To transfer or not?

I did just this same thing back in Sept. I started my 2nd semester of my MSN program in Aug, and my new job in CCU in Sept. I have had no regrets.

I went from working 60-70 hrs a wk salaried in home care to working 3 12 hr shifts. The hrs are better, the pay is better, and the most important thing for me was the opportunity that I had before me.

I have learned things that I had forgotten, and many, many new things. Im at a teaching hospital, so that made it even better. I have met some great physicians and nurses and staff in general.

It was hard for the first month with all the orientation classes that I had for the job and getting used to a different class and instructor in school, but I made it through and wouldnt change anything about it. I am learning new things that will help me in my NP role, as well as expanding on my RN.

Of course, that was me. You have to do what is best for you, weigh the pros and cons. Make a list if you have to, decide what you need. Then go for what you really want.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.

I am a part-time NP student; working full-time nights. I have been offered an interview for a transfer to the CCU from a telemetry unit. I would love to work in this type of setting as I've had a bit of critical care experience at a previous facility and LOVED it. When I came to my current facility there were no critical care positions available.

My question- how difficult do you all think it will be to transfer to another unit and begin my second semester of grad school at the same time. I know this means another long orientation, but I kind of think it would be worth it. Any thoughts?

Although you may not think it is realistic, I would advocate you consider attending NP school full time. Unless you are seeking an ACNP the ICU will not provide you with any additional foundation from which you can build upon as a NP

Although you may not think it is realistic, I would advocate you consider attending NP school full time. Unless you are seeking an ACNP the ICU will not provide you with any additional foundation from which you can build upon as a NP

The reason I am not attending NP school full-time is for financial reasons. I bring in a much higher income than my husband who teaches; so we depend on my full-time paycheck. I don't think I could do NP school full-time AND work full-time.

With regards to the CCU position, I am not just doing it for the experience that will benefit me once I graduate. While I'm still working on my MSN, I'd like to develop my nursing skills further, and I feel that having critical care experience can be beneficial. I would love to gain more knowledge of the different meds, ventilators, and procedures. PLUS, I am ready to move from floor nursing and just have a new experience altogether! I was just concerned about overwhelming myself during school. :uhoh21:

The reason I am not attending NP school full-time is for financial reasons. I bring in a much higher income than my husband who teaches; so we depend on my full-time paycheck. I don't think I could do NP school full-time AND work full-time.

With regards to the CCU position, I am not just doing it for the experience that will benefit me once I graduate. While I'm still working on my MSN, I'd like to develop my nursing skills further, and I feel that having critical care experience can be beneficial. I would love to gain more knowledge of the different meds, ventilators, and procedures. PLUS, I am ready to move from floor nursing and just have a new experience altogether! I was just concerned about overwhelming myself during school. :uhoh21:

Most NP schools offer trainneship $$$ for full time students, the $$$ will not equal what your making as a RN. Usually cover tuition and books with a little left over. The CCU experience will prepare you for CCU, the meds/procedures/vents are not part of the NP program or subsquent practice. If you want tochange , change to primary care, even a ED may provide those skills you are seeking to enrich your role. Good Luck!

Most NP schools offer trainneship $$$ for full time students, the $$$ will not equal what your making as a RN. Usually cover tuition and books with a little left over. The CCU experience will prepare you for CCU, the meds/procedures/vents are not part of the NP program or subsquent practice. If you want tochange , change to primary care, even a ED may provide those skills you are seeking to enrich your role. Good Luck!

Thanks for the reply. I am still trying to decide. It is hard b/c there are several nurses I work with that I would love to transfer away from-just really negative, pessimistic attitudes, very hateful. However, I am afraid the CCU will not benefit me much as a PCP. Not any more than telemetry will and my other RN experiences. Just afraid of taking on too much at once....

Thanks for the reply. I am still trying to decide. It is hard b/c there are several nurses I work with that I would love to transfer away from-just really negative, pessimistic attitudes, very hateful. However, I am afraid the CCU will not benefit me much as a PCP. Not any more than telemetry will and my other RN experiences. Just afraid of taking on too much at once....

I hear you when you're saying you don't want to be overwhelmed with too much at once. I'm not exactly in the same situation as you but I also feel overwhelmed because I've been an RN for 6 months now on a tele/med/surg floor and I like it there, but I also just got accepted into grad school (to become an acute/critical care NP) and I start classes in May AND my husband and I are looking to buy our first house right now. We put an offer down yesterday and he's been on the phone with the realtor today so we'll see what happens. So when i'm in school I'm only going to work 24 hours /week to have time to study for classes and to keep our health benefits, but now I'm wondering if that is enough money to pay for a mortgage and grad school (my job only reimburses me for a small amt of tuition per year). i'm very worried and not sure what to do about it all. For you I would say talk to your grad school professors and see what they think about you working in tele vs. ER or ICU-like which setting they think will be most beneficial to you for the future. Good`luck. :)

