rager2001

Hello, I've been away from nursing for 10 years and want to come back so I was hired in the ER. I've been on a long orientation ( 6 months now) and they are taking me off orientation but I do not feel ready. when I started I did not even know how to turn on an IV pump, or even how to draw blood, I only have an ADN and now I am carrying a patient load but I have my preceptor to ask questions of. I have not participated in a code yet, only watched. I have only done 3-4 catheters, and only had 1 pedi patient. I am in a busy hospital (1:5 ratio) and there is no team environment because everyone is drowning as we are so busy. I do not feel ready to be on my own but I can't imagine anyone letting me orient longer... I love the ER but should I call it quits and give up? Is there just too much of a learning curve to come back after 10 years.... When I was a nurse I only worked psych... never bed side nursing... I don't think my co-workers or boss understands I had zero experience but I made it clear to the director at the time when he hired me... any suggestions?? I feel like a failure...

This happens every year, last year the worst (live in Mass and got the record 8 feet of snow) and each storm I was scheduled. My options Employer did provide a bed to sleep in. However my facility is not somewhere I would want to sleep. Stay with a Co worker that lives near by. Do not be afraid to ask, no one want to drive in this and no one wants to be mandated be a use of a no show. Ask a Co worker that lives close a d car pool, even if you don't know them. Could be great bonding. And of course the hotel room which is not cost effective. However you could take the family a d make it a mini adventure lol

I absolutely agree, call MD have it ordered this avoids all the above problems.

I graduated 3 years ago and at least 40% of my class were CNAs like having g any job while going to nursing school it is a demanding balance. However, being a CNA gives you experience and connections that could help you land that RN or LPN job once you graduate. Absolutely do it, you just have to balance your time wffectively. Hope this helps.

Hello, I graduated about 3 years ago with my ADN and got my RN. I had a previous BSBA in management so went the ADN route. I took a job in nurse management right out of school and hated it and left. Now I've been a detox nurse since. I am stuck. I want to be in the ICU or Med Surg but ever since I graduated I can not even get into an interview, employers seem to want experience and I have none in that field. I can not do new grad any longer and have tried desperately to break into a specialty and cant. Does anyone have any advice for me?? I would even volunteer my time lol, but can't do that, I am so frustrated. Thank you for taking the time to read and offer any help! Oh I am located in Mass.