nursealisha

I personally always go the route of the best work environment even if that means taking a pay cut. Bedside nursing has its challenges but I think the stability might be a better fit for you overall. Traveling, especially up to 4 hours a day, can be exhausting and if you're not finding satisfaction in it - why put yourself through it? Welcome to the ICU! ?

Bummer. There's gotta be an easier way for military spouses who have to move frequently to get licensed. I spend so much money applying for endorsement! The more we move, the more licenses I have and Texas wanted official verification from every state. I wish they'd just do a national license

My husband is active duty military and we move all the time. We recently moved to Texas for our most recent PCS. However, I started the process while we were in AL so I was not given a compact license since I'm not a "Texas resident". Is there any way to obtain compact Licensure without changing our official home state (FL)? It's seems like a huge complication for our taxes and in the future if I get a TX license but he remains a FL resident. Any insight into this process? Thanks.

If you didn't watch the video, then your opinion doesn't count! Everyone jumping to conclusions to weigh in on a subject they didn't even take the time to listen to.

Just reiterating everything everyone already said - totally normal. The good thing is you're worried and you care enough to do everything right. Don't get me wrong, you'll make mistakes, but it's important to acknowledge your shortcomings. Ask for help. Ask questions. Do what you can but don't try to be super nurse. It's only 12 hours and whatever is left undone, the next shift has another 12 hours to accomplish it. Nursing is 24 hour teamwork! I've been an RN for 5 years and I have no problem admitting what I don't know. As time goes on, you'll get more confident in your skills. Good luck!

OP, I am right there with ya! (Or should I say "you" since we're getting on everyone's case about slang?) My sentence structure and grammar are far from perfect but I do take the time to try and google the correct format. When I was in nursing school, the professors taught us to proofread our charting because "messy charting can be seen as a messy nurse in court." I can see how this makes sense to some but I understand that English is not every nurse's primary language. Regardless, a quick proofread or google search can go a long way. Side note: Did anyone notice this right above the comment box? "Per our Terms of Service please post in English only; no text/chat speak."

I've only been a nurse for about 5.5 years and I've noticed this as well. I came into nursing with a bachelor's degree and like others have said, during our schooling they were always talking about the next step and going into management/leadership positions because we would have our BSNs. I can honestly say I love working bedside. My first job out of school was at a medical spa doing laser hair removal (only an RN can do this in CA) and I was ecstatic when I was finally hired into a hospital. I worked med-surg and didn't experience too much of the "what's next" discussion but now that I'm in ICU, that's all everyone seems to be talking about. Even nurses that only have 2 years experience are just itching to get into CRNA school or become an NP. I can see how the bedside burnout is real but for now, I'm happy where I'm at.

Your story is similar to mine! I have over 5 years of experience as an ortho nurse - received my med-surg certification, charged, and precepted new grads. I love ortho and feel extremely competent and comfortable there. I recently moved to critical care in June and was having a heck of a time during orientation. I was terrified of everything and all my years of med-surg seemed to do diddly-squat for me in ICU. ICU is a new ball game. It's like a seasoned football player making the switch to baseball. Are they athletic? Sure. Are they going to be fantastic players right from the start? Probably not. You've got the foundation but now you're building up and that takes time. Confidence will come. I already feel a heck of a lot more comfortable here but I'm still learning and I remind everyone that I'm new to critical care. Don't ever be ashamed to ask for help and admit what you don't know. Also, the two examples you cited just sounded like typical physician behavior. I missed a few orders with a DKA patient and the endo doc the next morning was pissed but I accepted the blame, admitted it was my error, learned from it, and moved on. Docs are under a lot of stress and though this doesn't ever excuse their piss poor behavior, let that stuff slide. Double check with your charge if you're questioning a change and ask them what they think your next steps should be. Some docs, especially cardiology ones are very particular about what they want done following patient changes but the big thing is always cover your butt, even if the docs don't think they need to hear it. It's your responsibility to report changes to them and if they're not interested, be glad you caught it, chart it, and move on. Good luck!

