@SconnieNurse

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I'm looking for a side gig but I'm still a new grad ICU nurse with only 5 months experience. Any advice in finding a prn gig? how long do you usually have to orient for a prn gig (I've heard some managers want you orienting full time for a few weeks)

Every hospital is going to be different with their orientation process. My first PRN job was pretty flexible... I could orient whenever I was available, and I got as many shifts as I felt I needed. I think I did maybe 10 full days. Then I actually ended up taking a full time position because I loved the hospital so much! I’m sure there will be places that will want more structured orientation though. Definitely ask questions about that when you go to any interviews!
As for finding a PRN job, I’d just start by browsing hospitals nearby to see what they have to offer. If they don’t have positions listed, try emailing their nursing recruiter; that’s what I did for mine!

what do new grads usually start at (hourly $) in madison? contemplating a job there...

Hmmm I feel like it’s around $30-32? Last time I was looking in Madison, that’s where it was at!

???What do you think about long distance relationships?

J and I started long distance. Honestly I think you can make it work if you put in effort!

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have you and jake talked marriage? do you think youll live where youre at for a while?

Yes, we definitely will get married in the next few years! I’m not sure if we’ll stay exactly where we are, but probably around this area.

Were your first few shifts in the ICU during preceptorship rough? I had two days of clinical in a super small hospitals ICU and with meds and q2 assessments between two patients I always felt behind. Or sometimes I didn't get stuff done until 30 mins after. Am I dumb?

I felt really dumb at first. I STILL have days where I feel dumb. Just make sure you ask people for help when you need it! And ask questions about things you don't know very well. Build relationships with your coworkers now because they'll be the ones who will help you out down the road

Just wondering if you're willing to expand on why you almost got fired from your first nursing job? I start as a new grad in SICU in a month and every day I'm terrified I won't be good enough and will get fired.

I had personal stuff pop up midway through my orientation that made it almost impossible to focus.
You'll be totally fine if you just go into work and focus. Write down stuff that you're unfamiliar with. Ask questions. You'll do amazingly.

Just wondering why you said your orientee sucks. i'm on orientation right now and feel like my preceptor gets irritated with me or thinks I'm dumb. Any advice on how to be better?

Ask questions, show initiative, don't act like you know everything. A good preceptor knows that orientation is for learning, and they won't be annoyed with you for that.
What's bad with my orientee is that she's acting like she knows things that she clearly does not know. She's an "experienced nurse", but I continue to have to directly supervise her for basic tasks because she doesn't know how to do things correctly and still isn't learning.

What's your favorite brand for scrubs

I like grey's anatomy and urbane a lot, but I also have been super intrigued by figs and jaanuu. I'll probably try them soon!

Any tips for succeeding as. New grad in an ICU? The ICU in work in now as a CNA just offered me a job after graduating and I'm terrified. There's so much to know about vents, ventrics, other devices, complicated drips, ICP monitoring, sedation.... its all so overwhelming.

If it's something you want to do, go for it! You're going to have to be super dedicated, though. During my orientation, I kept a little notebook and would write down anything I had questions on so I could do some more research when I got home. It was exhausting at first, but it really helped me to learn my stuff.
I think you'll have an advantage over some new nurses because you've been around the devices, and you know how to interact with patients and their families! So it wouldn't be like stepping into an entirely unfamiliar world.

How did you get icu as a new grad? Did you precept in an icu

I worked for a long time as a CNA in a step down, and then I did my capstone clinical in an ICU. After graduation, I lucked out and found an amazing hospital that was on a hiring spree and had a great program for orienting new grads to ICU.

what advice can you give for being a good, competent nurse? I'm terrified of getting yelled at by doctors and I want to be smart and make good critical decisions but I'm struggling.

Sorry I just now saw this question! #1 thing you can do right now is know your limits. Ask coworkers for help when you need it! Your critical thinking skills will build as you get more experience. You'll also start being able to do little tasks like hanging IV fluids, etc, kind of on "auto pilot"... This is time when you'll be able to dedicate more brain power to critical thinking instead of worrying about the task. Hope this helps!

do you still work in an ICU in your new job? or like a more general med/surg floor?

I do. It's a small town hospital, though... So acuity is pretty low, and so is the census, which means I end up with med/surg patients often.

how do you deal with difficult/combative patients?

Ummmm depends on what their issue is. If they're pulling at lines, I put them in restraints. If they're trying to hurt me, I call security and/or the cops.

theres a truama fellow who always stares at me and nods/smiles when i see him in the hallway. i think hes cute. any ideas on how to talki to him? im so intimidated by the doctors.

