Latest / The Shift Podcast / 23. Growth Opportunities in Flight Nursing

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23. Growth Opportunities in Flight Nursing · The Shift Podcast

0:00
Welcome to fight my datak, a podcast that helps bridge, the
0:03
gap between healthcare workers and First Responders and
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everything in between. We are in full-fledged the first
0:13
week of summer break, and my kids are enjoying their time
0:15
off. Although they are having summer
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practices for the sports, that they're going to be playing in
0:19
high school. They've also been binge-watching
0:23
stranger things. The new season just came out.
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I have not gotten into it, but they love it.
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And they've been watching the other seasons over and over
0:31
again. And that's actually what they're
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currently doing right now, as I'm finishing up, editing, this
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podcast this week, but this week, I'm joined by one of my
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clients Amanda. She first came Me with just not
0:43
being very happy in the current position that she was working it
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as a nurse and she talks about on this episode.
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How she went from that initial conversation to putting in her
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applications for flight nursing and how she started the
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interview process and how she ultimately picked the offer in
1:03
the position and the company that she wanted to work for.
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She talks about the thoughts that she had going into that
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entire process and the thoughts that she currently carries with
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her. A as she's starting in this new
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Endeavor, so I hope you enjoy my interview with Amanda this week.
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Here we go. Hey Amanda.
1:23
Thanks for joining me today on the podcast.
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I really appreciate you being on.
1:27
Thanks for having me today, Jessa.
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So tell us a little bit about yourself, whatever you want to
1:33
share about your nursing career so far and kind of where you're
1:35
at right now. Yeah, so I started being a nurse
1:39
four and a half years ago, based in Chicago, I've always been in
1:43
the city of Chicago. I started off at the same
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hospital as I got hired on. I was first in nursing
1:50
assistant. In the medical ICU.
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Cardiac ICU floor. Gotta hide as a new nurse there.
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Stayed there throughout my whole career.
2:00
We always got like make you overflow patients.
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Of course, turn into the covid ICU and then turn into a
2:06
med-surg. I see you got a little bored
2:09
with ICU life. So decided to dip my feet into
2:11
ER life. So very opposite ends but I
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loved it ever since and realize you know, I'm a little sick of
2:20
hospital. So Oohing flight nurse right
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now, being a flight nurse. Yeah and more than pursuing like
2:27
when we first met like that was kind of what your goal was and I
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think then you can tell me if I'm wrong but it kind of seemed
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like when we first met it was like okay in the near future, I
2:37
want to do it but even on our first call I was like no, you're
2:41
ready for this like? Oh absolutely.
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Yeah I I didn't think that I was gonna be a flight nurse soon.
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I'm starting a new job next. The flight nurse job in July but
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I thought the This is honestly going to be like 8 years down
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the line. Not right now.
2:55
Yeah, so you definitely have encouraged me to take some
2:58
steps. Yes.
2:59
So tell me what your thoughts were when we first met?
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Like what was it? Kind of like prohibiting you
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from moving forward in it because I think a lot of people
3:07
feel similar to you. Where they've had all the
3:09
experience, the three to five years of either.
3:11
ER, I see you but yet they're still like this thing that's
3:13
holding them back or making them feel like they're not ready.
3:16
Yeah. Absolutely.
3:17
So many many factors for me, one factor on the Sessional end, you
3:22
know, it's always very unsure. A lot of times I find that in my
3:26
nursing program, at least flight, nursing wasn't really
3:29
spoken about a lot. I know we had one instructor,
3:32
who mentioned it and that's honestly, she's the reason why
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that was always in the back of my head but, you know, like our
3:40
program, the trajectory was always like, go to school.
3:43
Go to school, nursing school, a couple years bedside and then
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you go for your dnp or CRNA and I thought that was my
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trajectory, but I never felt, you know, great enough about
3:56
school. Like, okay, that's great.
