Advice for job change

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Cardiology, Medicine.

** I moved this from the General Nursing Forum, thinking it would be more appropriate here. :)

Hi everybody.. I need some advice. I've been on a medical telemetry unit for almost 1 1/2 years. After a recent loss of a friend and some traveling, I've realized how important it is to begin doing the things in my life that I've always wanted to do (mainly, move myself to an ER to gain experience and begin traveling to third world countries to practice nursing). I'm single, with no family of my own yet. My only large bills that I carry around are my nursing loans.

I've wanted to do the ER ever since nursing school.. but have held myself back thinking that being on a medical floor would get me the experience I need. I think 1 1/2 years is ample at this point. The ER I'm contemplating is an inner city, level one trauma. It is not the one currently in the hospital I work at. I'm scared because it's so advanced and it's new people, new hospital... seemingly new everything.

Aside from my experience, I'm BLS certified... and taking the ACLS course in March. I'd like to hear from some people who have made career changes.. either to different hospitals or different floors. I feel like, regardless of how many times I've told people that making a move similar to mine is great, now that I'm actually considering making one MYSELF, I'm scared :icon_roll. Any response would be realllly appreciated.

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I'm going to take a guess and say that 80-90% of the nurses on this forum have changed specialties at least once in their careers. Nurses that stay in one place these days are few and far between.

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And nurses that stay in one field of nursing greatly limit their options! Try to experience as many options as you can. I've been an OR nurse for 32 years- that's all I know! Now I'm trying to leave the OR but can't find a job in any other area- I've backed myself into a corner.:o

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Maryarn,

Sorry to hear about your situation. I have just obtained my RN & will be seeking employment.

I have been interested in the OR but am now wondering if I should consider starting out in a different area to get experience & become more flexible. Then, if I'm still interested in the OR, pursue it, knowing I could return to a different area of nsg too. Based on your experience in the OR, what is your recommendation? Thanks!

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I think it might be wise for you to get some experience in other areas before you pursue a position in the OR. Even though the OR is a completely different type of nursing, it's always good to have some experience outside the OR. When you're ready to seek work in the OR, be aware that not all hospitals will be willing to train you to OR nursing(at least that's how it is in California), so you may be required to seek an internship at a hospital that is willing to train. I know the university near me (UC Davis) has a great program for this. Do you have a college or community college near you? Check and see if they have an internship that may be suited to you.

The best advice I can give you is do not put yourself in a pigeon hole!

Get as much experience as possible in different types of nursing so that you'll have something to fall back on in case you don't like a specific area. The varied experience will also make you much more marketable.:twocents:

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Maryarn,

Thank you for your advice. I just sent you a "private message."

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