Any job, anywhere?

[ubcgirl]

I am applying for my first nursing job, and have several applications in all over the country. I am lucky (sort of) in that I am single with no children and no family or other commitments. While I am no spring chicken, I can certainly afford to work pretty much anywhere for a year or two while I gain experience and pay off some of my student loan. I am aware that the nursing market is tough right now - I've been reading whats going on in AHS, which is similar to whats going on in BC, and what seems like, pretty much everywhere. I have gotten a couple of potential/maybe/unofficial job offers which are more than casual, and I am wondering which road to take if given the option. Tiny city, small hospital, part time temporary (6 month) position, or, Very very small town, in a LTC facility, for FT permanent position. Its been drilled into my head that I must work med/surg for a couple of years to make myself hireable after some experience. However, the way nursing is going, I'd be nervous about moving to any city with a casual position just for a med-surg job. Unlike many of my peers, I am older, not from my current city of study, and moving back to my small hometown is not very feasible due to my parent's health status. I also wouldn't be able to work there because I am related to so many people there. So if given the above two options, which would be the smarter choice? And I do realize, I would be incredibly lucky to get offered either with our current market! Thanks for your help :)

[itsmejuli]

I would go for the full time permanent position somewhere, there's no way I'd move for a temp position or part-time.

Are you an LPN or RN?

[fleetfoxRN]

I wouldn't ever move into a city with a casual position. I would take the part time position. I was part time for almost a year and I made pretty good money, even for 48 hours of work (bi weekly). The long term care facility with FT position, is there a hospital close by? My only concern is going into long term care, you won't be able to keep up on your nursing skills. I started in community before I got into Med Surg and wow, what a shock! I felt very overwhelemed and thought "I can't do this". I was fine after 3 weeks but I'm only somewhat comfortable now, even still I have tons of questions for my staff. I'm still a novice nurse 2 years later. By the way, there's a few nurses I work with who's mother's work at the same hospital I work at, husbands work there, sisters work there.. why would you be the exception to not get hired? Mind you they don't work together, but still.

BUT... like you said, the job market is hard to get into, there is no nursing shortage that they 'speak' of. I'd take what I could get, but don't move for the casual position. Money isn't that great, not many shifts.

[ubcgirl]

I would definitely not move for a casual position - because of the unguaranteed hours, it wouldn't make any sense for me financially. It would have to be the temp part time or the FT. I am an RN. Also, the concern with my hometown is that many of my relatives are in the hospital for various reasons. My mom is actually of Aboriginal descent, and it is a very small town, so really, in some way I am related to many of the people there, and know even more of them, and would not feel comfortable being their nurse. I would assume they wouldn't want me giving them a supp and then seeing them at church the next day as well!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Most rural areas in every Province are always hiring. The places where people would rather not be. If it doesn't matter for you, look into Northern nursing for full time work.

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

About seeing people you know, it happens. If you have a close relationship, then you may have to step down as their primary. I have taken care of people I knew before, and it actually made it nicer for them. They felt like they could trust me. However doing a cath on my ex (as much fun as it would be for me!) I don't think he would like it. So, it depends on the circumstance, but remember your a professional. It wouldn't be the same way for a doctor? Why would it be for a nurse?