NV Nurse

Calling all nurses who have been through Air Force EMEDS!!!! I am slotted to go through EMEDS at the end of April. While I am really looking forward to the experience, I have a questions... On the packing list/reporting instructions, it says reference books, what did you take (I am in a critical care slot)? Any words of advice? Thank you in advance! Erin

I find this discussion interesting and in conflict with the strong, hard working Filipinas I know... These nurses (my frame of reference) work full time hours and most carry a per diem job. This enables them to support their families here and aboard. Honestly this is the cultural dynamic I am aware of... Here's my advice, since you asked for it... 1. If you like med school and want to be an MD,stay there! Nurses are not doctors...if you want to be an MD, being an RN may be abject hell for you (like being an MD would be for me, I love being an RN[emoji3]).You have two years of med school left, once in residency you will earn income... If you switch to a BSN program, by the time you apply and get accepted, you will have put on 2.5-3.5 years... 2. Do not bring a baby into this mess! You think marriage and med school are stressful? They've got nothing on a newborn. My daughter is 4 years old and my hubby and I have been married for 13 years. We are first and foremost a team! Our team work allowed me to go back for my Masters when my kiddo was 1. We are solid emotionally and financially, without that, trying to work, raise a child, and care for a marriage would be hard if not impossible. 3. Work on your marriage. It sounds like you are not on the same page. Go to counseling... Decide if this is the life that you both want... If you don't, really avoid impregnating her (once you do, she's in your life for a minimum of 18 years, realistically shes in forever)... BTW, the saddest part of your post, I hear resentment, but no love for your wife...

I work with a couple nurses who have their MSN and MHA... There nursing degree opened doors for them . The staff I know with a Bachelors in Hospital Administration, that I know of in my facility, work as unit clerks/secretaries....

VA... It's a "known quantity"... The other job has a lot of variables... Plus, it sounds like they are expecting you to function as a staff nurse and manager... Managing the area alone ( with the policy writing, oversight) is a full time job... I worry you'd be spread pretty thin... BTW, my background is critical care, I took a position at the VA 4 years ago and am happy that I did!

The VA pay scale is dependent on the area... A Nurse 2 in Reno NV makes less then a Nurse 2 in San Fransisco CA... From what I've been told, the VA looks at what nurses in the community make and try to have their pay scale somewhere in the middle... $16,000 isn't going to happen... Even the facility director tops out around $200-300,000 a year (can't make more then the president)...

I took a ton of NCLEX style practice questions...

Congrats!!! Welcome to the certified nurses club[emoji6][emoji322]!

NV is a "right to work state." You do not have to belong to the union... I work in Reno and the unions here do not seem very strong...

You made a mistake, that's rough..: but you self reported and took responsibility....in the facilities I have worked in, you would not be fired... Maybe have some increased education but that's about it... Talk to your manager before your next shift... They may alleviate some of your fears. Keep working hard, be careful, and use this experience as a learning moment... If this unit is to fast paced, look for something that may be a better fit... Don't give up!

You believe what you allow to occur... Meaning if you hear gossip and ignore it, you are part of the problem. When you hear people talking about others, address it... "X is not her to defend herself, we should not be talking about her." Is it hard? Yes, but necessary if you want to be part of the solution... Just my two cents...

If it were me, I'd focus on getting experience first then join the reserve. Your first year as a new RN can be challenging. If you join the Reserves now, you may find that you are spreading yourself to thin between your primary RN role and Reserve time.

Have you thought about Air Force Reserves? I am a CCRN certified Critical Care RN with 7 years experience. I applied for a position in July 2014, with my experience I had no problem getting a spot (I am prior enlisted and I only wanted a reserve slot).... Something to think about... I will say this, if you want to be a nurse, get the degree irregardless of your military options. It is a great profession. Good luck!

Go back to teaching full time and work per diem as an RN... You can get you MSN if you want to teach nursing...

Rectal tube....

I'm sorry that you are having a hard time right now. Don't give up on nursing just yet. If you have a good relationship with management, talk to them... At a minimum most hospitals have employee support/counseling programs. Additionally, maybe management can offer you more support/ensure your patient load meets your current skills. Also, if there is a more senior nurse/charge RN, seek support from them. We were all new once... Being a new grad alone is stressful. Find a mentor that you can talk to... Good luck, in general it does get easier.