my mental health is plummeting. i was on a good run just up until my 2 year mark, felt confident as a nurse, started to enjoy what i was doing more and more, but working 3 12s nights & being in the ICU seeing some really horrendous things has left me with some trauma and dealing with some personal things, i think it is time i make a change. however, i do love the ICU aside from witnessing death & scary situations, i love my patients, i love my scope of practice as an ICU nurse and know I’m not interested in much else, so leaving the ICU is not really on the table.

i’m deciding between dropping back on my hours (almost full time but not quite), becoming an ICU float nurse and working a variable shift (6 weeks days, 6 weeks nights) or attempting to find a day shift position at another hospital (which I don’t want to do because they don’t have great reviews and not many options for pediatrics). I was in school full time on top of this but I’m thinking about doing a medical LOA. I’ve also applied for intermittent FMLA so I can have a cushion should I need to take mental health days. i don’t know what the best option is. i know i need some sort of structure and routine and night shift is leaving me too much time to be isolated and up all night thinking which is making it worse. tack on lack of sleep, i’m a mess. so beyond worried about burnout only two years into my career. i am in therapy, i am on medication, fyi.

has anyone else been in this position? what do you suggest i do?

Help!! I was applying for this fall 2024 ucf/valencia concurrent program when I realized I needed nutrition with DIET therapy HUN2202 for Valencia, which I took the normal HUN1201. Has this happened to anyone? Is it too late to apply? I’m waiting to hear if I’m eligible to take diet therapy while applying.

"We cancelled today's late morning celebration at 0958!

No love, Administration"

sigh Just. Don't even pretend, guys. We know you wouldn't even hire us if you literally didn't have to.

My manager just asked if we were doing anything for nurses week. I didn’t realize the nurses were supposed to organize something in honor of ourselves.

Like wtf??

Hello! I’m a brand new grad looking at jobs. I was curious what units are best for start in if the goal is to transfer to the ICU. The openings I’ve seen so far are -OR-which looks interesting -Med Surge -Tele -acute rehab -Spine Post Surgical

I cannot get a job and I think my previous employer is giving bad references. I don't list their contact info but I know a lot of companies contact them anyway. At my first job at a clinic, my coworker physically assaulted me after months of sexually harassing me. HR fired him only after the physical assault and because I filed a police report (turned out he had a criminal background and had done this before), but I quit because it was clear I was no longer wanted and I didn't have the backbone to deal with the retaliation.

I worked a few contracts afterwards which rebuilt my confidence and I genuinely enjoyed what I was doing. Unfortunately, funding ran out and the companies shut down or moved in totally different directions. Those types of jobs are now few to none. I took another clinic job and after a year, I found out that the medical director was doing something highly unethical and probably illegal. Management told me if I didn't take part in this I'd be fired. I left. Shortly afterwards they got sued and I only hope I left in time.

Now, I have applied to hundreds of places, I've gotten countless interviews and been offered jobs on the spot with lots of positive feedback about my experience, my resume, and interview skills, but when it comes time to written offers I have been ghosted constantly. 2 withdrew offers but did not explain why, and I see the positions still posted. My confidence is completely wrecked and I have been looking at retail jobs just to make ends meet. My only thought is that my employers may be badmouthing me and I would not be surprised based on their behavior. What can I do? I honestly think I have applied to everything in the entire area.

Be jealous!

Hi all, I'm currently half way through nursing school. I'm doing great at an 89%, still have a final to get through. I've been liking my experience so far, it's just school and I like studying. I really want to be a psych nurse, but I hear all these posts about how nursing is the worst career for your health. I'm a very open minded person, so if anything how can I learn to pivot and time manage myself so that my health won't be much of an issue? I'm deciding on psych which I know that it's more laid back, but I might choose another specialty. What are your tips for living as much stress-free as possible? I keep seeing negativity, is it really that bad? I can't fathom how someone would leave the specialty altogether and not pivot to another like insurance, they just leave? I do not get that and I hope that is not me in the future. I've always wanted to be a nurse, it's the feeling I get when I help someone that pushes me along. I know there's a certain element of not giving a f*ck about a patient, but at the same time it is my job to care for the patient. Is it just that Reddit is a hivemind for negativity and fear? Hoping to sort this all out and maybe find some peace after I graduate, maybe hopefully inspire a new grad or someone going through the situation too when I'm older. Thanks for any input

Hello all! My friend is about to graduate in August from nursing school and I would like to get her something to mark the occasion. I would like for it to be of practical use. She’s 30ish if that matters. Thanks!

