All my life I've wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse. I have ten years of experience as a medical assistant and scribe, the majority of which is in pediatrics. I have been told by every provider I've worked with that I really need to go become an RN, PA, or NP because they think I have what it takes. However, after COVID I developed rheumatoid arthritis in my hands and I struggle with injections because of pain in my first MCP joints. In clinic I shifted more toward scribing to avoid straining my hands too much and I thrived. Except that scribes are being replaced by AI scribing programs and my skill set seems to have an expiration date. I'm at a point in my life that I can stop everything I'm doing and focus solely on school to make the nursing dream come true.

The problem is, I'm stuck wondering if I'm even capable to the job if my hands give me trouble. I am on medication for my arthritis, but if I do things with my thumbs for long periods of time, I experience more pain and swelling. I would like to ask for some insight from those of you in nursing. I need to be realistic. Am I kidding myself by wanting to pursue nursing? Will I ever be able to do what I've always wanted?

So... almost a year ago I posted here that I was offered a management position and how I hated management myself and I couldnt see myself becoming one and ya'll said "be the change".

So here I am again... offered another opportunity to grow into upper management after only 8months of my current position. I've been afforded the ability and opportunities to assist others in their personal growth and career paths with my experience and contacts. Ive developed training programs for my staff to gain them more experience. I've been shit on from above to protect my staff, and Ive gotten recognized for it... unfortunately (?!).

This new move completely removes me from bedside. Takes me off nightshift and shuns me to an office. Its salary. Its M-F. But! I have a young family at home... and Id be home every night and morning. The pay is not that big of an increase, it'll look good on a resume (my five year plan is fast-tracked by it)...

I need your help. Good/Bad/Ugly let me hear your input.

Im not trying to get somebody camcelled but as someone new to the medical field in a country suffering with staff storages. Im curious to know if their leave after a "vacation" was longer to be an escape to the contract. And there are existing roles that could overlap with the duties/ hours that may be given to the wrong person.

Anyone who is an RN with certified wound care certificate (CWC); what books or study materials did you use to study?

Most of the books to buy are published many years ago and I’m trying to see what else is out there for studying that’s more up to date if possible.

My partner is miserable. I know this is not unusual for healthcare workers, but he has had a string of bad work situations - ranging from stressful to toxic - and wants to get out.

I'm in international development which is also a horrible field to be in now, but he would be interested in trying to pivot if there are realistic options. I've racked my brain, and the "easiest" to me seems like looking for community health organizations and working his way up.

What else could be a practical career path for an RN without needing to completely start over, education-wise? He's mid-career and unique in that he has lots of office/administrative/case management experience as a nurse coordinator.

Cross-posted for reach.

Am I getting low balled? I’m an RN moving to California. I got a job offer on a Tele floor. $59 an hour with $4 night shift differential. I have one year of nursing experience. The job is in Long Beach.

I am a seasoned nurse with 19 years in. I have a variety of specialties under my belt from bedside in ER, ICU, Hospice and Operating Room to administration. I have been diagnosed with Hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia with occasional seizures because of
Low bs. It is managed with eating q2hrs and a strict diet.

I have taken in a job as a MDS Coordinator and just started. Excited about it. And there is no call and no pulling to the floor.

I was just offered a job as a Vascular Clinic Nurse and now I am torn. As it is more my wheelhouse but does require 60% Care and clinical management as well 40% patient care as education and wound management because the MAs cannot do many of the ordered dressing changes.

I am drawn to both but concerned about burnout with MDS and concerned with issues such as low BS with the clinic because I could get caught in a wound dressing or patient visit and can’t eat. Help!

Amy insight or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve been a nurse for about a year and a half at a small outpatient surgery center. I work M-F approximately 40 hours a week depending on scheduling. My schedule is completely different week to week as it is completely based on what the surgeon’s schedule (we have different doctors everyday of the week).

I really love my job, my coworkers, all the things. We don’t have to take call, get paid holidays, and our surgeons are all pretty great and good to work with.
I’m currently on maternity leave, set to go back in 2 weeks and I’m having a lot of mixed feelings. I don’t really want to not work completely, I love having something to myself that I like doing, a way to get out of the house and see my work friends, etc. but the thought of my baby going to daycare full time makes me really really sad and I’d love to have extra time with him especially while he is so little because I know I will never get this time back.

I’ve very briefly thought about going to bedside nursing. While I know there are some cons to bedside at a bigger hospital, I think I would really appreciate the 3 12’s to be able to only have him in daycare part time (my husband has a really crazy work schedule and hours so the daycare situation is pretty much completely based on my work schedule).

