Nurse3242

I'm just curious how many years should one stay at a job to not be considered a "job hopper." I was at my first job for three years, but I doubt I'll stay in my second job for that long (may be in this one for a year and a half minimum, but probably not much longer than that). Is that long enough to avoid being a "job hopper?"

Hi. Just a little context: I recently switched from ICU to outpatient clinic (I'm working in a Radiation Oncology center) and my goodness, I miss ICU. I felt like I needed a break and needed to try something different but I'm really missing my home, even though I knew it was time to do something else. How did you know what was the right nursing field for you and how long did it take you to decide whether or not a job was for you/ get used to a new job?

Which job that you've had made you the most "well-rounded" or would you consider the most "valuable" experience?

I am still in the ICU, but thinking about making a change in early 2019. I go sooooo back and forth. For weeks and weeks, I will be dead set on leaving and then something will happen that convinces me to stay! I will have to look into PACU at my hospital. I really believe that's something I would enjoy!

Advice for someone looking for their next job: How did you know what area of nursing was for you? For those who have worked in lots of different areas of nursing, how did you decide what was next? What area of nursing did you wind up in?

I have taken my CCRN :)

Hi, there. So I'm just curious as to how long is considered "enough time" to be considered competent in an ICU and for the experience to be valuable to perspective employers on a resume? I have been at my current job in the ICU for almost three years (three years in January) and feel like my time maybe coming to a close on my unit. Is three years enough time to be marketable as an ICU nurse?

I'm thinking about transitioning out of the hospital and into a position at a clinic. For those that have had both schedules (3 12 hour shifts vs. normal 8 or 9 to 5), which do you prefer? Perks and drawbacks of the clinic life vs. the hospital?

So don't get me wrong, I certainly am not a nurse for the money. I love bedside nursing and I chose this career because I love it. I have been a nurse on the same unit for 2.5 years and make just a little more than I did when I began as a nurse in my facility and was wondering when things "broke" for you, like when did you get your first big pay raise or your first job that payed more than your starting salary? When were you promoted within your hospital? Within bedside nursing, I feel like there isn't much career mobility and was wondering when others "caught their break"?

Hi! I am single, live alone and am thinking about getting a puppy. I was wondering if anyone believes this is do-able. I don't want to be cruel in getting a puppy and I really do want to make sure it is well taken care of. I work 12 hour shifts three days a week but would be willing to hire a dog walker to come take the puppy out. I would also plan to take the puppy on a 15 to 20 minute walk in the mornings before work and in the evenings when I got home.

Hi! I am an RN on a Neuro Intensive Care Unit. My facility provides tuition assistance, so I have applied to go back to school. I am choosing the Clinical Nurse Leader track. I was wondering if someone could provide some insight on what all this specialty track could entail and what doors it could open for my career. I have a BSN and feel like an MSN can only help me in the long run but would like some outside opinions.

Hi! I am an RN on a Neuro Intensive Care Unit. My facility provides tuition assistance, so I have applied to go back to school. I am choosing the Clinical Nurse Leader track, which I understand is different from a Clinical Nurse Specialist. How would I go about becoming a clinical nurse specialist with this degree, and what all does the clinical nurse specialist job entail? Do you love your work more than you loved it as a bedside RN? What are the challenges? Is the job market good? Any help is SO appreciated.

When you went from your first job to your second job, did your pay increase? I am considering leaving my current job for a different specialized area. While I would like to think I would have a pay increase because I have some experience under my belt, I worry I may have to take a pay cut to enter this specialty. My personal situation, I would be leaving a specialized adult ICU. What is everyone else's experience with this time of thing?

For those of you who work two nursing jobs: When did you feel comfortable taking on a PRN job? And what was your first PRN job?

I have been a Neuro ICU nurse for a year now. I began my career in the Neuro ICU and am looking to change gears here within the next year or two (I worry I'm not quite ready for the leap into something new just yet.). Any advice for an ICU nurse in the transition to ER?