JourneyCC

Overcome your inexperience (perception by others) with tact, graciousness and go to the wall for your nurses!

So in 4yrs of nursing, I inserted my first ever PIV into an a/c artery! .......really surprised me as the "vein" was right there on top screaming "pick me" LOL Thankfully the patient is a montly IV infusion pt, who is a very hard stick and was very good about it. I said, "too bad we don't need a blood gas on you", and she said, "see these scars (on her inside wrist about 8), these are where they TRIED to get a blood gas!".........thank goodness for terrific patients :) How often if ever has this happened to you?

Hi There...... Just curious if those that work in a VA hospital situation like it? Was it "weird" to get used to? There is a really good ED dayshift position I'm thinking of applying for (my background is ICU), but am not sure about the long term liking it part? ANy words of wisdom?

Thanks for your responses. I am glad I am not the only "lucky" one

I'm just curious on average how many times, you've hit a blood vessel giving I'm injections (especially in VL site)? ...........I ask because in 4 years I"ve hit a blood vessel twice in VL site (and I've worked ED and ICU). My friend , RN for 6yrs says she hits a blood vessel at least 5% of the time. That seems high to me? Or am I just more lucky? So what is your percentage or number of times hitting a vessel?

Ughhh, I so feel your pain. I just moved to a new state in new hospital that is supposed to be "all that"......and I just hate it. I've been there 2 months and am already thinking about other jobs. I just have no time for looking right now. I hate going into work too I also feel like I'm committing career suicide if I leave after 90 days or so. My last job was just so awesome....I'm afraid I won't find anything like it here locally where we live now. Anyway, I just wanted you to know, you are not alone. Journey

So, I've been thinking about leaving the hospital setting, and am not quite sure how I'll like home infusion nursing? But, I LOVE the flexibility that I would have in my schedule doing infusions. Anyone left the hospital for infusions? Do you miss it? Any regrets? Thanks :) Journey

Last week I had my all time fav: "Hold extubation and d/c intubation for possible extubation" Talk about over-tired MD.

I hope common sense prevails on this one!

I can't tell you how glad I am I chose PICU vs. ER as a new grad! For all the reasons you stated (except substitute ER for NICU). You will be so much more challenged and you will be learn all age groups up to adult (many 16+'er you will have are no different than an adult). You will gain vast knowledge and experience and be albe to go to almost any other unit with what you learn. It's normal to second guess.........I guess I just look at it (since I was 36 at graduation), that you have to maximize you time and take advantage faster than dabble around and find your niche. Give it a try for a year....re-evaluate, then decide.......if after that year, what have you Lost? If you went NICU first then after a year didn't like it, you'd be in a fix. Something a wise professor of mine said, "First figure out if you are a jack of all trades type person or a master of one type person BEFORE every choosing your specialty." That answer let me know which I should take I chose something that put me dealing with all sorts of situations vs. just a few repetitive ones. B/c I was honest with myself, I knew I'd burn out or get bored in a specialty like L&D, NICU, etc.......I knew I needed variety. If you however are a person that likes to master something, do NOT choose something with such variety or you'll be lost/overwhelmed. I guess it might help to ask yourself do you more easily get bored or overwhelmed? That will also help you know if you are a jack or master Hope that helps.

southern CA, new grads $26-30 hr. Many with up to 10K sign on bonuses. Caution, it's very expensive to live here.

Oh and yes.........DEFINITELY choose a new grad program that is well known for it's reputation as being a great residency! It makes all the difference in the world! Truly, my residency is fantastic. My friends that graduated with me, many were "turned loose" on their own after 2 wks of "orientation". They come home in tears or pissed. They didn't choose hospitals/residency carefully, and they kick themselves daily over it. Just another thought LOL