3:57
But I wanted something to be passionate about, so that was
4:01
kind of the biggest thing where, you know, it wasn't the norm,
4:05
quote, unquote Norm for flight, nursing to be a trajectory, or
4:09
to be a goal. So, I never really looked into
4:11
it. And then, in the, ER, position,
4:16
I did a fly along with one of their hospitals, and, you know,
4:20
the nurses, Are amazing there and I think one of their, you
4:24
know, college is for the construction in the background,
4:27
but one of the advice they gave me was, you know, take your time
4:30
like your, you don't have to rush to be in Flight nursing and
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I don't think they meant it in a way where it was, you know, you
4:36
don't have enough experience but you know, I'm a very doubtful
4:40
person of myself too. So I went ahead and said, okay I
4:44
need to have more years in the ICU or in the picu, which I
4:47
don't have experience with Pete. So that slowed me down a lot.
4:51
Just have a You know, a lot of unknown or not enough people to
4:54
guide me. Yeah, on the personal level, I
4:59
can take care of a family member help, take care of a family
5:01
member, my Grandma. She's very, very dear to my
5:03
heart and a lot of times I'm very controlling with the care.
5:07
So it always made me nervous. Even going from ICU to e.r.,
5:10
like, I'm in Chicago, still, for both those hospitals, it made me
5:14
very, very nervous because, you know, how am I going to balance?
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You know, my career versus taking care of Of my grandma.
5:22
At that point, I didn't realize that you could choose both, not
5:26
just one. Yeah.
5:27
And I love that because that was our initial conversation
5:30
together, right? Absent that you can really have
5:33
what you want and still you know, personally be taking care
5:38
of some other things in your life that it's possible to have
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both of those things. Yeah.
5:42
So what is kind of the thought that got you through that?
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And that might be exactly it. I don't know, but got you
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through kind of that. Hump of.
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Yeah, you know, I can go for it right now.
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I can do it. So one of my biggest strengths
5:56
and flaws that I've learned from sessions with you, as I'm over
5:59
planner. So, you know, it's learning not
6:03
to over plan for everything. It's realizing like, it could be
6:07
okay, like even I reflect it in like it's not perfect ever since
6:12
like, our first session, we're like, okay, you can choose both
6:14
to not like it was, you know, great all the way, you know, I
6:17
have days where, you know, I have issues with my family.
6:21
Emily are like doubts in my head for the job saying, like Okay,
6:24
is it really fair for me to be out of town for that long and
6:28
leave someone I loved for so long but it is reminding myself
6:33
like, you know, hey you still need to make changes.
6:35
This is your career to, you know, you just have to let go of
6:40
that control. Let it happen.
6:41
If there's a bump along the way you care about someone so much
6:44
that you need a, you know, try to make a solution out of it.
6:48
It's not one or the other. Yeah.
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And I think we've talked about This a little bit before to just
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that, you know, as we're able to as Healthcare Providers and
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First Responders, we want to give ourselves to everybody
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else. But then as we find like as we
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can fill our own cup like sometimes it's even easier to
7:08
give in those places of responsibility.
7:11
Yeah, so I remember mentioning to you that besides, like the
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personal family life and my career life, you know, I
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personally overall like I wanted your help because I wasn't very
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happy in life. I mean I do not think that I'm a
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failure whatsoever in my career. I think I've worked very hard
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for it but Wasn't something that I was passionate about you know
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I knew I was like done with bedside and you know I was
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actually on the route to looking up schools but I wasn't happy
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with what I was doing and so actually since I've accepted
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this new job elsewhere like out of Chicago it's not only helping
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me be happier in my career it's actually helping me feel better
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about my Independence. I mean me personally like I've
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I've stayed at home through college living at home in
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college in there. Ting School everywhere.
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So, I've always been used to having family around like, and
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when I mean around, I mean, like, down the block from me, so
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I've never actually been on my own.
