I remember people asking me in nursing school what kind of nurse I wanted to be. I didn't know but I knew I didn't want to be a Telemetry nurse. Yuck! Scary! They were next to ICU and I didn't think I was cut out for critical care. I had worked on Med/Tele as a CNA and wow those monitors were loud. I didn't like the heart. Anatomy, plumbing, electricity, way to complex for me to get. All of those rhythms. Knowing that a rhythm was sometimes just someones interpretation and even the experts could disagree? And what the hell is Wenckebach?
All I could think about driving to my Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) test last month was "I didn't even want to be a Tele nurse" (said in a Dante tone). Why do I have to take this test? Well, I think to prove to myself that I belong here.
I spent five years on a the Med/Tele unit at the first hospital I ever worked at. I grew up in that hospital. My first adult job, my first step in my career. Then I moved on (different hospital, same company). I took a different role there, but still using my bedside nursing skills. Then I took a leap. A leap of faith, a leap of trust. I didn't know how it would all play out but it was very clear to me that I belonged on the Telemetry unit at Longmont United Hospital.
Two years ago I had never even heard of the PCCN exam and certification. When I got hired on full time it became one of my core goals to accomplish while working on this "step down" unit. Once I started looking at the material, I realized I was in WAY over my head.
I signed up for the test in March to get myself to start studying since there was a deadline. Those several months did not lend themselves to studying. There was tons of distractors and hardly any time to study. Lucky I enrolled in a review course that helped me break down the topics into sections. I reviewed the lectures, looked up what I didn't know and couldn't remember. I rescheduled my test once (more for childcare problems than anything) but walking into that test I was not what you would call confident in my preparation. The only thing that was comforting to me was the fact that pass or fail it was not a win loose situation. Worst case scenario I was out about $200. If I failed I wasn't going to fired, put into disciplinary action, or even be laughed at really. If I failed I would just know what I needed to study and try again another time.
Well, I didn't fail. I passed by the skin of my teeth, but I passed. It was truly by the grace of God. There was no other explanation. I think it was his way of showing me and proving to me that I am on the right path. I am doing right by my family, I am doing the work I need to be doing on the shift I need to be doing it. This job is not grand. It is not my life's passion at this point. It does not make me excited to come running into work. I am fortunate that I get paid well for a job that has serious good days and allows me to feel like my work matters. I have a nice schedule that allows me to feel like I am a part time stay at home mom.
Last night was the staff meeting where I was honored for passing my exam. The Chief Nursing Officer attended our meeting to personally congratulate me and give me some cool swag. I felt very honored to be in this place at this time. It may be a small thing but I also get my name engraved on a plaque that hangs in our hallway that recognizes all who are certified. It's kind of funny how things work out sometimes, but I guess I was meant to be a Tele nurse after all.
All I could think about driving to my Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) test last month was "I didn't even want to be a Tele nurse" (said in a Dante tone). Why do I have to take this test? Well, I think to prove to myself that I belong here.
I spent five years on a the Med/Tele unit at the first hospital I ever worked at. I grew up in that hospital. My first adult job, my first step in my career. Then I moved on (different hospital, same company). I took a different role there, but still using my bedside nursing skills. Then I took a leap. A leap of faith, a leap of trust. I didn't know how it would all play out but it was very clear to me that I belonged on the Telemetry unit at Longmont United Hospital.
Two years ago I had never even heard of the PCCN exam and certification. When I got hired on full time it became one of my core goals to accomplish while working on this "step down" unit. Once I started looking at the material, I realized I was in WAY over my head.
I signed up for the test in March to get myself to start studying since there was a deadline. Those several months did not lend themselves to studying. There was tons of distractors and hardly any time to study. Lucky I enrolled in a review course that helped me break down the topics into sections. I reviewed the lectures, looked up what I didn't know and couldn't remember. I rescheduled my test once (more for childcare problems than anything) but walking into that test I was not what you would call confident in my preparation. The only thing that was comforting to me was the fact that pass or fail it was not a win loose situation. Worst case scenario I was out about $200. If I failed I wasn't going to fired, put into disciplinary action, or even be laughed at really. If I failed I would just know what I needed to study and try again another time.
Well, I didn't fail. I passed by the skin of my teeth, but I passed. It was truly by the grace of God. There was no other explanation. I think it was his way of showing me and proving to me that I am on the right path. I am doing right by my family, I am doing the work I need to be doing on the shift I need to be doing it. This job is not grand. It is not my life's passion at this point. It does not make me excited to come running into work. I am fortunate that I get paid well for a job that has serious good days and allows me to feel like my work matters. I have a nice schedule that allows me to feel like I am a part time stay at home mom.
Last night was the staff meeting where I was honored for passing my exam. The Chief Nursing Officer attended our meeting to personally congratulate me and give me some cool swag. I felt very honored to be in this place at this time. It may be a small thing but I also get my name engraved on a plaque that hangs in our hallway that recognizes all who are certified. It's kind of funny how things work out sometimes, but I guess I was meant to be a Tele nurse after all.
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