-Christine

I hear you when you're saying you don't want to be overwhelmed with too much at once. I'm not exactly in the same situation as you but I also feel overwhelmed because I've been an RN for 6 months now on a tele/med/surg floor and I like it there, but I also just got accepted into grad school (to become an acute/critical care NP) and I start classes in May AND my husband and I are looking to buy our first house right now. We put an offer down yesterday and he's been on the phone with the realtor today so we'll see what happens. So when i'm in school I'm only going to work 24 hours /week to have time to study for classes and to keep our health benefits, but now I'm wondering if that is enough money to pay for a mortgage and grad school (my job only reimburses me for a small amt of tuition per year). i'm very worried and not sure what to do about it all. For you I would say talk to your grad school professors and see what they think about you working in tele vs. ER or ICU-like which setting they think will be most beneficial to you for the future. Good`luck. :)

-Christine

I know exactly how you feel. This past August my husband and I moved about 2.5 hours from where we lived; bought our first house! :balloons: I ALSO started my first semester of grad school (FNP program-part-time). We both ALSO began new jobs-I really wanted critical care at the time but nothing was open. Then I met some friends in my NP classes who work CCU; and recently the full-time position opened. Plus my classes have just began, have grad research and advanced pharm. One blessing, though, is that I don't officially move to CCU for another five weeks, have to finish out my schedule.

I completely understand the craziness of trying to do everything you're doing. But hang in there; its busy but I really think its worth it. You & your husband will fall into a pattern as things go along, and everything will fall into place. I was nervous about taking on a mortgage too; but I am also working full-time. Could you work PRN to get a higher pay, and maybe get benefits elsewhere? What about benefits through your husband's job? Its a huge step and a scary one to do school and buy a home, plus work, but it is totally worth it! :)

I know exactly how you feel. This past August my husband and I moved about 2.5 hours from where we lived; bought our first house! :balloons: I ALSO started my first semester of grad school (FNP program-part-time). We both ALSO began new jobs-I really wanted critical care at the time but nothing was open. Then I met some friends in my NP classes who work CCU; and recently the full-time position opened. Plus my classes have just began, have grad research and advanced pharm. One blessing, though, is that I don't officially move to CCU for another five weeks, have to finish out my schedule.

I completely understand the craziness of trying to do everything you're doing. But hang in there; its busy but I really think its worth it. You & your husband will fall into a pattern as things go along, and everything will fall into place. I was nervous about taking on a mortgage too; but I am also working full-time. Could you work PRN to get a higher pay, and maybe get benefits elsewhere? What about benefits through your husband's job? Its a huge step and a scary one to do school and buy a home, plus work, but it is totally worth it! :)

The problem is my husband does not get any benefits at his job, so he depends on me and my job for them. Plus he has type I diabetes so he has a lot of insulin, test strips and insulin pump supplies he needs to get every month, so if I switched to per diem at my hospital & lost my benefits i'd have to get my grad school's health insurance plan (which is Aetna/Chickering group) and I don't think they cover any of those supplies. So for now I'm going to stay where I am and try to pick up extra shifts when I'm not in school and then cut back to 24 hours (what I'm at now) during school. It always seems like either nothing is happening, or else it's happening all at once! :)

-Christine

The problem is my husband does not get any benefits at his job, so he depends on me and my job for them. Plus he has type I diabetes so he has a lot of insulin, test strips and insulin pump supplies he needs to get every month, so if I switched to per diem at my hospital & lost my benefits i'd have to get my grad school's health insurance plan (which is Aetna/Chickering group) and I don't think they cover any of those supplies. So for now I'm going to stay where I am and try to pick up extra shifts when I'm not in school and then cut back to 24 hours (what I'm at now) during school. It always seems like either nothing is happening, or else it's happening all at once! :)

-Christine

Well, I'm just starting out, but I think your plan sounds excellent. I am in an FNP and switched from cardiac rehab to the ER just before I started school. It TOTALLY jump started my brain and had me thinking about new things, new procedures, new meds...all in a good way and all in a way that is conducive to grad school learning.

I am taking school on a part-time basis...I refuse to sacrifice my family in the process so I will plod along taking two classes at a time and none in the summer. It sounds like you totally know what is best for your family and keeping benefits going should be a priority. Kudos to you for recognizing that and taking care of your family.

Well I totally understand not wanting to sacrifice family time. I am the same way, that's why I was hesitant to make the switch to CCU. But I interviewed and found it will not require any more time away from home than my typical work schedule; 3-12 hour shifts a week. I am looking forward to the challenge; I think it will add a nice kick to my grad school learning, being able to work with new patients, procedures, and meds. Plus it will definitely look nice on my resume as a FNP. Good luck!