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So, this is not just a career growth, it's a very big personal
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growth for me to be on my own, like, three hours outside the
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city, which, you know, for most people might not be a big deal,
8:19
but for me, it's a big growth opportunity.
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Yeah. And what I love about you and
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working with you is even from day one, like even though you
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were uncomfortable with the thought that yeah, I am ready.
8:30
Let's go for it. You just like put Yourself out
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there and you did it. And you have to and, you know,
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as much as I'm very controlling of like little specific things
8:40
in life. I find that, you know, the most
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I feel uncomfortable is when I realized, that's what I have to
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do. Yeah, yeah.
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And what's interesting too, is that, you know, even from the
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first session to the second session, I was like, okay,
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Amanda come up with like the all the places that I know that you
8:57
want to apply for or that you are willing to go and between
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that session and the next You're like, I put in all my
9:05
application with the controlling part which was like the good.
9:09
Perfect. Okay, love that because it was
9:12
like you went from hesitation 20, hesitation let's just go for
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it. Let's do it.
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And I love that about you but I think what's really interesting
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too that I think we should bring up is that I noticed in a lot of
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my clients who won our want to get into flight.
9:24
The more applications they put in the more places that they're
9:29
willing to apply the better. The opportunity that gives Them.
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And what's interesting specifically also about your
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situation was that I had you number, which ones were
9:41
important to you. And then, as you were going
9:43
through the application process, as you were going to the
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interview, you are meeting the manager's meeting, the other
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people that you might be working with that kind of number
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changed. Yes.
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So, can you talk about that a little bit?
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Because I think that's really important for applicants as
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well. Yeah, absolutely.
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So for me, you know, trying to balance being closer to home
10:01
with the flight nurse Where's the main thing I was looking for
10:06
is like, 24-hour shifts, because if I was traveling back from the
10:09
city out somewhere farther, I want to make some time for that
10:13
instead of like 12 hour shifts and then driving a couple hours
10:15
back and forth. So that was one of my criteria
10:18
for my personal situation. So the two top programs I had
10:24
was, there's a hospital that was like two hours away to 24 hour
10:28
shifts a week. It's like great.
10:29
This is closed by a can make this happen.
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The other one was you are methods and it was about like an
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hour and a half drive, so even closer.
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So those were my absolute top two choices.
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The only negative part was they were per diem positions, not
10:44
full-time. So you know I was going to make
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it work with you know doing per diem flight at least put my foot
10:48
in there and then still work bedside either part-time or
10:52
full-time. The one that was my last choice
10:57
and last choice because it was just farther away the hours were
11:02
84 hours for seven days. So, Wasn't my most ideal, but
11:05
and I really honestly looked at it and was like, okay, I don't
11:08
think I'm going to apply for this because as much as I want
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to apply, you know, I don't want to just put in applications
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where it doesn't seem ideal, but, you know, part of my gut
11:16
told me, you know, just do this this position.
11:18
Like just do it three hours, maybe you're going to cap it off
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at three hours. I kept pushing myself with the
11:23
driving limit, so then I got interviews for all three.
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My first one was that, you know, my quote unquote, Last Choice
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and Like right off the bat you could tell how, you know
11:37
welcoming they are they really really wanted you to further
11:40
yourself. It wasn't like oh you don't have
11:42
enough experience or saying like oh you have experience but it is
11:45
very hard like they were very open with me.
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They help Make It Word work. I, you know, voice not my worry
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like, hey, I do take care of my family and that's the one thing
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like I was very, very honest with them, and they really,
11:57
really took that in and was very open, like will help you make
12:00
that work, will try to make this happen for you.
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So Leslie's interviewing. All of those programs.
12:07
They become my very top choice just because of the feel of how
12:10
things were going with them and how open they were with me.
12:13
And also them realizing like, you know, I'm important enough
12:16
that they want to work with me to make this job happen for me.
12:19
So, that was a very big Flippin events that I'm going to go
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farther out to do this. Yeah.