New grad opinion here. I too couldn't decide, but went straight to the ICU in a HUGE wellknown Hospital. I love it! I worked in the ER my last year of school and loved that, but felt like I was missing out (like a pp's reasons stated0. Now that I work in ICU, I see the disadvantage I was at in the ER. However, I still think I would have made an excellent RN in the ER despite my short coming in experience. I too am headed towards CRNA, and knew ICU was my pathway. Now that I am here, I just might stay LOL I love it. I occasionally float down to the ER and love that ability. But I think I love it so much b/c of the hospital I chose. It's a huge metropolitan, level 1 trauma hospital (by the way I work neuro/trauma ICU).....and I love the rush of the helicopters coming and landing on our helipad (ER has one too but more critical patients, not breathing on their own, usually come here ).....even though it's ICU, I feel more like a ER person that has the ability to see the outcome and manage that patients care. Just a thought. The downside is, ICU is not for everyone, or every personality.....it's tough and if you don't cut it, they let you know loud/clear. Our hospital has 5 adult and 5 PEDs icu's, like I said it's huge. If I were at a "normal" hospital, I would feel way less stressed. I learn sooooo much and I thrive on it. In a nutshell, I think the hospital you choose is more of a decision maker/breaker than what area you choose. Choose a hospital that has a great RN retention ratio and that has a great "teaching" reputation too. It opens doors and I think you'll ultimately love any decision/specialty you decide on if you love going to work everyday. Good luck!

I am going to be changing hospitals to a major metropolitan hospital, and have the opportunity to work either Trauma ICU or Trama ER. My question is.......is there really an advantage to working ICU before ER? I briefly worked ER and got the feeling that it might be in my best interest to start in the Trauma ICU before attempting Trauma ER. This is my own observations based on skill levels, knowledge and scope of experience I have seen in a smaller community hospital RN's and DR's. I really don't want to open a can of worms (just thinking out loud here) It seems to me, that medical personnel with ICU experience are just, well, stereotypically better ER nurses/doctors than ones who not done ICU. Maybe I'm crazy? Any input is appreciated. Thanks. Journey (needs a break from med/surg)

I'm in L&D and considering switching to either ER or PICU, so I'm glad I'm not alone in this dilemma.

#4. that's my story and I'm stickin' to it

Any insights??? I'm a L&D RN and really have been thinking about ER and PICU this last year. The hospital I"m at will let me in either unit thankfully. I have a few questions, I would appreciate any words of wisdom on....... 1. Would doing ICU before ER be the wise route to take? (somehow I think getting the big picture ground in first would be better, than attempting ER right off the bat, from L&D) 2. When I was a new grad, I floated to the ER for about 40 shifts. I loved it, but am leary about burnout. I'm just wondering if burnout is a common thing for ER personnel? (the hospital I work at is a major trauma center). Most grateful for any responses Journey

Great points from previous posters. All I can add is, if you have your heart set on L&D, don't sell yourself short.....especially if your state has a nursing shortage, because there will always be a L&D spot for a new grad, if the need is there. At the hospital I work at, they "try" to hire all new grads into med/surge, but when the need arises, they pull where needed. Good luck.

I think this is the hardest decision I've made yet, as I am about to graduate. How do you choose? I feel like both have so much to offer and yet, I feel like I'll "mourn" the loss of the area I don't choose. Any hindsight advice? Journey, (two interviews next week in completely different areas and in love with both)

THe signing bonuses, contracts and "goodies" are the same as it's with the same hospital. WOuld be really easy if they were different

Thanks for the insight and wish of goodluck. THe two areas I'm considering both within the same MAJOR hospital, are PEDS or L&D (worlds apart). I have done extensive clinicals in both and both my preceptors in these two areas have recommended me highly and say I"m a "natural" in both areas. Could be that I have 3 small children, so I know both sides of this coin dilemma :chuckle Like mentioned, I was sure L&D was my calling going into RN school, and never expected to love PED so much. Infact, I loved PED ICU, PED step down, PEDS HEMOC and PEDS basic floors equally. I think working in PED field is always more uplifting with more conducive personel. Yes, those L&D personel can be a chore, but I was a "mama bear" too with my patients there. So no harm, no foul. Ughhhhhh, I have until mid jan to decide and am just sick over it as, I have to sign a 2yr contract. I know 2 yrs is nothing, but gosh, I really want to make the "right" decision LOL Journey

I'm about to graduate and have fallen in love with two "bi-polar" areas of nursing. Any advise, insights, hindsights about choosing? Countdown to decision time for me! Journey