Quitting my 1st RN job

[Nori.Giselle]

I current work in the TICU. I really want to work in the PICU; however, they didn't haven't any openings when I was applying. I've always wanted to work Peds!! I don't hate my job. Its ok. The teamwork is great and my coworkers are always there if I have questions. I want some advice on how long I should stay where I'm at before I apply. I will say while I'm here I will learn everything I can (crrt, ecmo, recovering liver, lungs, kidney and pancreas transplants) so that when I do apply I'll at least be marketable! P.S. I might possibly stay PRN whenever I do decide to leave. How long should I wait? TIA for the advice!

[didi768]

I "think" the TICU at the Mpls MN VA Hospital means Thorasic ICU and the SICU was Surgical ICU. I could be wrong though on the TI. I will ask my buddy who did work it lol.

[elkpark]

You asked for advice in your OP.

Judging from your most recent post you weren't really looking for advice at all.

They never are -- they're just looking for people to tell them they're right to do what they've already decided to do.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

They never are -- they're just looking for people to tell them they're right to do what they've already decided to do.

And yet we still keep trying to give good advice that will actually help them. (Shaking head). Sometimes I wonder why we bother.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

They never are -- they're just looking for people to tell them they're right to do what they've already decided to do.

I guess my question is (and i ask this sincerely), is it wrong to consciously or subconsciously, want to be affirmed?

[macawake, MSN]

I guess my question is (and i ask this sincerely), is it wrong to consciously or subconsciously, want to be affirmed?

Not at all. I think that most of us, at least to some degree, are looking for that. What I do think is wrong, is being rude and calling people immature when one doesn't receive the affirmation one was hoping for.

[caliotter3]

I guess my question is (and i ask this sincerely), is it wrong to consciously or subconsciously, want to be affirmed?

Nothing inherently wrong with affirmation seeking, people don't appreciate the snarkiness sometimes encountered when they respond to these posts.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Not at all. I think that most of us, at least to some degree, are looking for that. What I do think is wrong, is being rude and calling people immature when one doesn't receive the affirmation one was hoping for.

I understand. But when I read posts like this,

"You clearly have no respect for seasoned nurses, even those in your specialty (critical care).

Ruby Vee can run circles around you, competencies completed or not.

So be careful.

And check your attitude at the door."

or

"The fact that you seem to think you know it all after a year truly concerns me. A safe competent nurse will never stop running out of things to know whether they are one year or twenty years out of nursing.

"

Or the generalized side comment on the same thread, "It concerns me that so many young nurses don't seem to understand the differences between "finishing my competencies" and "being competent." Do they really think that a brief class and a multiple choice test makes them COMPETENT? Or do they not understand the word or the idea of competence?"

How can anyone not feel defensive with statements and tones like these? I certainly would. I'm not the type to antagonize someone (not saying that this is what these posters attempted to do, but that I could see why comments like this could offend someone). But maybe others received these comments as something entirely different. Maybe the OP did too.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I guess my question is (and i ask this sincerely), is it wrong to consciously or subconsciously, want to be affirmed?

No, it isn't wrong to want to be affirmed, whether consciously or subconsciously. What I find troubling is posting on an international forum such as this one asking for advice and then attacking those posters with whom you disagree. Someone who has taken the trouble to try to give you the advice you asked for should be thanked, even if you disagree with that advice. If you cannot bring yourself to thank them, at least don't attack them, trash them or otherwise disrespect them.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Competency is a relative term. The NCLEX deems a new nurse "competent" and safe enough to start your career as a nurse. Hopefully under the guidance and supervision of an experienced nurse. But unfortunately, some places are not as competent in training new nurses. I passed my NCLEX the first time I took it within 75 question. Was I a competent nurse? No, not by a long shot. Now after working for awhile, I am more competent, but I know nurses that have been in the floor for a decade that I wouldn't deem as a "competent" nurse. It's a relative term. There is no timeline to competency. One would hopefully be competent in any field of work after a couple of years, but even then, it's not a guarantee.

Benner's Stages of Clinical Competence lists five stages; "Competence" being the third after Novice and Advanced Beginner. "Competence" occurs after two to three years in the same job or one very similar to it. According to Benner, there IS a timeline for competence, and one year isn't nearly there.

I stand by my statement that "finishing competencies" doesn't make you competent, and that only after being in a job for two years will you be competent. Although, having given Benner a closer look, perhaps I should amend that to "only after being in a job 2-3 years can you expect to be competent."

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I think the terms "competent" or "not yet competent" actually mean different things to different people. In nursing, someone new to the profession or to a given specialty may be seen as "not yet competent." But that doesn't mean the person is a buffoon, incapable of performing at a certain acceptable level with that person's inexperience taken into account. It's not "incompetent" in the usual sense of the word.

In nursing, particularly in specialties like critical care, cath lab, OR, and ER, one can be good enough "for now, given your experience," but it generally takes at least a couple of years to be competent in the sense that you are considered equal to your more experienced peers.

I think too much attention and offense is being given to the words "competent," and "not yet competent." Consider these terms in context.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

So much immaturity from "seasoned" nurses.

Mature, hell NO!!!!

This is much to much of a serious business to be serious all the time.

And before some special snowflake accuses me of being cavalier and not a safe nurse, or anything like that, I go to the mats for my patients, and am incredibly privlidged to be able to walk through the darkest moments with them and support their families once the patient is gone.

I'm off duty and after the last five days I've had, if I dont interject a bit of humour into this now, i may scream

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

If you don't have anything positive to say then don't comment. You all are taking this to a place it doesn't need to go. I haven't seen immaturity like this since middle school.

OP Do yourself a favor and don't engage. I wish you the best of luck!

I know, we are all mean nasty people, bla bla bla ad nauseum ad infinitum.

Seriously if people having opinions that dont line up with yours really bothers you that much, I suggest you stay off internet message boards