Need advice on 5 year plan

[freckles23]

Hi everyone!

So I need a little advice when it comes to advancing in my career. I am 25 years old, have my ADN and currently taking online classes for BSN while working full time as an RN at a local community hospital. A little history is I started off working as a per diem aide at a big hospital when I was 19 and went to school and did graduate after all the prereqs and nursing classes after 4 years. Once I graduated nursing school and passed nclex I was no longer able to work at this big hospital as an aide so I went on some RN interviews but did not get any of the positions. At this time, the hospital was trying to go magnet and there were changes going on in management so me and a couple of my friends who figured we would be able to easily find a job as an RN at this hospital ended up being suprised when management said they wanted us to have a bachelors degree or be almost finished with a program. So I told them I would be willing to do bachelors but they did not seem to bite. Meanwhile I had friends who graduated a semester before me and they got a position with an ADN degree but management was okay then. They really just did not want to hire ADN anymore because they were trying to go magnet. Dont get me wrong, I definitely wanted my BSN but I figured let me get settled in my career for the first year before I start to take classes so I can focus and build my foundation in nursing and also have them pay for it as tuition reimbursement. So I ended up getting a job at a SNF (which sucked by the way) but I did learn ALOT, but felt like a robot working 5 days a week over there handling 22 patients a day. So I went job hunting again and finally landed a med-surg/tele floor that I absolutely love now.

So I am currently at the community hospital (around 350 beds) on med-surg/tele and I see all types of patients and I actually really enjoy it even though its very stressful. I am still taking BSN classes. But I am trying to think about my 5 year plan and I dont think I see myself at this community hospital for the rest of my life. It is very fast paced but I feel there is not really any growth for me here. So I have been thinking about once I finish my BSN should I apply back to the hospital that did not want me in the first place? This hospital is growing and expanding so much and I see room for growth but its kind of a resentment thing.. like why would I go work at a facility that didnt want me to begin with or offer me a position after working with them for 4 years and knowing the ins and outs of the facility? What would you do? Should I go for a different facility or try again at this growing hospital?

Thanks for listening!

[nutella, MSN, RN]

There is more to consider:

If you switch employers how will your benefits be? How will they pay you? Will take a cut or not? How is the overall climate?

I had many jobs and the main problem for me was that each time you are "new" you need to start to accrue hours again, you may not qualify for this or that for a while and so on. Having said that - I also build a huge foundation with a very diverse work experience by working in different places and positions, which ultimately benefits me now! I worked in teaching hospitals and enjoyed that very much though the work load and stress was high - I saw many interesting things...I worked in the community and now I am in a community hospital.

Depending on your local market, BSN may be the preferred degree. In my area that has been the case for years because the market is saturated and employers can afford to be somewhat "picky" unless you work in a specialty that really needs nurses.

It sounds that you feel rejected by the other place and have some conflicting emotions. If you think that the other place will give you better chances or opportunities apply and see what comes out of it.

The grass is not always greener though - once I got a position in one of the "best hospitals ever" and was really thrilled about it. Since everybody seems to want to be working for them (looks good on resume ...) they pay less others in the area (because it is a honor to work for them), no onsite parking so the commute was long, and the actual climate was horrible. I had thought people would be "nice" or at least "professional" but it was "everybody fend for themselves" and new nurses had to proof themselves worthy in the weirdest way. Somebody called me with a different offer while I was working and I left because I was not happy there. I am somebody who fits in easily and usually does not have any problems so it was a surprise.

[freckles23]

I like some of the valid points you make as in starting all over to accrue time. I never really thought about that too much. Also I Know the benefits is a lot better at the bigger hospital and they pay a little bit more. The benefits now at the community hospital I'm at now seems to be really crappy from what I hear from my co workers. I'm still under my parents medical insurance and pay for dental myself but I know our hospital has starting charging folks for things such as if they smoke or are obese, you will need to pay extra from each check which I think is absolutely crazy. I have lots to think about!

[Libby1987]

There's an old saying, don't cut off your nose to spite your face. You are only limiting yourself by holding onto a resentment over rejection that was never personal. They want BSN prepared nurses and you didn't meet their entry level criteria.

You have the perspective now of having worked there plus contacts whom you can seek out for info on the working conditions for the RNs, and something to compare it to. That's an advantage you didn't have before.

Good luck!!