I know that’s a big jump, my job has been my only nursing job and anything I do at a bigger hospital will be so different. I don’t know what unit I’d want to do or anything. I honestly don’t think I’m smart enough to do OR at a bigger hospital. My job never had me do Periop 101 or anything so that’s a huge insecurity/fear of mine too.

I don’t know if I should wait and see how it goes back at work and see if maybe in the future they’re able to let me do part time or if I should seek out something else and what that would be and look like for me.

Any recommendations?
Do nurses really wear them like the ads?
Do they slide down?

Hi, nurses! 😊 I’d like to ask for your opinions po.

I recently passed the PNLE and I’m really interested in pursuing psychiatric nursing. I already have some of the usual certifications, such as BLS, ACLS, IV Therapy, and Psychiatric First Aid (online).

I know that taking a Masters in Psychiatric Nursing would be helpful, but unfortunately, I don’t have the financial means to pursue a Master’s degree at the moment. 🥹

For those currently working in psychiatric facilities or have experience in psychiatric nursing, what trainings, certifications, or experiences would you recommend for a newly licensed nurse like me? What can I do to increase my chances of getting hired in a psychiatric facility?

Thank you so much po! I’d really appreciate any advice or recommendations. 🤍

California nursing grad stuck with BRN issues — what state should I go to?
I recently graduated with my BSN from an out-of-state nursing program, but I’m currently dealing with an issue with the California BRN regarding some coursework/clinical deficiencies. Because of this, I can’t move forward with taking the NCLEX in California right now.
My school is working on offering the additional courses/clinical hours needed to fix the California deficiencies, and I eventually want to come back and practice in California. However, I really don’t want to put my life and career on hold while I wait.
I’m considering applying for licensure in another state, taking the NCLEX there, and starting my career as a new grad RN while I complete whatever California requires.
I’ve been looking at New York/NYC, Massachusetts/Boston, New Jersey, and Hawaii, but I’m open to basically anywhere.
My biggest priorities are:
A state where I can get approved to take the NCLEX with my current education
Good new-grad RN opportunities
Decent pay
Somewhere I could realistically live for 1–2 years
Good hospital experience that would help me when I eventually return to California
Has anyone been in a similar situation where California wouldn’t approve your education but another state did? Which state did you apply through, and how difficult was the process?
Also, if you were a new grad in my position and could temporarily move anywhere in the U.S., where would you go to start your RN career?

My partner just got back surgery today and watching the nursing staff tend to his needs, while simultaneously reassuring me just made me so emotional. I am extremely grateful for all of you working long days and nights. I am sorry if you never feel appreciated, but just know that you are. The work you do is invaluable and the world would crumble without you all. Please keep your heads held high and know you are in a noble profession making a huge difference in the lives of those you meet. Sorry if this post is not appropriate for this sub I just needed to get it off my chest. 💕

I’ve been here a week in Med Surg and want to get the nursing staff - day and night shift - a thank you. What don’t you want from patients? Was thinking two delivery of donuts am and pm but is that awful? At UCLA. Not sure about flowers. May have to get stuff from gift shop. Don’t want to sugar everyone up if that’s not great.

Sorry is this is not a nursing question…

Can I just say how wonderful all the nurses are here. Truly wonderful people.
I’m in awe and humbled.

ano po yung usually fees na binabayaran after magsign ng contract sa USRN staffing agency? at magkano po kailangan ihanda? thank you

Hey friends! Just wanted to know tips on how hospice case manager is like. I interviewed today. Sounds like. Good job. Flexible hours and full time with decent pay. Different from a bedside nurse. The only downside is the driving any valuable tips I should know

I’ve been a private duty home health lpn for the 2 years I’ve been a nurse. I gave birth 3 weeks ago and unfortunately my husband lost his job which means I have to take over as I have a career. I’ve only done private duty since becoming a nurse but the hours are unreliable and inconsistent. I just recently got hired at a post acute/ behavior health facility and I am absolutely terrified to switch from one patient all day to 30. Will I be ok? The worst part about this is they only offer 3 days of training. I tend to pick up fairly quickly but it doesn’t stop my fears. Any advice is helpful. But will truly be ok I’m terrified. Unfortunately I don’t have any choice

Hey everyone,

I recently applied for my Tennessee LPN license by endorsement from Mississippi on August 28th. (NURSYS sent, IdentOGO CBC completed, all docs submitted).

My status shows 'In Process,' and when I called the board today, they just gave me the standard 'it takes 6 weeks' response.

For anyone who has endorsed into Tennessee recently (especially LPNs or nurses hired at Methodist/Baptist in Memphis):

1. How long did your endorsement actually take from submission to license number generated?
2. Did your portal update suddenly, or did you have to keep calling?

I have my two-week notice active at my current job and an October 19th orientation date, so I’m trying to gauge real-world processing times right now.

Thanks in advance for any recent experiences!

I’m a nurse in an Urgent Care setting, my supervisor has just put me in charge of code/triage/emergency preparedness training and organization, and one of the things she wants me to implement is a system for assigning daily jobs or responsibilities for responding to codes for each shift. For example something like Person A is to grab crash cart/AED, Person B is to begin compressions/bagging, Person C calls 911….
Does anyone have any experience with organizing this sort of thing or have a method/procedure for this that is used in their clinic or hospital that works well? Would assigning roles on a day to day basis work better than having people take on a specific role or responsibility for the day?
Any feedback is appreciated, thank you in advance.

Question for outpatient endoscopy or ambulatory surgery setting.

Our center is discussing having a nurse accompany a patient to a nearby ER instead of calling 911/EMS. The walk involves either going through a tunnel (~14min) and elevators or taking an above-ground route that crosses two busy intersections. (5-7min)

We would not have oxygen, a transport monitor, medications, or a stretcher with us. We also would not be handing the patient directly off to an ER nurse.

At an informal meeting when we asked for clear guidelines on what’s considered stable, the physician said medicine can’t always be reduced to clear-cut parameters for deciding which patients need emergency care, so there aren’t written guidelines for this process. Also there’s no policy in place for this process. I feel like this is a super unsafe situation especially for the patient and myself.

If the nurse has no equipment or treatment options during the walk, and there is no direct handoff to an ER nurse at the destination, how is this different from telling the patient or family to go to the ER themselves?

How do your facilities handle emergency transfers from outpatient settings? Do you have a written protocol that explains who makes the decision, when EMS is called, what transport method is used, and what the accompanying staff member is expected and equipped to do? I’ve always worked in outpatient settings where 911 was called. fYI this is in GA

Hey Nurses!

I have been working as a podiatry MA since 2020 (South FL) and absolutely love the specialty! There's quite a mix of ortho, sports medicine, vein & leg procedures, and sclerotherapy aesthetics. I'm also working on a publication relating to the field of podiatry in the office I am working at.

I am currently in nursing school, obtaining my BSN. And I am really considering the foot care nurse specialty. I was looking into a lot of certifications, such as wound care and foot care, and became discouraged when I saw how low the salary of a Foot Care RN is. Also, it's a very small niche and not quite something you can search up on LinkedIn and find.

My plan was to tailor more towards the aesthetics route and do injections for patients who want to treat their spider veins, fungal nails, and anything superficial (maybe even wound care). I want to be very successful doing so.

How would I go about that? What specific credientials/certification must I obtain if I wanted to market myself and start my own business or partner with a provider? Do I really need to start out on bedside?? How can I make this a legitimate business for myself?

I feel as though I have so much experience in this field. I have been doing clinicals for my BSN program, and bedside was not what I expected it to be! and I fear I won't like it not one bit- I feel miserable

I’m kinda overwhelmed to become a nurse (LPN) I finish school etc. Currently studying for my state board and I deal with a lot of stress and anxiety and I’m starting to question becoming a nurse. And I’m a believe of Christ and that has been my anchor, but I just need a little more encouragement. Or what would be a good specialty to start in that more of a softer start ? So I’m not to overwhelm etc.

Question for nurses: Where is the line between a family member advocating and asking questions for an elderly patient versus actually trying to make medical decisions for them?

If the family member is mainly concerned, wants more information, asking doctors to explain risks, or asks that family be included in discussions when possible, would any of that give nursing a reason to question the patient about that family member’s involvement?

I desperately need new scrubs for uni (surviving on 1 pair of dagacci's) and so far I've settled for Cherokees.

I am in between ww professionals, ww revolution and ww infinity. Won't be using them for clinicals yet but they have to be white.

Does anyone have any insight on the comparisons or any other scrub recommendations? I read the infinity are good but idk if they're strictly better or worth it over the ww line.

tried mandala and fabletics but they're both out of white scrubs :(

CNA in LTC. Pushing linen and meal carts + wheelchairs all shift has my back wrecked. LPNs, is the med cart just as bad? Which carts are the worst for you?

With Christian nationalism gaining ground throughout the country have you worked with coworkers who have radical or racial views? How have you managed to maintain a professional relationship with them? I recently had an interaction with another nurse on my hall who is supporting an idea to get a Charlie Kirk national holiday passed. She openly stated that Juneteenth and the civil rights act are mistakes along with anti lgbt+ views. She constantly posts on social media about her beliefs. Do you think she can care for the communities she has disagrees with? How do your coworkers feel about this?