Here's my deal - I graduated last spring and spent a long time looking for a job - it came down between two hospitals. One hospital is one that is five minutes from home and the other is a very large teaching hospital an hour away from my home. I ended up taking the job at the hospital five minutes from my house on a cardiopulmonary/telemetry unit and am just about off orientation now. The staff so far has had such a horrible turn over rate and the management increases nurse-pt ratios on daylight with NO call offs and no supervisors will take assignments.
A very good opportunity has arisen at this teaching hospital for a very coveted intensive care unit position (my dream). What would you guys do? I feel SO bad because all the nurses on my unit that I work on now talk about how nurses leave all the time and how nobody can tough it out - but it feel sooo unsafe!! I know it's good to get this experience first, but it just feels awful to have an nonsupporting staff and such... I also have to consider that if i leave this job right off orientation, chances are I will be "burning bridges" :///
Go for the "dream job", but remember that this position can come with unsafe ratios as well, and ICU patients are sicker (you may start out with Tele overflow).
The ICU ratio at my hospital went to a 4:1 (on a bad night) and pushing 3:1 most nights.
Don't let this discourage you (you should definitely go for it), but take it as a warning and be aware that things can get unsafe. When management says something like "we'll NEVER push you to 3", grab your ankles and brace yourself, cause here it comes.
Supernurse777
2 Posts
Go for the "dream job", but remember that this position can come with unsafe ratios as well, and ICU patients are sicker (you may start out with Tele overflow).
The ICU ratio at my hospital went to a 4:1 (on a bad night) and pushing 3:1 most nights.
Don't let this discourage you (you should definitely go for it), but take it as a warning and be aware that things can get unsafe. When management says something like "we'll NEVER push you to 3", grab your ankles and brace yourself, cause here it comes.