12:25
And what was your thought? Because I always work with my
12:28
clients on their thought, work before they're going into the
12:30
interview because I think like your belief in yourself is so
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important to What you're conveying in the interview.
12:35
So what was your thought during that interview?
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This was, actually, this is important, this is actually
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funny that you point this out because I do remember talking to
12:44
you about this. And I was saying like, oh, you
12:47
know, it is kind of my last choice though, out of all and
12:49
you're like, no, this is also very important.
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And I had that in the back of my head like, no, like, don't
12:55
eliminate that opportunity for yourself who you did put in that
12:57
application. If you put in that application,
13:00
don't waste your own time and also don't waste the other
13:03
person's time either. So it was also like reminded me
13:06
of, like, right off the bat, my new manager is like talking to
13:09
me and it didn't even feel like, it didn't feel like an interview
13:12
felt like a conversation with her.
13:14
It's very professional conversation, which I really
13:16
enjoyed because, you know, my biggest thing is, you know,
13:18
working in acute care. You want someone who's there for
13:23
you, and that's what I got from them, too.
13:26
Yeah, so what was your thought when you were going through that
13:28
interview about yourself, It was hard talking about myself and
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that's me. Personally, I tend to give
13:35
myself a hard time like oh what a my strength.
13:37
I don't know why you strength. I don't have any strength but it
13:41
wasn't bad. It's very reflective moment and
13:44
honestly out of all the interviews I've ever done in my
13:46
life that was the first time I actually really reflected.
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And, you know, gave the most honest answers of situations.
13:53
Yeah. Which I think is really
13:54
interesting too. Because as we were having
13:56
conversations leading up to it, your worst fear was like, how do
14:00
I bring in like purse? Only what's happening with me to
14:03
let you know that that's important to me, too.
14:05
And I said, just be you. Yeah.
14:08
Like just be transparent. Yeah.
14:10
And that was, that was one of the big differences between this
14:13
flight program and another flight program that I
14:16
interviewed for it because it was the response of.
14:19
Okay, this is my personal life, personal life, that's important
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to me. I'm concerned about this and it
14:24
was the way that the other person responded in, which made
14:27
me think this is the right place for me.
14:30
Yeah, that's great. And you Only being able to feel
14:33
that out about which one was a good fit for you to I think just
14:37
acknowledging like even though it was your third choice like
14:40
oh, you know, maybe this is where I'm supposed to be based
14:43
on like what they value and having that initial conversation
14:46
with them. Absolutely.
14:48
And I think like one other thing to bring up to is I often people
14:51
come to me and when they want help with the interview process
14:54
they think gosh how do I know all the knowledge that I need to
14:58
know what the deficits and the areas that I haven't seen or
15:02
Actin. And what I really focus on is
15:06
let's give specific examples and let the people know like what
15:09
you value and what's important to you.
15:12
And so I think like you did a really good job of that.
15:16
And can you speak on? Like how were you feeling the
15:18
interviews were going to be as opposed to how they really were?
15:23
I thought it was going to be way more intimidating in the manner
15:28
of what you are tested and, you know, I think it's very
15:35
different bedside. I feel like a lot of experiences
15:38
experiences, I've had bad side. You'll always have someone that
15:41
comes up to me like, oh, you know, what's your experience and
15:44
almost like size? You up that type of deal, you
15:47
know, I always preface things with like, hey, I don't know
15:50
everything, but this is what I know, this is what I've learned.
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I'm here. To you know, learn more, that's
15:55
why I changed jobs and I never really got that from them.
15:59
That size you up type, you know, personality, it was more.
16:04
So you know, we understand that you're not going to know
16:08
everything, but we're here for you.
16:09
We have the resources here for you, it is up to you to push
16:12
yourself to learn. Yeah, so that was a huge thing
16:16
because I think especially the changes in health care these
16:19
days a lot more newer nurses coming in.
16:22
It's very important, like, When I precept people like, hey,
16:25
you're not like reminding them and I need to remind myself to
16:27
I'm not perfect with remembering that.
