EllaBella1

My old unit got dinged at our JCAHO assessment last year for not reassessing our PRNs. Everything is so micromanaged these days.

This article gives absolutely awful advice lol. If you think you have a problem ask your employer for a referral to a "non-punitive" BON program? Why on earth would anyone do that. If you feel you have a problem seek out help on your own, sure. But do NOT get your employer or the board involved unless you want to have your job impacted for no reason. And also per this article I have a substance abuse problem for having had a terrible shift at work and going home and having a few glasses of wine to de-stress? Right. Ok.

Student loans aren't dischargeable in bankruptcy. Even if you declare bankruptcy the student loans will still be there waiting for you. I would look into doctors offices or clinics for some clinical experience.

I'm in a similar boat- have been on nights for 4 years and start day shift next week. For me it's been a decision that was a long time in the making. I know I'm going to have to work harder for less money, but it's going to be so nice having a work-life balance on my days off. I would try it. Worst case scenario you can always go back.

I would skip this job. As rare as it is for a new grad to be hired into L&D, it's even more rare for a grad with a couple years of non-hospital experience to be hired into it. There are so many new grad programs out there now that help you transition into a hospital setting, but there are just not as many opportunities for established nurses who haven't worked in the hospital. I would use your new grad status to your advantage to get hired into a good hospital system, and then make the transition over to L&D when you are able to.

What in the actual... If I were that inmate I would pursue legal action. That's just wrong. And disgusting too.

Your best bet is to find a unit that is chronically understaffed if you want this kind of flexibility. I worked for two years in one exclusively as PRN and I was able to work 4 days/week, basically whenever I wanted because they were so grateful just to have the help. The downside of course is that it was kinda rough working with so few resources every day. But I was rarely floated, VERY rarely cancelled. In the long-term it burned me out and I moved on to a job where staffing was much better, but I was cancelled for low census a LOT more as a result. I ended up picking up my ehh PRN job again on the side for a few months because I could basically call them on a few hours notice whenever I felt like working and pick up a shift.

Your exact fears about becoming an FNP are why I've chosen not to go to grad school. I personally know several people who have graduated, passed their boards, and end up working bedside for a year to two years looking for a FNP job worth taking. It was enough to put me off from doing it. That said I do know some who are extra motivated who took the time to cultivate relationships with MDs and practices that they are interested in working with after graduation, and those people have all started working in jobs they like (although most with evenings/call involved). I think you'll find a job if you're the right amount of flexible in terms of either hours/position or location. You may need to move to find what you're looking for. Also, personal opinion. But going from NICU to Adult med-surg sounds awful. lol.

I disagree with the nurse who said you shouldn't have become a nurse knowing you have limitations. The great thing about nursing is that there are a huge range of jobs that you can do. I know plenty of people who never worked in an inpatient clinical position who do just fine in their respective roles. That said, I agree that most of these jobs will look for someone who has at least some clinical experience. It sounds like your job is trying to work with you which is great. If you can find a way to make it work I would try to stay in the ED for 6 months to a year to get that experience. If not I would second what some have said and look into urgent care, etc. Or what about inpatient/clinic specialties like wound care? I know it may not be typical for a new grad to start out there, but I have a friend from nursing school who did her capstone in a wound care clinic and started there fresh out of school. She loves it. I can tell you that CVICU is not going to be a good match for you. There is no sitting at the end of the bed and monitoring. You're constantly up and down, titrating drips, turning heavy patients, etc.

I would 100% rather see people come in and get checked out and end up not having it, versus pretending they don't have it and going about their lives in public infecting others. The media is a hot mess when it comes to healthcare info for sure. But I guess at least they're slightly balancing out the antivaxers on social media?

Can you take a job in a hospital? I'm assuming your pay would increase. Or find something PRN that would supplement your income?

I was paid a relocation bonus, but not to fly down for an interview. I interviewed over Skype. I'd say 99.9% of hospitals aren't going to pay for you to come interview.

It's most likely school or hospital policy. I would just ask. I do think there has been a shift away from practicing skills like those on real patients though. Most nursing schools do a lot of skills lab type things on mannequins, and I've found that a lot of new grads don't practice the skills on real patient's until their first job orientation.

What everyone else has said, but one tip to add- you usually can't get all of the air out unless you pop the tubing/white part of the cassette out of the pump. Don't forget to clamp your line down by the patient though because you'll bolus your patient with whatever is hanging if you just pop the cassette out while it's connected.

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. I'm currently working as a traveler, am 8 months pregnant, AND we had to do IVF to get pregnant. It's doable if you have the will to do it. It does sound like nursing is not for you. I think most of us have had very different experiences.