Want to try something new

[chacmool]

Hey guys,

I worked in Med/Surg oncology for a little over a year and I haven't ever done anything else. I just moved to Rhode Island and I am looking for a job and I'm finding I'm not qualified for a lot of things. I always thought the hospital would be willing to train me for something new like labor and delivery or ICU but they don't seem to be. I got an interview for an oncology position but I would like to try something more challenging, something to advance my nursing skills. Is there anyone that has something they really like that could be a step up from med/surg. For example, I might be able to do a step down but I don't know if I would like an ICU setting. Is there anyone with an opinion about working in ICU? Does anyone have tips on how to advance myself? Any tips would be great. Thanks!

-Lauren

[rn2bn07, BSN, RN]

Why don't you try cardiac telemetry? You learn how to interpret cardiac rhthmns and arrythmias, you'll deal with cardiac drips, such as, nitro, dobutamine, dopamine, amiodarone, primacor, etc... Its not a step down unit, no mechanical vents, so your focus is on mostly cardiac and med/surg. Its a very marketable unit. Every time I apply for a position and I tell them I have cardiac tele experience, they seem to be happy and hire me.

Good Luck in wherever you go, and by the way a lot of hospitals are now hiring nurses into specialty units such as ER, and some ICU's. They are willing to train you if you commit a year on the floor. I would call the nurse recruiter of the hospital you are applying for and ask what there requirements are.

[FFMedic2RN]

You must make a complete pain in the ass of yourself to the nurse recruiters. I tried for a few months and did not hear anything back. Then I got persistent and kept calling every day. Kent County hospital was looking for help as well as Miriam hospital. I just found my job before they called me back. Good luck and make a pain of yourself.

Stay safe

[chacmool]

Thanks guys- that's helpful. I have an interview at RI hospital that looks promising. I think they are hiring for a tele med/surg- that could be interesting. Is it very acute? Like are there a lot of codes since it's a tele unit? I agree- I don't think I would be into the vent thing at all and this seems like it could be a good alternative, but at the same time, I don't know how comfortable I am with patients that could code any second. Since I'm a fairly new nurse I'm not all that familiar with all the different specialties.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

A tele floor usually has a ratio of 5 to 1 or 6 to 1. Patients are not gonna code any second or else they'd be in ICU. Usually on a tele unit you get ED patients which chest pain, arrythmias (sp?), a fib, stroke, that kind of stuff. Thanks to JCHAO most hospitals now have a Rapid Response Team which greatly diminishes the incidents of CODE BLUE's in a given facility.