[kimbacats]

I am two years out of school, just moved to a new state and could use some advice. I went straight from school to doing the intake and referral for a hospice and home health agency (in hindsight I think I may have cheated myself a bit), but after working in a hospital for 20+ years as a unit clerk/CNA, (as you can see I was an "older" student) decided that was not the place for me. Anyway, my husband and I just moved, and the job I was offered was on an acute care ward in a very small (24 bed) hospital. I was very up front with the DON and told her I didn't have any clinical experience to speak of, and she assured me that I would have a preceptor during my 90 day probationary period. Well....let's just say she and I were from different worlds. (the preceptor, not the DON) I can get along with anyone, and believe me I tried! I'm sure she meant well, but she was very....blunt and aggressive towards me. After two months, the DON sat me down and we had a lengthy discussion, mutually deciding that acute care wasn't the place for me. She was very nice and actually offered to write a letter of recommendation because she felt I worked well with the patients, just didn't have the "speed" needed for that setting. (I agree, I'm 47 and not the healthiest thing) I didn't feel comfortable with my limited skills (aside from the unpleasant preceptor), and my priority is of course my patients safety. I truly love spending time with patients, hospital work just isn't my cup of tea. Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel I am more suited for paperwork, but after this (I basically feel as if I've been fired), I am quite down on myself and wonder if I should just give it up? Sorry this is so long, but it's good to get it off my chest...

[Lance67RN]

I am terribly sorry for this happening. I can say, you are not the only person to experience this. But I am very happy you breached this subject as I have almost the same problem to a "T", but I wouldnt have known where to post it. Im nearly two years out of school as well. My first RN position, my preceptor was horrible. The thing is, I didnt know it until another nurse, I described her behavior to, said this is NOT how it should be. I was either always wrong or only partly right. Could go into tons more detail. The second nursing job, was at a small hospital. They had no actual training "program" in place as I was likely the first "hot off the press" RN that had been there since Florence Nightingale. Now, it is whats seems almost impossible for me to get a job in a hospital. I am in the St Louis area and there are plenty of opportunities I suppose. But, typically send in my application but hear nothing. I have gained so little practical knowledge in the time I spent in those hospitals. I guess I may be unemployable. I am going to now have to start looking for large AND growing urban areas who need nurses bad and are willing to take a chance. I should ask this in my own post, but if anyone has any advice please help!!!!!! All the surveys fail to include problems like ours as another reason there is a nursing shortage!!!!!!... HHHHH EEEEE LLLLL PPPP

[kimbacats]

Originally Posted by Lance67RN

I am terribly sorry for this happening. I can say, you are not the only person to experience this. But I am very happy you breached this subject as I have almost the same problem to a "T", but I wouldnt have known where to post it. Im nearly two years out of school as well. My first RN position, my preceptor was horrible. The thing is, I didnt know it until another nurse, I described her behavior to, said this is NOT how it should be. I was either always wrong or only partly right. Could go into tons more detail. The second nursing job, was at a small hospital. They had no actual training "program" in place as I was likely the first "hot off the press" RN that had been there since Florence Nightingale. Now, it is whats seems almost impossible for me to get a job in a hospital. I am in the St Louis area and there are plenty of opportunities I suppose. But, typically send in my application but hear nothing. I have gained so little practical knowledge in the time I spent in those hospitals. I guess I may be unemployable. I am going to now have to start looking for large AND growing urban areas who need nurses bad and are willing to take a chance. I should ask this in my own post, but if anyone has any advice please help!!!!!! All the surveys fail to include problems like ours as another reason there is a nursing shortage!!!!!!... HHHHH EEEEE LLLLL PPPP

Hey Lance,
Sorry to hear you've had the same trouble...it's very disheartening, isn't it? The first few days I felt like total crap, but the more I thought about it, I realized it was just the situation. I did have a wonderful job before I moved, and eventually, I hope to find another one that fits me that well. I don't know if that helps much, but hopefully someone will be able to give us some advice on this post-best wishes to you- "don't let the turkeys get you down"!

[Lance67RN]

many many thanks. it is... soo disheartening, and frustrating. thanks for the well wishes. best of luck to you as well.

[jjjoy]

The "you'll always be able to find a job" mantra of nursing generally refers to experienced acute care nurses, and too often in settings that are miserable (overworked, nitpicky, etc) and thus why they care constantly hiring new staff.

For myself, that kind of job security wasn't very appealing. Great, I can always find a job I hate! Wait a minute, I don't need a nursing degree to justify taking a job I hate for the money. And in either case, I won't last long enough for it to count for much anyway.

So even though I have a nursing license, I have to deal with the same kind of job insecurity that many others do. I really enjoy my current job (working with clinical data) but if it gets cut, I won't be able to immediately find something similar (unlike an experienced acute care nurse looking to find another acute care position who isn't picky about what unit they work on). It's worth it to me because I'd honestly be spending all of my hard-earned money on attempting to maintain my mental health if I were to work in acute care.

The fact that those without recent experience, whether new grads or not, have a hard time getting hired IS yet another dimension of the so-called nursing shortage. The best advice I can give there besides just keep at it, going in person to talk to unit managers and pleading your case, is to see if you can find a refresher program with a clinical component to show potential employers that you are serious about working as a clinical nurse.

[Lance67RN]

id like to thank you for your advice. i really wish i knew.. anything. im in a state of learned helplessness anymore.

[Miss Mab]

While the settings aren't always everyone's cup of tea, it does seem like government/federal/military/correctional employers are more willing to hire on those who 'just haven't found their niche" but are still licensed.

I'm NOT talking about the old, anyone with a pulse BS, it just seems their hiring standards and protocols are pretty strict and every application is counted, recorded and not able to sink into the etherland abyss quite like out in the private sector. More of a 'by the numbers' kind of hiring process for lack of a better term. Less subjective and open to any potential bias.

My state(CA) has such a wide variety of govt. jobs-----mental health/psych, ER in the prison system, LTC facilities evaluators, SNF w/in corrections, nursing instructor for veterans job re-training, DD health 'coach', etc........ Would assume most others so too.

I don't know why I picked just those jobs but my point is there is variety out there and you may be able to find your 'fit' within any of these varied facilities and if you really can't think of it as any other positive(though I don't know why one wouldn't) it could conceivably grant you the 'recent experience' you'll need to be able to move on. And maybe the time to figure out where you'd like that to be!

Just a random avenue and IMHO....
I think I was just shocked at how many different nursing jobs there were at the state level as it had never really even occurred to me to look. Who knew?
Good luck to you both!

[Lance67RN]

really would like to thank you for your advice. as a matter of fact i was scheduled to interview at a veterans hospital last wednesday. but the person who had said they would work for me.. called in stating her daughter was sick and couldnt work. well, working in a nursing home everyone knows how short staffed they can be. so i had to cancel and go to work instead. going to call as early as i can monday and beg to reschedule. i really do appreciate the advice given. and try to stir it in to the plan of action im developing.

[llg]

A refresher course with a clinical component might be a very good idea. Not only would it give you a chance to improve your direct patient care skills, it will put you in a clinical setting that would help you make contacts. Employers would see that you have "brushed up" your skills and would respect your efforts. They might be willing to take a chance on you knowing that you had made that extra effort.

Volunteer work might also help. You would put yourself in environments to develop some new skills and also meet people who might help you with the local job market. Doing volunteer work might also help you discover some other types of jobs besides the acute care hospital staff nurse positions.