16:28
Like you're not going to know everything and you're going to
16:31
feel nervous. And I remember I was telling
16:33
you, I was like randomly studying things the way to like
16:37
the visit the base, you're always going to feel nervous
16:39
about it, but that nervousness is a good thing because it shows
16:42
you care. But it's also being very honest
16:45
with yourself and your co-workers.
16:46
Because if you don't know something that's fine, the push
16:49
to know things and look for the resources.
16:51
Yeah. And what would you tell?
16:53
I guess, what advice would you give nurses?
16:56
Who were kind of in a similar position as you that came in
17:00
thinking? You know, I think this is going
17:02
to be me but maybe 8 years down the line like what would you
17:05
tell those nurses that are kind of wavering about if the skills
17:08
and the knowledge that they have right now is enough to kind of
17:10
go for it. I think if nurses are thinking I
17:16
can't do this yet because of skill wise, I think they should
17:20
honestly go for. I mean, granted I don't really
17:22
recommend a new New grad jumping into it but there's a reason why
17:25
they put in like at least three to five years.
17:28
If you meet that criteria and if you know, you want to be a
17:31
flight nurse not to not to just have a jumpsuit or a helmet
17:35
because you're really passionate about it.
17:36
You have to put your application and just try because you know
17:41
best case scenario you become a flight nurse worst case
17:43
scenario, you get an offer but you realize this is not the time
17:46
for you but you've been through that process so just go for it.
17:51
Yeah. And how did you feel about the
17:52
preparation that We did before. Was that helpful for you at all?
17:57
As far as like the three different interviews that you
17:59
had? Because I'm sure they were all
18:00
very different. Absolutely be.
18:02
I mean, nailed it on helping me. Prepare for everything in the
18:06
interview, the test part was a little difficult that was when I
18:11
visited base, but it wasn't again, they reminded me, this is
18:14
not something that's like a pass or fail.
18:16
This is just letting us know what education opportunities we
18:18
need for you, but if it helped me, absolutely feel a lot more
18:22
comfortable with answering. And just, you know, being myself
18:25
instead of just racking my brain like hey oh my gosh what am I
18:28
supposed to answer for this? Yeah and as I talk to people
18:31
they're like What's some things that I could be studying and I'm
18:34
it's like it's impossible to know everything that they could
18:36
ask you or even just to know everything.
18:39
Just as nurses we don't see all of these things.
18:42
Like for example for myself I didn't see devices.
18:44
I didn't see infants or Pediatrics or high-risk OB prior
18:48
to fly nursing. So I think it's just remembering
18:51
like the critical skills that you have are is Going to set you
18:54
up for one both what they're going to teach you in that new
18:58
hire process and as you're going along and to that you're just
19:02
going to ask questions and learn as you go and you're going to be
19:06
able to critically Think Through It.
19:07
Whatever. Absolutely.
19:08
It's always your own push to learn.
19:10
And that's the most important part whether your flight nurse
19:12
new grad or nurse. That's been a nurse for 10
19:15
years. Yeah, yeah.
19:17
So you're moving on to this new Endeavor.
19:19
You picked what you thought was your third and ended up being
19:22
your first, which is I think it's great.
19:24
You're not my only client that that happens to where I have
19:27
them kind of range out what they think is first second and third,
19:31
or however many they have and then oftentimes, it does change
19:34
just based on their interview their interactions, the people
19:37
they talk to so you're getting ready to start the new hire
19:40
process here in the next couple months.
19:43
How are you feeling about it now?
19:45
Oh my gosh, it's a rollercoaster.
19:48
So for me personally, I chose to have a full month of Appointment
19:54
just because with traveling, I had a brother's wedding to go to
19:58
and celebrate and the scariest yet the best choice of my life
20:03
to do this, because I didn't realize there were so much to
20:06
put into this. So I have part partial
20:10
certifications and further requirements, but just lining
20:13
everything up and organizing it, it does take a lot.