I read through a lot of these comments and there is some very sage advice here. OP, I found your replies to be very defensive. If you're going to ask a public forum for advice, you're going to have to have thicker skin than that. Seeking treatment, help, or even just for a professional to talk to is not offensive nor should it ever be viewed that way. Your response just perpetuates the negative connotations associated with psychiatric treatment. Nursing is hard. Plain and simple. You are dealing with people's lives and things can change instantly. Bedside nursing is extremely difficult when you have unsafe patient loads. It sounded like you had a good team and wherever you choose to work- your coworkers will be your lifesavers. I think you just have poor time management skills from your response of getting caught in the patient's room and wanting to get to know them better. Yes, med-surg doesn't always allow us the time to love on our patients and get to know them as much as we'd like but that doesn't mean that that is always the case. I've sat in a patient's room for longer than I should have listening to his never-ending but sweet story about his wife. I've made the time to sit and chat and comfort my patients. It is possible but it's not going to come automatically. Time management is a skill that you will have to practice alongside all of your other nursing skills. I would not suggest going into ICU because of the ratios. Though you have 2 patients, your ability to multitask goes up tenfold and you will have to call on those great time management skills. You will need to prioritize and you will need to do it quick. If multitasking and reacting quickly to changing scenarios do not sound like your cup of tea, perhaps bedside nursing is just not for you. School nursing? Outpatient clinics are always a good option or perhaps go back for your masters and go into education. The beauty of nursing is that there are so many options if bedside isn't your thing. Good luck to you and stick with it. It's hard career but I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else.

Thank you for your input. Are there any particular books you recommend for neonatal critical care?

So I spoke with the NICU manager yesterday and she said Nursery. She said she can teach neonatal critical care and would prefer someone familiar with well baby assessments. Not the answer I was hoping for since the nursery I'm looking at is small and I'm leaning toward the ICU at the larger hospital. Oh well.

I posted this same question in the NICU thread and one person said it all depends on the hiring manager. Adults and babies are so different! Im in such a pickle! I know adult ICU will get me comfortable with critical care and sharpen my critical thinking skills but nursery will give me experience with the babies, of which I have absolutely none. I have an interview with another ICU position tomorrow and plan to stop by the NICU and get the managers input. I'll keep you posted.

Thank you both for your responses.. That's why I'm having such a hard time deciding! Adults and babies are completely different. Unfortunately the NICU, ICU and nursery positions are at 3 different hospitals! I did apply to the NICU and was told she's only looking for experienced candidates. I have an interview with that hospital's ICU tomorrow and plan to stop by the NICU and get her input on the dilemma. My only concern with the nursery position is the unit is only about 13 beds, so it's super small and I'm worried will be super slow. The manager did say there's an opportunity to float to post-partum and get that experience as well.. However, I'm afraid to let this ICU offer slip away. I've applied so many times in the past and finally got the chance at an interview. I just have a lot to consider... Thanks again!

Hi! I have 5 years of experience working ortho-surgical units as charge nurse and preceptor to new grads/hires/students. I also have my med-surg certification and my BSN. My goal is to work in the NICU but it seems they always want experienced nurses. I've currently been offered positions in the ICU and a well baby nursery. Which do you think will look better to a NICU manager for the future? I am extremely interested in both and wouldn't mind either position.. I feel the ICU would give me the critical thinking skills necessary for NICU however the well baby would at least give me experience with babies... Thanks for your input!

Hi! My background is 5 years of experience working ortho-surgical, charge nurse, Med-Surg certification, new grad/hire/Nsg student preceptor, and i have my BSN. My goal is to get into the NICU but this hospital is only hiring experienced NICU nurses. I've been offered jobs in the ICU and a well baby nursery.. Which do you think will look better to a NICU hiring manager in the future? Thanks for the input!