As the title suggests, i am debating between enrolling for a certificate course for the practical nurse vs certified dietary manager.

They both have similar length of study: LPN is 10 month and CDM is 1 year.

Which one would you recommend based on these following factors?

1. Low stress that you dont take work home with you
2. Which one has more positive environment
3. Which one has better pay
4. Amount of job opportunities and stabilities

Lastily, i am a little bit worried about being LPN mainly bc…. Do I have to wipe someone else’s ass and will I encounter a lot of poops vomits and other body fluids?😢😂

Sometimes you have to just write it down and throw it out.

Hey all,

Not a nurse but instead an incoming ultrasound tech, however I figured that there might be more of you with better advice! I am a transgender man and I am about to begin my externship. I'm running into an issue while looking to buy scrubs, however! I have found that women's scrubs accentuate my waist too much for my preference, as well as my chest. On the flip-side, I have also found that men's scrubs fit too loose in my shoulders, and make me look less professional as I am wearing clothes that don't fit me.

Overall I am looking for scrubs that fit less tight in the waist but tighter in the shoulders, with a neckline that is narrower as to not show my binder/sports bra straps. I really don't care if they're "men's" or "women's" scrubs, I'd just like to look professional while not feeling like I'm presenting super feminine.

Thanks for your help and we love you nurses!!!

My mom was diagnosed with leukemia about a year and a half ago. She went through a stem cell transplant last August, just in time for her 73rd birthday. I was acutely aware the whole time of how things were liable to end up being; I haven't spent a decade and a half in the ER to be anything but pessimistic. Stem cell transplants are hell. But she wanted to live to be 95; her mother and grandmother both beat 100, so why not. I'm there to fight if she wants to, too.

But she was in the 95th percentile for recovery and numbers post-transplant. She blew even the doctors away, the ones who were pessimistic the whole time- I was, too, so I never blamed them, they were just honest and serious. And I made a fatal mistake. I made the fatal error that any ER Nurse should know better than.

I began to hope. Be optimistic.

A few weeks ago, mom didn't answer multiple texts. It worried me enough I called her repeatedly from the ER phone, and she finally answered, groggy. Just tired. OKay. Just tired. That's fine. That's reasonable. I can do that. I can handle that.

Then her white blood cell count dropped a bit. That is totally reasonable. That is nothing to worry excessively about. It's fine.

Then her white blood cell count dropped a lot. Precipitously.

Right now we're waiting for the confirmatory bone marrow biopsy, but I've seen this story too many times from the other side. "The median survival time post relapse is 4.7 months." And then I went into a Google Scholar search of doom for what those last months are like. Christ.

I don't know. I watch how many people make their families and themselves go through hell because they don't have the knowledge we do. I should probably count it as a blessing that whatever happens, mom won't have to go through stuff nobody should ever want to go through.

But maybe not knowing would be so much better. Blissful ignorance. I've seen it in so many family members' faces. "This is just a setback. When can she go home? I bet she can walk to the car." etc. God, that has to be so much easier.

I know I should just be thankful for the 39+ years I've gotten to spend with her. So many people don't get that long. I should be thankful that she is 100% cogent and was able to live life fully. That she beat so many odds. That she loves me so much. That we love her so much. That cursing my knowledge is selfish because it's for me, not her.

I just don't know.

Currently in a CVICU burnt TF out and looking for a change! Have an opportunity in a large city hospital through an old doc’s recommendation in the EP lab but unsure if I’m gonna like it. Do you find your work life balance is better? Happier overall?

There are 52 weeks in a year, and the two largest, female dominated professions are coincidentally both “celebrated” the same week. C’mon.

