RN refresher course good strategy?

[sunmaidliz]

I've been doing a lot of soul searching recently and am considering taking an RN refresher course. I graduated March 2011 and only have 12 months experience among three different jobs. After leaving my last job in April, I contemplated giving up nursing all together and admitting failure. But after working so hard to get through nursing school and not getting the success in the field I thought I would have, I had to take a hard look at myself where I was failing.

First of all, my clinical skills are not very good. On my first med-surg job, I had such a difficult job acclimatizing to the floor that I was let go after almost 3 months. The second job at an LTC I lost due to my poor skills and personality conflicts with the DON. Thinking I needed to just "find my niche" I went into customer service heavy, RN skills light blood banking and got fired after arguing back with a chairperson, who threatened to never use the company again because of me. While we all come across people who react to us in a way that makes you say "What the hell?" a smart nurse knows her environment and her job. And in blood banking, the customer is always right, not the nurse.

Obviously I need a reboot and perhaps coaching on how to navigate the profession better. I need to sharpen and strengthen my skills and the critical thinking and application of that knowledge to be a better fit on the floor. After earning my place on the floor, I would have the ability to work my way to a job I would find more fulfilling (let's face it ladies - the majority of us aren't meant to be at the bedside forever). The more confident and competent I am, the more confidence my co-workers and bosses have in me and have my back in situations like I had in the blood bank.

I think a refresher course would renew my confidence. I'm hoping a refresher course on my resume would also make it easier to get on the floor (or any position for that matter). Any opinions?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Although a refresher course will undoubtedly help you tune up your clinical skills, it is unlikely to be of much value for improving your 'people' skills - which have apparently been a problem for you. Nursing is a "team sport". No one ever resuscitates a patient by him/herself. As jobs go, it has been my experience that - the farther removed it is from the bedside, the more 'soft skills' are required. OF course there are some exceptions for those 'lone ranger' positions like chart reviewers but higher-level (higher paying) roles always require excellent people skills.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

What is the hiring situation in your geographical area like currently?

[sunmaidliz]

Im in southern california. I do have goid people skills. In fact I was told by my clinical coordinator that I am excellent at the bedside. In nursing there will always be personality conflicts, run-ins with bullies and experienced know-it-all's who jump to a judgement that are based on opinion and more often negative. I find those nurses to be the most difficult to work with. But those nurses always arevery good at their jobs if obnoxious to work with. I know that not everyone in the world will like me no matter how likeable I am. But they will more likely respect me if im good at what I do.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Oh boy. So Cal is a tough market. I think getting a job will be the hardest part and i do not know if a refresher will help. However, if you can afford it and it will give you confidence it might be worth it....

[sunmaidliz]

Your may be right in that it may not help. I do think it will increase my confidence and I do think my skills are poor and thar will help. I do want acute care experience and fully recognize I will need to spend some time other than the hospital before I can be considered. And I suppose an rn refresher course wont be advantageous in that regards. It is something to think about.

[rndavu, ADN]

I'm considering the same right now, (refresher course). I have been out of work for 3 years. I worked for 18 months after graduation, in L&D. No med/surg. I moved to another state and hadn't been able to find a job since. I am now back in the last state I worked, but it's been too long and I am not getting any calls on my applications. Not even in a job outside of acute care. I would actually love to just work in a Dr.'s office at this point. I'm considering a refresher, for skill building and also confidence building. What did you end up doing? Did you find work? It's bee almost a year since your last post. Just curious.