You don't wanna date a doctor. Find someone nice and not hospital affiliated! (Seriously though.... Don't do it)

do you find that icu units have more of a team culture over other units?

I think it all depends on the unit itself. I've seen ER, OB, and med surg floors work as awesome teams.
The higher acuity of ICUs usually lends itself to pretty good teamwork though.

I just lost a lot of weight and now at 25 i'm dealing with guys for the first time ever. It feels weird when someone hits on me at the bar and I get SUPER awkward. I've never dated before now, so any advice on talking to guys? I feel like such a loser for not having dated at my age.

This is going to sound cliche, but first and foremost, just be yourself! If you meet a guy and hit it off when you're trying to "act cool", he's going to eventually figure out that wasn't your real personality.
If you're scared of talking to guys, you could always try tinder! It gives you time to be able to formulate responses to guys before ou send them, and you have the power to ignore guys you don't like. It also can help you adjust to your newfound confidence :)
(And you might even find the love of your life like I did!)

I'm a new grad and I feel like I know nothing. I teched in an icu so I know it might be an easy in, but I feel like what the nurses I work with do is so complex and out of my reach... how did you adapt to icu as a new grad nurse?

My hospital had an AMAZING new grad ICU orientation. We did like six weeks of a combined lecture/sim center/orientation on our actual unit thing, and that helped so much.
I was also super honest about what I didn't know and what I wanted to learn. That way my preceptors didn't assume I knew things, and I was also able to get a great learning experience.
I also recommend trying to find another new grad who is starting or started around the same time as you because they're great to lean on.
I promise it's not as scary as it seems! Plus if you were a tech, you're probably already comfortable with the machines in the ICU, which can be one of the hardest adjustments!

what's the worst unit/floor you've floated to and why

I think probably pediatric med/surg and that's just because I really don't like peds or med/surg.

I work as a tech in general peds and HATE it. I hate dealing with ostomies and changing diapers. I hate the parents. When i float to picu i tolerate it more but im worried bc im in nursing school. Please tell me this isnt a sign i should not become a nurse

As a nurse, you'd probably still have to deal with ostomies and depends/diapers. And you're always going to have to deal with difficult people, whether they're parents of patients or patients themselves. So if those aspects are all hugely annoying for you, I can't imagine you really enjoying being a nurse.
Sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear... but better to hear it now, right?

how much more money do nurse practitioners really make? I feel like the number gets inflated...

I think it's pretty variable. Different locations pay better than others, and different specialties will also pay better.

Why did you get a prn job? I hope you like it! If a full time position opens up would u take it?

I mostly want to make some extra money. With working just three days a week at my full time job, I have enough time to pick up some extra shifts. PRN jobs pay a way higher hourly rate as well.
I already really like the hospital, but I don't think I would take a full time job if it opened up. This new hospital is ~20-30 minutes away, and my full time job is right in town. But we'll see! :)

What do you use for a work bag? I need a cute tote or something to carry my stuff, but don't want anything that looks too cheap or ugly. You have good taste so I figured I'd ask :)

I actually just throw my normal purse and my lunch bag into a larger (it's almost comically large actually) bag that I got from Victoria's Secret for spending a certain amount of money there. It's got a small pocket inside where I keep a few ibuprofen and some k cups. I utilize my work locker for everything else so I don't have to carry it back and forth.
This bag from target is pretty similar to what I use: http://m.target.com/p/women-s-large-canvas-beach-tote/-/A-50337188
I think this one is pretty cute as well: https://marleylilly.com/product/monogrammed-campus-stripe-boat-tote/
And if none of those work for you, I would look on etsy. I can usually find anything I want on there!

what are some of your favorite way to workout or just stay active in general? :)

I like golfing a LOT. If you walk the course, you can get in a decent amount of activity. I also like hiking. My hospital has a room with some cardio equipment in it, and I like to go for a little jog before my shift. Since I started nights I've had a way harder time working out, so I'm hoping I can get into a better gym habit soon

When you worked in MN, how many hours a week did you usually work? I have a feeling the interview I have next week is with the same hospital you were at, and the salary seems too good to be true, so I'm wondering if the hours are under 36/ a week?

Hey! I worked a .75 FTE, which was two twelve hour shifts one week and then then three the next. The pay was pretty good, but I'm actually making the same amount at a smaller hospital now... and I don't have the inflated cost of living that I had up there. If it's the same hospital, I would 100% recommend taking the job though... I learned SO MUCH there, and I wouldn't trade that for anything

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