20:17
But you know, it's it's making me very excited though.
20:21
Just giving a getting everything all in a row.
20:23
Errol just realizing like this is actually going to happen.
20:26
This is what you signed up for it and you're not waiting at
20:29
your stew. This so it's been hectic, but a
20:32
good thing, but also reminding myself to relax a bit because I
20:35
try to do everything like one week and it's impossible.
20:39
Yeah. Well I'm excited to continue to
20:41
work with you. I think like it's also, you
20:43
know, a new feet is just stepping into this role of going
20:46
from ER ICU nurse to now flight, nursing and making you feel
20:50
really good about it. So I'm excited to continue to
20:52
work together and help you really.
20:53
In this big transition time for you.
20:55
I've stepping into it feeling confident.
20:57
And just knowing that what you already have is going to make
21:00
you successful and it. But last question for you, what
21:03
piece of advice have you got, you know, maybe from a mentor or
21:08
someone that you looked up to so far as a nurse to, like, really
21:11
get you to where you are. Now, I think one of the things
21:16
that really stuck with me. I remember a nursing school.
21:21
This was a manager in the ICU. See you in a small community
21:25
hospital and you know, I was just putting my foot out there,
21:27
putting my face out there like, hey, I'm here for clinicals.
21:30
I'm very interested in working in the ICU, as a new grad, I
21:33
heard in this was back when new grads were not hired into ice
21:37
use whatsoever. So I asked him like Hey would
21:40
you hire a new grad? And the one thing she told me
21:43
that always stuck with me was I can hire anybody because anyone
21:48
can learn a skill. Anyone can take a book and learn
21:51
the critical thinking, what I Is someone who has the heart to do
21:55
it and has the drive to do it and that has always stuck with
21:59
me because the more years I've added on to being a nurse and,
22:03
you know, I count I've been a nurse for four and a half years.
22:05
I still come. I saw this like baby nurse to
22:09
during this time and it always stuck with me because the more,
22:12
I see it, I'm like, yeah, you can learn the skills but it's
22:14
having that passion to have that drive to do this to learn and
22:19
really push yourself. So I think, you know, being a
22:22
new grad, Being anywhere you are whoever's listening you know
22:26
it's fine to be scared. Just have that passion.
22:30
Have that drive and push on? Yeah I love that.
22:33
That's a great piece of advice because I really do think that
22:35
that's what ultimately got you this job to.
22:37
Like we talked about in the interviews.
22:39
They wouldn't have brought you there.
22:41
If you didn't meet the application requirements or the
22:43
experience, but what they want to know from you is what you
22:45
value. And I 100% sure that in all of
22:49
those interviews that you had that they realize that you value
22:52
being driven. And just going for it, you know,
22:55
so I think that's really what's made you successful up until
22:58
this point. Yeah.
23:00
And that push that you gave me too, so, thank you.
23:03
Yeah, no problem. I'm happy to be able to help you
23:05
with that. Well, thanks Amanda for being on
23:07
this week. I look forward to continue to
23:09
work together and I look forward to just kind of seeing you
23:11
blossom into this. This flight nurse that you're
23:14
going to become. Yeah.
23:15
Great. Thank you so much Nessa.
23:17
All right, we'll talk to you soon.
23:19
Bye, bye. I hope you are inspired by
23:26
something you've heard on the podcast this week.
23:27
I know that I continue to be inspired and impressed by my
23:31
clients as well. And I'm just so grateful to be
23:34
able to be a part of the process for them, and helping them,
23:36
reach their goals and committing to be uncomfortable in the
23:39
process of growth and opportunity for themselves.
23:42
And if anybody is interested in getting started, go ahead and
23:45
book a consult with me and we'll get you to your goals, even the
23:48
impossible ones that you think that you can't accomplish.
23:51
So, I will talk with you guys all next week and have a A
23:54
tweaked by.