I‘m considering becoming a nurse, however hospitals and colleges require the covid vaccine. I’m not against vaccines or anything. I’m up to date on all of them except the Covid 19 vaccine. I had a bad reaction to a previous vaccine (Not the Covid Vaccine) and I’m traumatized from that experience. I’ve heard many things about the Covid vaccine giving people heart problems and other issues so I’m very skeptical especially with my most recent experience. I wouldn’t want to get it, but I’d take the risk with 2 doses of the vaccine. My question is are nurses required to get boosters every 6 months similar to the yearly flu shot?

So today kicks off nursing week and again, Google Doodle is about TEACHERS. They have ignored us and only did Ms. Nightengale back in 2014. Time to let Google know how we feel.

Hi, friends! So a couple of months ago, I started subcontracting for a friend of mine who has her own legal nurse consulting LLC. Business was steady until it suddenly wasn’t, and I know that’s the name of the game when you start your own business, but I can’t seem to get a new client/case for the life of me. I’m mainly using LinkedIn to find potential clients, but I’m struggling to get anyone to even do a Zoom call with me. It’s really hard to not get discouraged, but I feel the anxiety creeping in. I really don’t want to have to stay in bedside anymore.

To those of you who stared your own LNC business and get steady clients, what advice do you have for me? What’s something I must know? Any and all advice is really appreciated. Thank you guys!

Been listening to my own bowel sounds a lot to practice but all I can hear is my own fingers making creaking noises. How do you guys stop this?? Finger exercises?? Different position to hold the stethoscope so your fingers don’t move at all?? I currently hold it with pointer finger on one side and middle on the other. I’m only in my second term and this is the first time we need to use our stethoscopes.

So I graduate with my BSN in all of 10 days and I'm trying to find new grad programs near me (MA/RI). One big hospital near me has great benefits for a first job and the best pay of the first three hospitals I applied for. I got multiple interviews there and they all went well which is great! I am looking to start in Med Surg, full time day positions. But no one seems to be hiring new grads on days.

I completely understand if it is about seniority; the employees who have worked somewhere for years deserve to pick their schedules over a new hire, I cannot argue that. I am just very anxious about having to work nights however often when they just happen to need somebody. If this is part of new grad bedside nursing, I will just have to change up my lifestyle. I am in no way trying to complain. I do NOT do well when messing up my sleep schedule (still recovering from a chronic condition) and would hate to harm a patient let alone risk my license I busted my ass for. I really hope this doesn't come across entitled, I am genuinely asking if any other new grads have trouble finding day shifts. I find mainly nights, and I found one day shift and it rotates shifts so it isn't really day shift.

Anyone with advice, new grad or not, please help a girl out!

Hi everyone

I recently received a job offer for an outpatient surgeon’s office. The salary offer was a bit low, compared to other salaries in the area. I emailed with a salary negotiation and was told that “The nursing wages are on a grid according to your date of licensure”. Does anyone know if this means they’re not taking into account your actual experience- but just the years that you have been licensed? Has anyone faced this before?

Thanks!

I’m currently doing an apprentice job in the ICU, and I work 3p-3a. I love the nurses I work with and the shift works well for me. Unfortunately due to my husband’s schedule (he works a rotating schedule of nights 4p-2:30a) I don’t think I’ll be able to sustain it for an actual FTE when I graduate. If I want to stay in the ICU I’ll probably have to work 3a-3p if I ever want to see my husband, since I’d have to work every single day he’s off and pray the schedule works out if I tried to do 3p-3a. I’ve heard the 3a-3p shift is horrible and I don’t love the idea of getting up at 1:30am and trying to sleep in the evening…but I don’t really see another option unless I work in another department that does 7-7. My husband has about 5 years before he can get into a day shift schedule.

They insist we at least reply No; will not tolerate a non answer. It feels so manipulative and icky. Do other hospitals do this? Am I missing something?

According to Capella University, there’s a shortage of Nursing Leadership… Of course this is the executive dean of their Healthcare Initiatives, Strategic Education group saying all of this and she’s of the age where she needs to justify her 6 figure income for her “academic” role… This is also through a program that employer offers at zero out of pocket cost.

Um, I’m still trying to figure out what the 8725 layers of leadership do all day long to merit their higher pay checks and bonuses. How is there a shortage and why do I need a Masters when some on the job training is all that’s really needed?

I’m debating starting a Masters through the program but is there a point? So far, Capella and Strayer, seem like diploma mills.

