Done With Nursing

bluemartian, BSN · Jun 17, 2012

I had kind of the same experience as you when I graduated, I was miserable after completing my clinical practicum back in 07, I really felt that I was being set up left and right. I also took the medical device/ pharma option, it worked for me for a couple of years, if you do choose this option you need to be sales oriented or have had sales experience. Its exciting , lucrative, and hard to get into.

After realizing that not all floors are predatory towards students and graduates, I attempted to get back into the clinical side back in 2009, since then Ive taken a refresher clinical practicum, BLS , ACLS, 12 lead EKG, and Phlebotomy and still today I get rejection letters, moving is not an option as I have wife ,kids rooted in my area , but my area is known to be over saturated with nurses period.

If I could share with you one word of advice, I would highly suggest you get your 6months- 1 year floor experience and if its still not what you expected , then at least you can move into a clinical support sales position easier, otherwise you'll be in this disconnected BSN -RN position without bedside experience and you will have a hard time getting a foot in the door and explaining to recruiting managers why you went into sales instead of nursing AND if for whatever reason the sales gig dries up( and it happens, unrealistic sales goals, lost clients, backorders, ) these things happen. Best of luck to you in whatever decision you take.

caliotter3 · Jun 17, 2012

The only comment I have to make is that I advise taking the NCLEX and then obtaining and maintaining a license. If the license is not specifically needed or helpful in your future endeavors, then make it inactive. You never know what the future may hold, so you don't want to bypass a possible avenue for future employment. And your viewpoint might change. Good luck.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I agree, get some experience first, especially if you plan to work as a "healthcare consultant."

ddunnrn · Jun 18, 2012

I, myself, could not work for the big pharma companies, given the ever-increasing evidence of their unethical practices, plus the fact that I'd make a lousy salesperson. Have you considered nursing education or public health? I'm afraid neither of them probably pays very well. As the others have posted, it's a good idea to keep your license current, as you never know when it might come in handy. Good luck! You might want to give correctional nursing a try. There always seem to be openings, especially in urban jails.

groovy jeff, RN · Jun 18, 2012

i love nursing! however, i've been an rn for 3 years, but just turned 57 and pounding the floor for the next few years seems daunting. i am finishing my bsn next week and have the opportunity to teach some clinicals for a highly respected university which will help me to slow down a little. i will be able to get my masters for next to nothing. for my masters i am jumping out of the nursing tract (masters level nursing programs just too boring) and going for my mph, masters in public health.

what is it about nursing that you don't like? there are so many areas of nursing that i think you could possibly find a niche somewhere. however, in order to move anywhere, you just about have to do some floor nursing for a year so you can at least speak the same language. if you are basing your decision on nursing school clinical experience, then you are making a mistake. once your out on the floor it is a big 180 from that experience.

good luck & stay groovy!

elprup, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2012

Well put bluemartian ...."otherwise you'll be in this disconnected BSN -RN position without bedside experience and you will have a hard time getting a foot in the door and explaining to recruiting managers" why you have not been able to get/hold a job since graduating. They do not understand the market crash - heck there is a nursing shortage - dont you know! Nursing sucks, and is so dysfunctional, yet, I keep trying and hoping I will start my career and find a job where I do not have to sell my soul and dignity to work.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

needless to say, i'm sorry that you find yourself in this situation. however, the beauty about my beloved career is that nursing has so many branches to choose from outside of direct patient contact, that anyone with a nursing degree ready to make a change can look into other nursing practices. having said that, make sure to keep your nursing license in good standards one never knows what the future may hold. wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors....aloha~

bluemartian, BSN · Jun 19, 2012

I wanted to elaborate to GitanoRN 's post yes there are other areas of nursing to go to but 98% requires you have 1-5 years of recent bedside exprience otherwise your window of opportunity is very small. Ive been living this for 5 years already , and I have met other nurses in my refresher program who also started in non bedside positions and have had zero success moving into other areas of nursing, (of course unless you know someone).

Revvy1337 · Jun 25, 2012

Everyone has buyer's regret bk, when I first graduated I doubted that I would become a good nurse and hated the fact that maybe I wasn't up the par. I thought maybe nursing wasn't for me. Yet, there was a reason you went into nursing to take care of people over yourself. You just need to focus and get back on the road.

brainkandy87 · Jun 27, 2012

You've come this far. If nothing else, pass the NCLEX and maintain your license. Don't ever let it expire. One thing I can say is, don't let nursing school deter you from nursing. The reality of nursing is far different from the hell known as nursing school. Give real nursing a try and if you still feel the same way, then you'll know. Not knowing, in my opinion, is worse than having tried and not enjoyed.

airborneinf82, BSN · Jun 28, 2012

Echoing the points already made, just understand that your life and experiences as a student nurse are VASTLY different from that of being an actual RN. Especially once you gain confidence and knowledge and start to become a resource for other on your floor. Work well with others and find your niche in the nursing field. Also know that every floor at every hospital is different and the beauty of this job is, especially once you have your experience, you can go just about anywhere you like. The key though is getting that first experience. Suck it up for a year and if you still think its not for you, then go elsewhere, but at least you will have that experience under your belt to open up more opportunities and in the event that the non-floor career choice you decide is not for you, you have that experience to fall back on to in order to get a job again. Don't shut the doors of opportunity yourself so early.