It's been awhile, so let's catch up...
I started my "Critical Care" career at the end of March 2012. I'm on a Cardiac step down unit or IMU, (intermediate care unit). Small, 7 beds total, 2 nurses, (one Charge that takes 3, and the other nurse takes max 4).
Cardiac...vast, huge, LARGE SUBJECT. And NO, I am NOT feeling it. It's hard. The people are nice, helpful. Of course, every unit has its bad eggs. I've been fortunate to have been pelted by those eggs on each shift.
I'll make 6mos at the end of September. I'm in the process of deciding my next move. Love the small department, hate the cult of personalities: the know-it-all; the bipolar charge, and the above it all tech. Trying to find my happy place. Don't want to leave the hospital, too many years invested and it's hard to get on at another system without going through that PBDS crap. So, I'll stay where I am system wise for now. Thinking of going agency within the system: make a crap load and work only 2 days a week!
Happy
Blog Posts by CHERYL
I DID IT!!! I'm now an Orthopaedic Nurse Certified!!! ONC, Baby!!! LOLLLL!!! I took the exam Wednesday, August 3rd. Too Cool!!! I had to make a 91 to pass, and I got a 98!!! RIGHT ON!!! VERY HAPPY!!!
It was cool when I realized I had signed my name with the credentials. I had to send an email to a colleague, and I signed it RN, ONC. That was a great moment!!!
The next certification adventure begins today: Pain Management! The credentials are RN-BC. So, with my name added it'll be: Cheryl S. Bostelman RN-BC, ONC!!! I'm sooo psyched!!! All my friends & family were great, and were so happy for me Wednesday. I'm jazzed now, and want to succeed! Still not keen on the BSN, only because I don't want to write a MILLION papers! Will continue to think about it. Right now, I'm going to enjoy my ONC, and prep for the Pain management exam!!!Well, hopefully the 3rd time will be the charm: I'll have my ONC certification in 2.5wks. Think positive & study like crazy mad! LOLLL!!! (August 3rd is the target date!)
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I've been reviewing all week, and practice review questions. The next exam will be Pain management, (I hope to take that one by the end of September). I'm on Sports Injuries now, and hopefully by tomorrow night, I will be on Ortho Trauma! (the last topic!) The plan is to finish reviewing, then all next week I will just bombard myself with questions...just practice until I'm totally sick of it!!!
Taking some time off from work has helped me mentally. Been focusing on my exam & the 10yr old midget, (his birthday was Wednesday!). Went to the MD to check on my labs and everything was normal! My blood pressure was 120/70, can you believe it??? LOLLL!!! Especially, since work has been so stressful with low staffing. Oh well, I will definately take the good bill of health with open arms and definate THANKS BE TOJust sitting here working on my studies for the Pain management nurses certification exam. I hope to take the exam in December. I'll be Cheryl RN-BC (Board certified Pain Management Nurse)!!!
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Still working on my bachelors in nursing at UT Arlington. Will start classes again in January. I've been an RN now for 4yrs, 7months. Wow...LOLLL! My mom says I just love school! LOLLL I like studying for certification exams because you're actually studying a facet of nursing that you're interested in. Hopefully, I can keep it together, meaning finish the BSN program in 2012, if not sooner. Finish what I started...
I'd actually like to do something creative...writing a screenplay and, or adapting a screenplay. Some days, nursing is like any other job: it can really drag you down. Thankfully, there are days when it's totally worth it-you know that you made the right career choice. Just a simple "thank you" or a "smile" can really make a difference to a nurse. Too bad that sick patients and their
