU without requiring them to take a 'training position'. I've let the ICU manager know I'm interested, but they only have night shifts available right now and I don't want to leave my 15yo daughter alone at night. Well, hmmm, TMI I guess. Anyway, good luck to both of us. I hope we can get out of the trenches before we get injured. Lyn