Quiet Unit

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

Hi Everyone, 

For the past 3 years, I have worked in busy Med-Surg and COVID Units as a new grad nurse. Currently, I am working in a small rural CCU Unit of 5 beds closer to home. Most of the patients' acuity is low, and the ratio of patient:nurse is 1 to 2 patients. Additionally, we also monitor patients with telemetry (maximum 1 nurse can monitor 2-3 telemetries).

Sometimes, the patients' census in the Unit is low, Really Low! To the point that there is only 1 patient or just telemetries to monitor.

I have used my time wisely since I have so much time on my hands, to the extent that I have completed all of the required education for the Unit plus the yearly educational stuff from the Dept of Education, and I seem to have a lot of time in my hands now that everything is completed. 

We could go to other floors in the hospital and help out, but this is not always needed. I understand that I should be thankful to work in a low-paced environment after working in busier and big units. 

Should I continue my education at work? Perhaps look into getting my CCRN credentials, although I don't have exposure to critical-ill patients? Study towards a higher degree in Nursing? What would you do?

 

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