Experienced nurses who didn't start in their field of choice

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Okay, the topic of us new grads who had a hard time finding a job and landed where we didn't want to be (if we were able to find a job at all!) has perhaps been beaten to death. But I can't help but thinking this isn't the first time that a new grad couldn't walk into any specialty they wanted.

So I'm wondering if/how those nurses who had limited options made their way to their passion. Like many of my peers I didn't want to be in LTC. But months of looking later I was grateful to have any job and am now doing what I've always done- blooming where I'm planted. I'm trying hard to cope and be fulfilled with my job and am succeeding in many ways. BUT... I still wonder what it would have been like if I'd gotten an acute care job. I still wonder if I would have liked ER in reality as much as I loved it with a burning passion in my clinical there. I miss the rush of thinking fast in a critical situation. I feel like a med surg background would be useful in my daily job now. I still feel like maybe it's worth trying, and so I apply and continue to get rejection letters. LTC isn't viewed as experience for the hospitals looking for acute care experience, and certainly looked down on as experience for ER or CCU. When I graduated all the entry level med surg jobs said 1+ yr acute and now many are saying 2-5+ years. Obviously it isn't getting better and if I still can't land an acute care job it leaves me curious. For those who were in similar positions at the beginning of your career, how did your career evolve and are you happy overall? I'm settling in most days, will it get better and will the yearning for something else go away?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Your LTC experience is teaching you a lot. Time management, organization, exposure to multiple drugs, ect. Keep blooming. I took this path and would do it in a heartbeat!! The next place I landed was a long term acute care place, then the hospital.. The LTAC is acute care for extended vents wounds ect.. They have their fair share of emergencies and tele.. See if there are any in your area. The case managent/ social worker of the building will have insight and a "little" black book of these in the area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.

Didn't start in LTC, but did start in my #2 specialty. Keep doing what you are doing and network. Look for opportunities to bridge the gap to where you want to be. Do your job well, cultivate the resources around you, and keep watching for the openings. Apply, apply, apply and don't give up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Thanks canchaser! When I started the LTAC was looking for 6+ months but they too are turning me down for 2+ yrs now. I am learning a ton, but lately I've been wondering about the long term course of my career. I see you are in the ICU now so I guess it's not impossible. I am learning a ton about time management, organization and patients taking 10+ drugs. :lol2: Now I'm learning more than I expected about management of people. But I still worry about a lack of a good broad base of clinical knowledge.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Thanks tablefor9, I think you posted while I was typing. I'll keep trying!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I started in OR that was always my dream job----not I HATED IT------but I didn't find it out til I tried it. From there Headstart-what's cuter than little kids-aaaargh I hated it. Vocational Rehab----nope......Hospital Oncology-death every shift......then I got pulled to ortho, now most of you will say ORTHO NO! all that traction. Nope maybe 3x a year. They come in healthy, we fix their hip or knee and they go home happy. Mr Code cart has dust bunnies behind it. Ortho is my home wherever.

I am so sorry that there is a dearth of jobs right now. It will get better as soon as politics calms down and the hospitals see which way the wind blows. There was a shortage not 2 years ago remember?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Skilled Nursing Facility.

i have had the same problem. i started out in LTC as an LPN while continuing on my education for my RN. I have been working at the same LTC facility for almost 3 years and recently graduated with my BSN. I am looking for something new. The LTC to me was a way to get my foot in the door, get some experience as a nurse, and also be able to continue with school. I applied to 2 jobs, both which are what I REALLY wanted to do with my career. The Cardiac Cath Lab at my local hospital would not hire me because I was not "experienced enough" even though their application said experience "preferred." The other job I applied for was a doctors office in GYN, which was my top choice. I have been interviewed and by word of mouth, I have the job. I just haven't received a call from them yet.

hopefully the right job will pop up sometime for you. keep looking, and don't give up. also don't settle for something you DON'T want just so you can get out of LTC. you are still getting experience with your assessment skills and keeping your eye open for small issues that could possibly become larger issues. i told my mentor one time I felt like I was babysitting when I was working on LTC. She said "you might feel like that, but your assessment skills are still being used because you are able to see suttle changes that other people might not see."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

How soon do you get one year experience?? Have you tried getting thru the back door?? As in a temp agency??? U could start temping at LTC facility and then work into hospitals when you wow the agency with your multiple requests.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I always thought I wanted to do L&D but took a med/surg/ortho job where I did my preceptorship when I graduated. I always thought med/surg ugh...how not interesting. The truth is though I love my job now. I look forward to going to work everyday and I don't know how many people can say that regardless of what field they are in. There are days I still wonder if I'd like L&D but on the majority of days I find myself being completely happy right where I am.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the suggestions and stories!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I graduated in 07 there were plenty of jobs, and new grads were readily accepted into ICU's and trauma ERs and, while I wanted to work in ICU, I took the first job that looked appealing - figuring I could always transfer- and landed on a surgical/ortho unit.

After almost 2 yrs there (loved my co-workers) I moved and, attempting to get into ICU, I was directed into intermediate care. Now, 1.5 yrs later, I'm finally in ICU and I'm loving it. I don't regret having taken the long route because now with just 6 weeks orientation, I feel pretty comfortable in this new, fragile pt environment. Not that I'm over-confident, just glad I'm not a new grad jumping into ICU to learn everything nursing, just to be panick-stricken at any sign of a patient's change in status for the 6-12mos it usually takes new nurses to begin to feel comfortable.

So my advice to you is to hang in there, and make the most of the learning opportunities you're getting now. Landing a med-surg or step-down (preferably) job would be a good place to start given this economy. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment