WowzersRN

Wow, this question completely and totally encompasses the situation that I'm currently having. I have a pending PICU interview and if I get it I'm definitely going to leave my current job. I feel bad because I like the people that I work with but I don't like the culture of the unit. Management is always threatening to suspend/fire us for whatever reason. I don't want to feel like I'm staying somewhere because I have to. I want to work somewhere I feel happy and enjoy going to every day.

Any NYC nurses that work as per diem? I'm curious as to how per diem works. Is there a mandatory amount of days you have to schedule? Do they give you from set days to choose from? Is there a minimum amount of shifts/hours you have to work in a month? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

How long do you think I should wait before getting a second job as per diem? I was thinking about waiting about 6 months before I start applying. I'll be out of orientation by then and would be working on my own for about 2 months. I'm currently working in the ICU should I apply for another ICU position or med-surg? Thanks in advance.

Awesome story about the doctor Totalnoob. :)

I don't want to quit because it's tough. I can definitely stick it out. I just don't like the unit itself. I don't like the attitudes of staff towards the patients and what I sometimes believe are unsafe practices. I know that everyone hates their first year. More than likely I won't quit maybe I just need to vent and hear what other people think. Thanks Chadmasters.

I'm a new grad who was lucky enough to get hired for an ICU position. I was super excited because critical care was what I wanted to focus on after school except that I wanted to work with kids. I was fine to work with adults in the meantime because I get experience and probably change to peds later on. I've been at my current hospital for 3 months and I won't say that I hate it but I'm not very happy. Orientation used to be 6 months which they shortened to 3 months, you feel pressured to get off orientation sooner than later and I hate that everyone keeps saying "when I started I never got 3 months blah blah blah.....". It's not a supportive environment. There's no organization. Oftentimes we start our shift and 20 minutes into it we have our assignments changed. What's worse is it already takes 15-20 minutes to get our assignments in the first place. You're not starting your work until about an hour into your shift, which sucks!!! The culture of the unit is not very nice in my opinion. The physicians sometimes say the most insensitive comments on the floor. It's an open floor concept everyone including other patients and family members can hear the comments. It's difficult to hear some of the comments that I hear. We're in this profession to care about people. I'm not sure what's going on maybe everyone is jaded. The unit is severely understaffed and many times the nurses end up with 3 patients. What I want to know is how bad would it be to quit? I wouldn't quit before I get a new job but what could I say during the interview that would be acceptable. Can I say that I'm worried about the nursing patient ratio? I wouldn't bad mouth the unit/hospital because that's a no no but what is acceptable? Additionally, I really want to work with kids. Should I just stick it out and get my 1 year of experience? Any suggestions/comments/advice I would greatly appreciate it.