Switching to transport, but with a dark past...

[epsilonprodigy]

hey guys, it's been awhile. I am a "2.5 year old" nurse, who started out in PICU but after 1.5 years, was "made to transfer", although according to the powers that be, not fired. I had a lot of issues with the culture and feeling like others were talking behind my back and judging me because I was a new grad. As a result, I stupidly spent a lot of time fretting over these things. This caused me to mess up on an insulin drip once (caught right away and the kiddo was fine... obviously I felt TERRIBLE!) Then there was THE SCALE INCIDENT: (see my previous posts) I put a 15 kg, pt. on the baby scale in order to confirm an estimated weight before giving a high-alert med, with the assistance of 2 others. this was viewed as a fall risk and, so to speak, was the beginning of the end. I was placed on an improvement plan and then "transferred" to the unit of my choice, with an "ever so sweet" promise from the higher-ups to keep mum about it all to my new unit and a "cordial" invitation to come back to PICU in 1 yr. when I had "gained more experience." Needless to say, I silently have some thoughts about exactly where the PICU can put it and have no intention of going back. I now work in the ED at the same hospital and am very happy. The director of transport recently encouraged me to apply for a transport position, which would mean a big raise and would also be great experience for med school (my ultimate goal.) I'd love to but am worried that the PICU stuff will come back to haunt me if the transport people ask PICU about me. Particularly because you have to do shadow days in PICU as a transport person. Should I approach my PICU manager and tell her I'm applying to transport to see if she has any more nasty tricks up her sleeve, not worry about it, or not even apply at all?

[Flightline, BSN, RN]

I think you should go on to med school and forget about nursing altogether. This is sincere advice given that you want to be a doctor and not a nurse.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

What, exactly is the job description of the transport person?

[epsilonprodigy]

Actually I am going on to med school, just finishing a few pre-req's and working to save some cash in the meantime. I will be starting med school in 2010.

A transport person is a pre-hospital nurse. They can intubate, do art-sticks and so on. Required is at least 2 years of critical care, be it ICU, NICU/PICU or ER. You start out on ambulances and eventually do flight transport if you want.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

I think you should go on to med school and forget about nursing altogether. This is sincere advice given that you want to be a doctor and not a nurse.

I concur.