Becoming an Old New Grad in Jan 2015!

inchii · Feb 23, 2014

It is expensive to train a new grad, so yes, it would be very difficult to find a short term new grad job. And with the tough market right now, it would take weeks/months before you can even get a job, which will make the 6 months shorter. If I were in your shoes, I would just stay behind and get a job. It's just me though.

ajRNBSN · Feb 23, 2014

Thanks for your quick response and advice! Staying behind is not an option for me. We have a four year old son and I don't want him to be separated from either of his parents for 6 months. Again I appreciate the advice.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

In this job market you will probably not find someone to train and hire you for six months. If staying behind is not an option I would try LTC or simply not telling the truth in the interview. It isn't right to lie....however your options are limited.

I would consider staying stateside. Your son will adapt. Many service men and women are away for a year and more and their children do just fine.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

I personally would do home health, private duty, hospice, psychiatric nursing, or clinic work for the 6 months that you will remain in the US. These areas of nursing have high turnover rates and your managers would not be too shocked or offended if you resigned this summer.

Unfortunately, your volunteer work DOES NOT count as paid RN experience, which is what you will need. Good luck to you!

HHRN81 · Feb 23, 2014

I would look for something with a fast orientation time. Home health or hospice would not be good options as they require established assessment skills. My orientation to home health was 3 months. Best of luck to you!

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

Yes, you are most likely screwed if you don't stay behind. Not for-sure-screwed, but it will definitely put a big fly in the ointment.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

I would look for something with a fast orientation time. Home health or hospice would not be good options as they require established assessment skills. My orientation to home health was 3 months. Best of luck to you!

And what would you suggest as a "fast orientation time" job for a brand new grad? There is no such thing; when you apply for a job (or more likely at some point during the hiring process) you will find out how long your orientation time will be.

OP: I completely understand not wanting to separate the family, and would likely be taking your position if it were me. HOWEVER, I'd also know that I might just be giving up much chance at finding employment a year from now, when returning to the States. It's a crappy choice, but it's one you're going to have to make....your time volunteering is not considered RN experience for the purposes of a resume. IF you have the ability to volunteer in a setting where you will be able to practice clinical skills (IVs, foley insertions, PEG tubes, chest tubes, etc etc etc) then you'd likely to able to compete at the same level as the brand-new grads who will also be freshly-finished with learning these skills in school. If, however, your volunteering leaves you applying bandaids and ice packs, you aren't much competition for the most recent batch of new grads who are all coming off of clinical rotations in the last few weeks.

ajRNBSN · Feb 23, 2014

Thanks everyone! Unfortunately, staying behind is not an option for me. We were separated my last semester of nursing school and we are happier, healthier, and better as a family. And I won't lie that I am super excited about living in Singapore. It's a once in a lifetime experience that I cannot pass up.

Thanks again for the advice. I will look into some of the specialties mentioned above to see if they are willing to hire me for a short time.

Katie71275 · Feb 23, 2014

A friend of mine took 2 years off after nursing school do to having a baby and her husband was a pro football player so they were busy with that. She did find a job when she was ready and it didn't take too long. However, that isn't always the case and will depend on how saturated the job market is where you end up.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

To be honest, I agree with all the other posters who said to stay stateside because yes, you could very well be screwed if you don't. 6 months' separation is not that long, and it would help you avoid a career nightmare of becoming an old new grad.

But I see that you've already made your decision, so best of luck.

Should this move be d/t your husband being in the military, see if you are eligible to work on the base/military installation--you may not need a Singapore nursing license to work on a US military installation. If you can't work, volunteer so you have something to put on the resume; it's not considered paid RN experience but your resume will need all the help that it can get. Last, you may want to consider a nursing refresher course once you return to the states because you are going to be at a severe disadvantage against the more recent new grads.

lmrn13 · Feb 23, 2014

I mean at a recent interview I met a girl who had graduated in Dec 2012 and hadn't been able to find a job yet.... So even if you do stay there's no guarantee of finding a job regardless. It's hard for new grads to find work. This is in Miami so I can't speak for other locations but that's sort of the same situation you'll be in as far as the amount of time you'll been unemployed. As for me, I graduated last May and am only now gonna start working in mid March. I think as long as you volunteer and stay relevant that should help. Personally, during the time I was unemployed it took ACLS and PALs as well as an EKG course. I think it helped cause I just got hired on a cardiac tele floor at a great hospital through a new grad residency. Good luck with everything :)