abouttimeRN

Just expunge EVERYTHING. It's worth it. I didn't and after I took my NLCEX they held my license until I did.

I had a criminal history and sitting for the NLCEX was no problem, it was after finding out I passed and waiting and waiting for my license to come only to get a letter saying that I wasn't going to be getting it until I cleared up some things on my record. I went that very day to get my issue expunged and it delayed me but I am grateful I did it.

I went from ICU to Hospice and it certainly helped me. I don't think it's necessary, I think you can get that knowledge base elsewhere, but you become familiar with vented patients, pain management, dosages, etc and you are forced to know your disease processes well. A lot of times you have to have hard discussions about benefit versus burden of certain treatments and if its a treatment you haven't experienced first hand (weaning from vent, discontinuing vasopressors, etc), it can be hard to speak about it in an informed way. Many of my colleagues started in an inpatient hospice setting then branched out in other arenas of hospice and are thriving.

I called in saying I threw up but in reality the NP who ran the show on the hospital unit I was on severely embarrassed me and "chewed me out" in front of a patient and I went into the hospital bathroom to cry and needed a mental health day. Within a few weeks I was interviewing elsewhere then I was out.

I left the floor to do hospice nursing. I am a liaison who goes into hospitals to evaluate and sign patients up for hospice care to get them home or to their NH. It's M-F and normal daytime hours with better pay than floor nursing...something to think about :)

As I interviewed for ICU positions, I explained one of my goals as an ICU nurse was to build relationships with patients and families so I could do teaching and cater to their emotional needs in addition to their glaring physical demands. I was open about this being a passion of mine. I ended up getting offers from two ICU's in different hospitals and went with one that was a very well known and very prestigious hospital. I knew it would be hard but I knew even if it was bad all I needed was a year and I could do as I pleased (even though I really thought this was the unit for me and it would be more than a job and actually a long-term career). Now that I am out of it I am able to best reflect on it: -My preceptor was mean. Call it an ICU thing, call it whatever you want but my preceptor (and most of the nurses) were very short, not extremely interested in getting to know me and were not patient. If I made an error or asked for a repeat explanation about a procedure (mind you with no negative patient outcomes) it was not uncommon to get scolded/yelled at/reprimanded by a preceptor. Admittedly though one time my patient was becoming hypotensive and I titrated the levo up too quickly. Again, no negative outcomes. -Hours were unrealistic. Shifts were not 12 or 12.5 hours, I found myself there 13-14 hours and I was on top of my charting and not really behind but the expectation was to wait for rounding MD's in the AM and if they were late or pushed back rounds, guess who was staying? -No time with patients. This seems obvious in a true ICU but something I guess I needed to be in to realize. Patients are so critical and unstable that there is no bonding, there is no teaching, there is no sitting down and holding hands. There is stabilizing then getting them to the floor. I could go on but I'd like to contrast this with hospice nursing. I have only ever done ICU and hospice nursing. I did briefly do case management but in terms of floor nursing these have been my only two. I am so happy now. I feel like such a weight has been lifted. I don't dread work or have as many countdowns. I have FRIENDS. Oh and the doctors are amazing. The ICU docs I worked with (there were 6 who circulated) were terrible. Great and smart doctors who I'd trust with my life but it was normal and accepted to cry at some point/frequently as a right of passage with them. This is something I wasn't okay with. No rights of passage in hospice. There are a lot of expectations and the positions I applied for wanted experience and I see why. There is a lot of independence in hospice nursing and a lot of clinical judgement to make on your own and doctors trusting your eyes on the patient since they are not there with you. I love it and have never looked back. Also the pay is incredible! If you are on the fence, make the move!

I am a few months into hospice nursing, also loving it! Congrats!

I've been at a trauma 1 hospital hired as a new grad and my base is jus over $28 and that's without differentials which are about 30%. You can do better. I think you'll grow to resent the contract.

I graduated Nov 21, 2015 and I took NCLEX 12/8/15 if that gives you any insight...I am in IL

Since you THINK you know what you want but you're a new grad and may not actually have a grasp on what you want I would take money and experience...SICU will be there especially with a solid background. Don't mean to be offensive but I also thought SICU was my calling and I just gave my notice...!

I think this is a bad idea. Places that do this are sometimes understaffed and make it look attractive but it turns out not to be then you owe them money. 10/hr is not livable and not appropriate for the amount of work you will be doing. Even 24 seems low to me. Move on.

This is very helpful! The timing thing does make sense although I feel like they won't buy it for some reason. I hope I am being anxious for nothing and it will go smoothly and professionally.

This is my fear that she will say that she could put me on another shift or make an effort to accommodate me. In an ideal world I'd just hand her the letter and walk out but I know this is not reality

So I am paranoid about colleagues reading this so I will try to be vague enough to not be recognized but inclusive enough that I can get the help I need. I am planning on giving notice of my resignation in the next few weeks. I have only worked on this unit (PICU) for a short time. Let's say more than 6 months but less than one year. I am not quitting because my colleagues are bad or the unit is terrible. It's truly not what I expected it to be as a newer nurse. I have a new job lined up with more money and a far better schedule. I hate the thought of coming in and I have severe internal stress and anxiety about work. Part of the reason is the demeaning/punitive nature of providers but for the most part, even before this became common practice, I just didn't feel as if it was a good fit. Obviously I cannot say this to my manager as I prepare to leave. In addition to a formal, short, professional letter...how does or how should the verbal exchange go? I am embarrassed/guilty about the short time I've been on the unit.

I'm curious what you ended up doing. I am a newer nurse and planning my resignation in the coming weeks...I have another job lined up...