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From: esrun3
Date: 07-09-2005, 11:13 PM (1 of 13)
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I've been out of floor nursing for 2 1/2-3years and am thinking of going back. While my job right now is in healthcare, no weekends, no holidays, it is also M-F and I'm feeling the pull to go back to 3 12's a week where I can pick up some overtime and not feel like I'm giving up all my time off to do so. Miss the pt contact as well but am wondering if things have changed so much in the 3 years that I'm going to feel like a new grad again and be sorry I switched back? If I go back, I'll go back to nights-always was my favorite shift and I actually sleep better during the day than at night. Almost have my mind wrapped around working weekends & holidays again. Really not such a big deal anymore with my kids grown and my grandchildren all live close enough I could take them during the week and even take the oldest one to school if I needed to. Guess the biggest thing holding me back is fear......just good old fear, I guess. Too much new? Will it all come back? Have I lost too many of my skills? Hope someone out there has some answers. Have an interview next week with a good hospital and the nurses I know who work there love it, good benefits, think of their staff as well as their patients but........... Thanks for anyone's input! Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Catalina
Date: 07-10-2005, 03:54 AM (2 of 13)
| I read your post and it sure hit home. I worked the 3- 12's at the hosp and loved it. It gave you time off during the week and I could always pick up extra time. I didn't mind working holidays or week-ends either. Then I got MS and couldn't floor nurse. I then taught nurses aides, which I liked, but got to feel better and got the urge to return to floor nursing, so I went back to work at a Nursing Home(I have worked at them before too- I thought it would be a slower pace and less stress) I lasted a year.Several months later I was feeling better and I thought I would do paper work in the nursng home, even tho it was 5 days a week, but the stresss of working in the administrative was worst than floor nursing. In a heartbeat if I could go back it'd be to floor Nursing. Its been seven years since I nursed now. I would go back if I could. My friend just returned to Nursing after 5 years and she said not much has changed. There are a lot of new meds, and also learning the new technology (Iv machines,etc) was quite easy. I think the first month might be stressfull just getting back in the hang of it, but hospitals are so short staffed (where I'm at) they they'll be more than happy to help you. I think starting IV's will come back quickly, then of course it'll depend what area you go back to. I usually worked med-surg. They should also give you a good orientation. You'll be kinda like a graduate nurse, I had a new nurse in the er the other night and you could tell she was new, but I'm sure in a few months she'll be feeling like shes been there for years. I say go for it and good luck. I was already to volunteer at hospice but have since had a relapse, but as soon as I'm better I will volunteer either there or at a nursing home. I really miss the patients. If you don't like it after a few months you can always go back, but I'm betting you'll like it. good luck to you. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: toadusew
Date: 07-10-2005, 09:41 AM (3 of 13)
I am not a nurse, but I do have a special place in my heart for nurses in general. My dad is now deceased, but the last few years of his life he was in and out of hospitals a lot, and in one case, it was the nurse who accurately diagnosed him--not the doctor. We were fairly lucky with getting good nurses, but there were not enough of them! The nurses who were on the floor were often so busy that any patient request (including needing a trip to the restroom) often went ignored or it was more than 30 minutes before a nurse could get to the room. I'm all in favor for having more nurses on the floor. If you are feeling that pull to go back to floor nursing, by all means go for it! 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: esrun3
Date: 07-10-2005, 05:45 PM (4 of 13)
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Thanks for your input ladies! I can use all the encouragement I can get at this point! My daughter says I was nicer when I was working nights with the patients than I am now doing utilization review by phone! LOL Catalina-hope you are feeling better soon. I've decided many of us are just made to be around the pt population and aren't really pencil pushers! Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 07-10-2005, 06:25 PM (5 of 13)
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I work in the lab at our local hospital and I just have to say that I totally admire anyone who has the compassion, guts and stamina to be a nurse. I watch our nurses and know without a doubt that it takes a very special type of person to be a nurse. You gals/guys have a demanding soul wrenching thankless job at times and I just want to thank you for the heart and soul that you put into your work. Bless you ALL.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Dede
Date: 07-11-2005, 07:02 PM (6 of 13)
| Things always happen and everything falls into place when we are ready for it. I think you have the answer to your question it's just a matter of time (or timing) now. All the experience you've gained since the last time you worked the floor will come in handy when needed. Good luck. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: esrun3
Date: 07-11-2005, 07:13 PM (7 of 13)
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Thanks ladies! I appreciate the input more than you can know. I should have answers by the end of the week and we'll see what my gut tells me too.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: patti2
Date: 09-15-2005, 04:41 PM (8 of 13)
I wish I had seen your thread earlier! I am an RN and have worked nights in a large trauma center for 20 years. I can't imagine doing anything else. Yes, things change all of the time, new drugs, new equiptment and new protocols. But one thing that is always the same is the patients. Basically, the care is the same, the sense of satisfaction is the same, the rewards and the negatives are the same. I love what I do and feel this is what I was meant to do with my life.Good luck with your decision, and let me know what you decide. 
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User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: esrun3
Date: 09-16-2005, 12:05 AM (9 of 13)
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Hi Patti, I had just about decided to go back to the floor and then my mom passed away and we are STILL dealing with all the stuff that goes on with settling the estate. Plus now my daughter is starting on Monday at my place of business so............guess I'm staying put for awhile. The hospital was real nice about it and say they understand so I'm hoping when things settle down I'll be able to start there without too much hassle. I just don't feel at this point that I can handle the stress of a new job on top of my mom's passing a little over a month ago and trying to stay on top of my brother and sister who continue to try and take advantage of me and my younger sister. feel like I have enough stress to contend with at this time. thanks for you words of encouragement & support! Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: patti2
Date: 09-16-2005, 08:53 AM (10 of 13)
| That's probably a very good decision. Nursing is stressful enough without outside stressors added on. Good luck. |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: Dede
Date: 09-23-2005, 06:35 PM (11 of 13)
| Hugs are coming your way. You made the right choice. It will be there for you when you get back on your feet. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: esrun3
Date: 09-23-2005, 06:43 PM (12 of 13)
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thanks everyone for your support and comments. Once I made the decision I felt much better. Now I can deal with what I need to deal with and go back when the time is right.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: gm23237
Date: 10-08-2005, 10:12 PM (13 of 13)
I was a nurse for over 22 years. I did not like working the floors. LOL, if you got a patient that was difficult for you to handle it always seemed that patient was yours for their stay. I did floors for the first 2 1/2 years and then went into ER, I remained in Er for 16 years. I then loved back to virginia and once again i went back to floor nursing. I think that being in ER really helped me to go back to floors. You will do fine! And I also worked nights for most of the years. Fewer bosses, fewer meetings and iI couls actually do what i wanted to do: NURSE! LOL.  Good luck! |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145 
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