Writing this on behalf of my girlfriend since she doesn’t have Reddit.

We’re moving to Dallas together in a couple months and she’s been looking for new grad jobs in the area. She’s interested in ICU positions.

She got a text from a Medical City recruiter yesterday about a spot at the Plano hospital in the CVICU for 33/hour, no contract but the program is one year long. She’s heard that Medical City is a mixed bag to put it generously. Was hoping to get the impressions of any nurses in the DFW area about this hospital and if there is anything important to keep in mind about them?

I’m finishing up my first semester of nursing school and Fundamentals of Health Is kicking my ass. All my other classes I have an 85 or better, averaging about that on all those exams. But this one class I can’t seem to get. My final exam is in a week, I’ve averaged a 77 on all exams and have a 79 in the class. Any tips for passing the final and studying for it? I bust my ass everyday for the last 4 months and it seems like nothing I do is working. Dropping out is NOT an option.

My spouse worked for Devita for about 1.5 years, then got a new gig as an OR nurse with the Transplant team at a large hospital. We are in the twin cities (MN).

We are 7 months into 8 months of training, and it's not going well at all. Chemistry wise, they expect an assertive, expert knowlege type of personality. My spouse is more the collaborative, empathetic, people person type, and does VERY poorly with negative feedback. Talking a lot of tears when folks are expecting them to speak up.

They are in a large hospital system, and their supervisor(s) are going to give positive referrals; we need to get them on a new team. I'm wondering what type of nursing would be a good fit?

Pre-op and Post-op doesn't have openings, which was the first thought.

tl:dr - “Reiki services” being marketed to cancer patients at an NHS event, by a non-clinical staff member, and business cards allowed to be given to patients to advertise said services privately for profit.

Hi all

Wanted to get some other opinions on this situation please.

So I work in an acute NHS Trust in England, and a staff member 🟢(senior nurse), is running a clinical service, and is arranging an open day for the service’s patients +their relatives (all cancer patients).

It involves various presentations/information, activities, all sounds great. But one thing has alarmed me a lot. Another 🔵staff member (who is non-clinical/admin, with no professional link to these patients), works in a different team, and practices Reiki in their spare time. They aspire to carry out these services privately, as their income source in future.

🔵This staff member has been invited to provide Reiki for these patients, at this event, by the 🟢senior nurse running the event. They have also been encouraged by the senior nurse running the event - to provide business cards, so they can advertise their services to these patients/relatives (who are the only people who aren’t NHS staff attending this event).

For anyone unaware, “Reiki” is a pseudoscience, involves channeling energies (which there is 0 empirical evidence of any existence) to heal various ailments/illness. Here is the Link to Wikipedia, which summarises it.

This means that if a patient was to take up these offers, on the premise that it has health benefits - they would visit the 🔵non-clinical staff member privately, and pay them, with this staff member receiving personal profit from this.

To make matters a bit more alarming, the 🔵staff member who practices Reiki seems to believe it is scientifically real, and they also hold various other conspiracy -laden views. E.g stringent anti-vaxxer / medicine is making people ill / big pharma keeps people unwell for profit) etc. They are vocal about these views at work (in their office), which seem to go unchallenged.

I just find it insane that an outright fake treatment will be provided to mostly elderly/very unwell patients, by someone who isn’t in any way qualified (Reiki has no qualification system, at all) under the premise that it may have health benefits. There wouldn’t be any disclaimer that it’s a pseudoscience, as the staff member providing it genuinely believes it to be 100% real.

I feel that I need to report this, and this element needs to be taken out of this event, and no private services should be offered to any patients. At the very absolute least, I think there should be clear cut disclaimers given by clinicians, to all patients in attendance - that the treatment is in no way scientifically backed, and the “energies” will not have any effect on the patient’s cancer diagnoses or ongoing, science-based care.

My only real question here is: -What would you do in this situation? If this happened at your Trust?

**I don’t feel my line management would be particularly helpful, so I’m currently leaning towards contacting a Freedom To Speak Up guardian. But if there is maybe a better suited department/channel to report this to, please let me know.

If anything I just want to find other peoples opinions on this matter.

Apologies for the long post, but I wanted to summarise all the key details here.

Thanks very much