Time for a change?

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Well, it's official....my new wife and I have been married 2.5 weeks! And on the heels of that comes more changes at my job. I work ortho/neuro/medical, and I realized last night I'd been back for 2 days, and I was already a grump. Nothing like a vacation to make you realize what your job really is. It hit me that I think I'm sick of the general, go to work give pain meds, and deal with the same broken bones and back sxs over and over...plus our shift is never covered well, I had to call a behavior code on the old guy who was confused and swinging because I couldn't get a sitter from the big bosses as we were over "budget" for the pay period.

I had 5 pts total and they were all kinda heavy...lots of meds, pain issues, the same over and over....I think I'm sick of the fact that it feels like nobody has their act together on the previous shift, and I usually have to come in and fix things at 6pm when I see the patients..such as pain issues, things that should have been called but weren't, etc.....I'm just tired of the same thing every time I work.

As I was trying to get done charting, my MIL(who I have a very good relationship with) mentioned that someone on night shift found a job closer to home, so they put in their notice....pushing semi strongly for me to apply for the position(Tele floor that deals with the caths.) Need to do some thinking about it.

so a couple of questions:

1.Anyone work tele with these types of patients? or tele in general? How stressful is it?

2. anyone ever work with family? advice?

3. If I do decide to apply, how should I inform my boss? don't want to spring it on her and cause some rift if I don't get it of course.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

I think you should go for it! At least inquire about it and see what it's like. I've worked with this population before. I don't think it's any more stressful than what you are doing now. Any kind of cardiac/telemetry experience can only help you, in my opinion. Everyone has a heart! There will be more codes and other emergencies that you will learn to manage. As far as informing your boss, I would wait for a formal job offer before telling your current boss. If you interview and nothing comes of it, you are none the worse for wear if you just keep it to yourself. Good luck!

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

I have worked tele and it could be stressful, but then so can any job in nursing. If it was a well staffed shift it went fairly well most days.

Yes, I have worked with family and for the most part it went well. Just keep work separate from home. A lot depends on your relationship outside of work.

I honestly would not tell my boss until I have a firm job offer in writing and a start date. I do not care how well I get along with a boss they tend to get a little crappy when you are quiting on them.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Not sure exactly why, maybe it's the title, but this thread made me want to listen to some Little River Band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0eT-9qwL8k

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[pedimac]

Pediatrics is fun. I'm a guy, and I love it.

Patients are smaller, you can play with the kids.

Plus - A year ago, I had a kid mad at me all night because his mom was at home with his sister. He fell asleep around midnight, but had written a note - "I'm sorry I was mean. You are a good nurse. Please tell me bye before you leave." That was freakin awesome.

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

I've taken care of post-cath lab patients when our cardiac unit is full and they overflow into the ICU. They're usually follow the same pattern: Chest Pain -> Ambulance -> ED -> Cath Lab -> No more Chest Pain. Here's your metoprolol (if not contraindicated) and your statin, have a good night! Depending on the physician, I may have to pull a sheath, and the patient is usually on bedrest for a good 6 hours after that's out. Of course, there are possible complications, but they're pretty rare in my experience. Otherwise, "telemetry" patients are those that are receiving continuous cardiac monitoring for whatever reason. Sometimes you have to treat an acute Afib or SVT and you have your occasional Code Blue. Other than that, the patients are usually pretty independent. I'm sure you'll learn more about the types of patients in your interview.

I've never worked with family. Is your MIL a RN too?

I would find out your facilities policy for giving notice (usually 2 weeks) and tell the new job that you'd be able to start two weeks after a job offer was given. Give notice once you've received your new job. Don't mention anything prior to that. Don't burn that bridge down while your car is still on it.

[nyrn5125]

dont know if leaving would be any better for you. tele med surg usually get a variety of pt's depending on the hospital.usually have 8 pt's. surgeries like ortho, gi, urologic, open heart,cath's (try to get a person with behavior problems to stay on bed restfor 6 hours and when they get up they vagal) plus the caridac problems that the person already has a hx of. pt might have been adm for colon resec but goes into chf and has afib. instead of just a colon resec. never just one problem always multiple issues. plus you are usually the monitor tech. family can be awful at at times. days are crazy most of the time.night a bit lighter. it depends on whether you think a change would be best for you or if you can tough it out. find out the staffing ratio. if it's around 6 then it sounds good. if you do change make sure you leave on good terms

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I know I like floating to tele and may try to transfer over myself someday. It's a totally different type of nursing and a nice change from the same surgeries and painful, whiny pts. And at least in my hospital tele is better staffed since they are most likely to get either ED admits or ICU/CICU transfers at short notice.