Returning RN

[WhiteRN]

I am new to this. I am a RN, BSN looking to find a job back in the hospital setting. I have stayed at home with my son for the last 2 yrs. and before that I worked as a allergy nurse for 3 years. So, the only experience I have in the hospital is 6mo. of peds. I am very nervous to return to the hospital setting. I have an interview for a telemetry unit but I am concerned that I may not be able to keep up with the pace of such critical patients. I was ACLS cert. until year ago but I have never had to use it. I am wondering if anyone can tell me a little about telemetry b/c I did not do a rotation on that unit. If anyone could give me an advice on returning to the hospital setting. I would appreciate it!

Thanks

[fmrnicumom]

I am not yet a nurse so can't really help as far as information goes. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck!

Tiffany

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I would imagine you will get a orientation lasting at least 10-12 weeks. You will also receive a telemetry class. Always report a change in rhythm. Review your ACLS. You will be nervous for awhile. You will get more comfortable. I am sure you will do fine. Always use your resource person on the unit until you are comfortable once off orientation. Good luck to you.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Usually these patients are not critical. These units are usually a stepdown unit and are usually a ratio of 4:1. You will have some drips but not many. I didn't ever work telemetry I went from med surg to the ICU. But I did work a med surg unit where they did have some tele and VS were q4h, and strips pulled q4h. Most of my patients were not on monitors on that unit. We only had 8 monitors for 32 patients. Many of which were syncope, r/o cva/tia. Good luck to you.

[jlcole45]

Why don't you return to what you were doing before - Peds? Or did you not care for it? Personally I think hospital nursing is the best because of the variety of patients, people and even for you shifts.

Tele floors generally is better staffed then typical med/surg floors. At a good hospital with supportive management, your patient load should not be greater then 5-6 with low to medium acuities especially during day or evening shift. There should be a unit secretary, tele. tech and nursing aides. As the name implies they are on telemetry units

for whatever reason.

I'm just returning to the hospital after a three year absence to a CV progressive unit which is a step above a regular tele unit - we get all the 1 day post of heart patients - they still have tubes, some with drips, and pacer wires - they require a lot of care so the highest ratio is 1:4, but the norm is 1:3.

It's actually set up really good - we even have DC nurses!

Go check it out and if you are uncomfortable then thank them and wait for the right opportunity. Best of luck to you.

[WhiteRN]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Wish me luck at the interview but I am thinking about staying at the clinic I work at b/c no holidays or weekends. The decision may be made for me.