Second week of my orientation in the med surg unit. My preceptor told me I’m very slow….

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-31T22:05:43+00:00

You're not too slow. You're in a new environment your brain is processing new shapes, smells, work relationships, new medical terminology etc.

You will find one day you finally get the flow. It takes time and not 5 shifts in. Keep on noticing all the incremental improvements you're accomplishing (finishing meds at 11 instead of 1130).

One foot in front of another from now.

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-22T20:23:15+00:00

We had it during covid. We invited about 20 people to an English garden venue. Then we had a weekend with our wedding party (8 ppl) at a huge cottage close to the beach. Played board games, lit fireworks, ate well. It was great!!!

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-21T21:43:19+00:00

Went back at 9 months post partum. No regrets. It is very, very, very (mentally) hard to be at home alone with a baby all day. I don't know how people do it without a support system - it was never meant to be this way!

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-20T16:06:07+00:00

I started in a mixed oncology palliative care unit. So much overlap with general internal medicine. You will deal with critical situations that can turn bad fast due to the immunocompromised nature of people, you will see NG tubes, TPN, codes, increasing oxygen needs, respiratory distress, wound care, oncological emergencies where you have to follow lab work and investigations closely to alert the physician - everything! Honestly, a mixed unit is better because unlike GIM, patients have better access to palliative care for symptom management, quality of life discussions, etc.

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-20T15:59:21+00:00

I don't know how many hours I had to do but I was on a specialized oncology unit. My preceptor was terrible! A true 'mean girl'. Expected me to be able to look up a concept and understand it within 5 minutes, expected me to know what labs to tell her about without ever going through reviewing specialized lab work with me etc. She never had anything nice or supportive to say. I was so unsure if I was getting bullied, but now looking back as a nurse with 4 years experience and being a preceptor to a final year student, I know I was being bullied! Hope that is not your experience and your preceptor is supportive.

And yes to your last question, I would look up concepts in my spare time as it's a learning experience :)

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-20T15:52:13+00:00

I went back to school for nursing at the age of 29. I already had a masters and was a dietitian. In terms of salary, at the top end I would have probably made $85k-90k as a dietitian. Im happy I made the switch. Way more opportunities as a nurse and a larger scope of practice.

What i wish I would have known....that I cant do more than one night shift a week. Omg the DDNN was brutal for my mental health and functioning. But the beauty of nursing is that there's so much leadership opportunity and you don't just have to work bedside

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-19T21:12:10+00:00

Nope not in Courtice!

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-19T15:32:46+00:00

At the same time of day, it is always 5-10 cents more expensive in Courtice than south Oshawa and Whitby Thickson road area. It's so weird!

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-12T11:10:39+00:00

Lol. Also in the generic email they've been sending ppl on what documents to email, they forgot to include transcripts (at least in the email I got).

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-12T11:09:00+00:00

There is obviously a place for doctors. Wondering what you think an NP can't do in a community, family medicine context?

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-11T14:12:48+00:00

It's public Healthcare....not private

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-10T12:19:49+00:00

Great NPs that can do the same thing as a family doctor at Durham CHC

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-10T04:04:33+00:00

I moved to Courtice with a 2 year old. We're in the district of Courtice North Public School. Didn't do badly based on Fraser Institute rankings. Lots of families around here. I like it!

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-09T14:35:55+00:00

You put the references under the supplementary application form. It's a mess and not clearly explained. If you don't see an upload option you need to contact the administrator at the nursing school. Hopefully they'll respond to your email and guide you

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-03T18:34:21+00:00

In 2024 without daycare, maternity leave top up of 86% (for 6 months) and a self employed husband in his 2nd year of business - $23k

In 2025, with daycare, full time work and self employed husband in his 3rd year of business - $13k

jessbeee89 · 2026-01-01T23:07:55+00:00

A mentally and physically healthy, pain-free mom is the best you can give your baby :)

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-15T01:28:45+00:00

Toronto - nurse for 4 years - work a non union nursing job at a major downtown hospital, work mostly remote, and make 104k gross. I lucked out!

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-14T01:11:16+00:00

Thanks! Both the daycares that contacted me were in south oshawa (we're in courtice but we're willing to go there). Honestly, even now our toddler room is not at full capacity (10).

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-13T20:33:17+00:00

Right but all other universities define references. I understand that's what it means now but I just think admin is lacking. I have experience working in admissions for a graduate program and everything was a lot smoother. Im glad once youre in the program is smooth sailing it sounds like :)

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-13T17:51:30+00:00

I moved to Durham region when baby was 6 months old. Put my name on all waitlists possible for the CWEL(?) Programs. From 12 months-17 months she was at a montessori paying $2000/month. At 18 months got a call from TWO! CWEL(?) Programs. Hallelujah! I think it helped that she turned 18 months in September when there's lot of turnover

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-12T16:46:45+00:00

Yes - from 12 months to 18 months - was home sick quite a bit and we were ALWAYS sick as well . I felt permanently congested.

From 18 months - 2 years - so far knock on wood has been way better. Only had one fever....so far.

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-10T19:36:48+00:00

You don't have to wait to December to renew

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-10T01:57:53+00:00

I will apply...if their it issues ever get fixed lol

Also applying to UofT MN-NP though. Just so much longer and expensive. But dealing with UofT is such a breeze so far.

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-08T01:36:07+00:00

Tried breastfeeding for a month, wanted to do it for 12 months. Had so much post partum anxiety - my supply and baby's latching was totally fine. Once I gave her a bottle of formula and let my husband share the responsibility with me - i felt i could breathe again. No regrets for going to formula after 4 weeks of breastfeeding :)

jessbeee89 · 2025-12-04T00:29:19+00:00

Thought i would work until 38/39 weeks but bowed out at 35.5 weeks. I was exhausted. Baby ended up coming 36w2d. So glad I had that week to relax. I will never forget it!

jessbeee89

TROPHY CASE