what would you do in my situation?

[GCmomRN]

OK a little background- I've been a respiratory therapist for almost 7 years, worked in my current hospital for 6 years and was at a large university hospital for a year (plus a few years as per diem). Got my RN in October after graduating from Excelsior.

The ICU nurse manager had approached me in the past about starting in the ICU after graduation. So last month I called her and she never called me back. Almost 2 weeks later I saw her in the hospital and she said "oh I got your message, you need to take the critical care course" and gave me the info. I asked her at that point if there was a job opening (as the hospital is pretty much on a hiring freeze) and she said she was putting in for 2 new PT positions. I signed up for the courses but it's going to run me almost $1k to take them, plus I'll probably have to take an unpaid leave from my current position as the class is 3 weeks long. I haven't said anything about this to my current boss since I haven't been offered a position yet, but I really don't know what to do. I've seen this manager a few times since giving her a letter of interest but she hasn't mentioned anything about the job. I plan on calling her this week to find out what is going on, but if she can't give me a firm answer should I still take the class?

The other side of this is that the ICU there is rough. It seems like they are always short-staffed, no ward clerk, and an aide from 7-3 some days, but not everyday. They recently brought in residents and now it's like no one knows what is going on. It's not going to be a nice work environment, but my thought is that I need the experience so I would suck it up for 2 years and just do it. However, I am happy in my current position as an RT. I only work 1 shift a week and I have a 2 year old so for me its the perfect set-up since I don't have to find childcare and he isn't in school yet. I'm just afraid if I pass up this opportunity I'll regret it.

Sorry for rambling on, I've been so stressed out about this and not having a firm answer from the nurse manager is making it worse. If you made it this far, thanks!!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Don't feel bad for rambling - We've all had our share of venting/frustration/questioning threads.

It is hard to tell you what to do as I'm not in your situation.

However, in my hospital if they wanted me, they'd pay for the critical care course. And I'd have a firm offer. I think you are being asked to step out and take risks without any certain payoff. And it doesn't sound like a good place to work.

Since you have a 2 year old and you like your job and the schedule, I'd stay there for now.

In nursing, there are many opportunities. I've worked med/surg, L&D, ER. I'm doing hospice part-time now so I can be available for my son.

I don't think this job is the last time you'll be offered something.

Good luck.

steph

[GCmomRN]

steph- thanks so much!!! I asked about them paying for the course and she said I would have to put the money up front but I *might* get reimbursed. Another ICU nurse overheard the conversation and laughed and said- yeah maybe in a year and you have to keep harassing them. Awesome. I'm leaning towards walking away too, but DH thinks I would have wasted my time getting a degree if I don't do this. But like you said, there will be other opportunities down the road...

[caliotter3]

Without a firm offer in hand, I would only go through the trouble if the critical care course would help in your future career whether or not you get this particular job. And then, only take the course if you can manage it, timewise and financially, at this time. I wouldn't count on the employer paying, based on what you've heard.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

op: in your situation i would agree with the others and take the critical care course for your own knowledge when you are able to do so financially. however, i would not bother trying to get a job in a place i know is going to be a bad work environment. i have worked in two so far as a nurse and i refuse to knowingly walk into a similar situation.

can you survive two years without losing your license in such a poor icu? more then likely, but you will do it at a cost to your health and/or your sanity! note multiple threads of new nurses who have nightmares, go to work throwing up in their cars, have panic attacks before shifts, and are taking anti-depressants when they never did so before etc. because they work in bad environments. count your blessings that the icu manager is not actively seeking you and find another job.

[shoegalRN, RN]

op: in your situation i would agree with the others and take the critical care course for your own knowledge when you are able to do so financially. however, i would not bother trying to get a job in a place i know is going to be a bad work environment. i have worked in two so far as a nurse and i refuse to knowingly walk into a similar situation.

can you survive two years without losing your license in such a poor icu? more then likely, but you will do it at a cost to your health and/or your sanity! note multiple threads of new nurses who have nightmares, go to work throwing up in their cars, have panic attacks before shifts, and are taking anti-depressants when they never did so before etc. because they work in bad environments. count your blessings that the icu manager is not actively seeking you and find another job.

i was one of those ones who used to vomit in the parking lot before i went in for my shift. i, too, started off in a bad work environment and it was an icu.

nursing is too hard as it is. even harder for a new grad. the last thing i would do is start off my career in a bad working environment.

this is not the last offer (or lack thereof) that you will ever get.