ParryPerson

I'm going back to school online to earn my masters, but I'm unsure of which program would be best. I've noticed MSN with NI specilization is getting more and more rare to see, but Masters of Health Informatics degree programs abound. I work nights, and already have a job lined up in a few years, and my work is helping foot the bill. I just want to make the right choice. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated!

I need to decide on an online only informatics masters program, and the sooner the better. The problem is that there are many, many online colleges, but I'm unsure of the best cost/performance ratio. My workplace is offering to pay 80% of tuition, but even so, I'd like to keep costs low. Any advice or thoughts would be great!

I have 6 months of BMT experience, and while I love my co-workers and my patients, the politics and staffing are dragging me down. I have severe anxiety problems (perfect career choice right?) and feel bedside nursing is not for me. Would it look bad if I tried to apply in-hospital system for non-bedside jobs? I'm the bread winner and I know I'll take a massive paycut, but I don't feel like I can continue with things the way they are. I know most people want a year or 2 of floor experience, but I miss my family (7 on, 7 off, 4 days of which are recovery, nights) and wouldn't mind a pay cut as long as I could support my family and make my house and bill payments. Maybe I'm just venting but any advice you have would be great. Thanks in advance!

I'm a new grad orienting on a post-op ortho floor, headed to nights tomorrow, and was wondering how you guys made it past the "I have to quit for my sanity" hump? I've read many posts and I see how many people talk about N/V, depression, and anxiety as a normal reaction to being a nurse during the first year. This may be what happens but most definitely should NOT be normal! I'm hoping that nights are easier, but I know that isn't always the case. I'm terrified and have already been to my doctor about the anxiety and lack of eating and sleep. I am naturally a night owl so I hope it gets better. I signed a contract for 2 years or I owe back the 6000 USD they gave me during nursing school to help pay for school (and also graduate a year earlier) which is completely understandable. How did you survive your first year on 12 hour (night?) shifts? I work every day but wed/thur then the next week I only work wed/thur. Is this fairly typical of hospital shifts? The days madness of 4 discharges and 4 admits and doctors orders and family and other people lighting up the phones and AHHHHH! I plan on doing 2 years and then hoping for a less stressful (I have anxiety and depression problems) occupational or public health or educator job (I have my BSN). What are some tricks and tips you can give a new nurse? Any words of encouragement or information or help will be much appreciated!

it is a 6 max floor at nights.

I hope so, even though I've only taken 4 patients right now, my preceptor has said they have had way higher acuity than most patients. I keep hoping it will get better but it doesn't, I just hope when I switch to nights the pace is a little more manageable.

I'm a new grad on a ortho post-op floor doing my day shift orientation. I didn't know that this floor was the hardest in the hospital when I accepted the job, but that is it's reputation. Every day before waking up I feel sick to my stomach and my nerves are racked. During my last shift I almost had a breakdown (crying) at my desk and a couple of nurses had to come over and talk to me to help me calm down. I am in a 2 year contract with the hospital (or I'd owe 6k to them that helped pay for my school) and am not supposed to move floors until at least a year has passed (or rather, they prefer if you didn't move for at least a year). I'm fairly stuck in the situation, but I go to nights this coming Monday (one week from now). I know that both shifts are busy and both have their pros and cons, but is it possible that nights might be easier for a new grad? I'm a night owl by nature, sleep better in the day, and most of my stress comes from the admits and discharges and orders and referrals and that kind of thing. Any thoughts or insights would be great! I went back to school and am now 30 with my BSN (no previous nursing experience) and JUST had a son (2 month old) and am trying to get my wife and child out of my inlaws place, I definitely need the money the night shift provides.

Thank you for the reply! I'm still on orientation for a job I got offered while in school. I made the mistake of not being picky enough and ended up on a fairly rough floor, but that is what really made me realize I want to go for my NP. I can handle the floor, but I don't see myself working it forever. I signed a contract for 2 years, so even if I can enter school quickly, the clinical would have to work around my schedule (have to be full time 2 years). Thanks again!

Does this exist? Is it even possible? I know it's probably not recommended, but I am curious as I am interested in getting my FNP as soon as possible. I went back to school late, and even though I've just earned my BSN, I'd love to be on the fast track to FNP. My love is pediatrics, but I've heard the FNP is easier to get online and is also broader in scope (more jobs) than the PNP. Thank you for any help!