ASN Grad May 2012. Just received first job offer while in RN-BS program. Help!

[KK16]

Hello Everyone,

I have been referring to this site for perspectives of other nurses. I have a very big decision to make and would sincerely appreciate some feedback.

I am from Long Island, NY. I graduated from an ASN program in May 2012. Passed my boards in Aug. 2012. While at home, I was finding it extremely difficult to find a job. As a new grad with no work experience and furthermore without a BSN, it was seemingly impossible to get a chance. I attributed my difficulties to solely not having a BSN.

So, I applied to a RN-BS program in upstate NY. I just started this semester. I moved away from family and friends in hopes that once I received my BSN, I'd be able to find work at home. While in the program however and through speaking with nurse managers in Long Island, I it seems that the general consensus is that even if I get my BSN, I will still have difficulties finding a job at home because of my lack of experience, especially since by graduation, I will have had my license for 3 & 1/2 years.

My concerns are the following: Do you experienced nurses out there think it's wise to start my first nursing job on a Med-Surg Oncology Unit? To complete orientation which is 3 mo long 5 days/ week, I'd have to essentially take off for a semester, and pick up again next fall. My job would start in January. After orientation, my position drops to p/t, 3 8hr night shifts/ week.

My concerns are complicated further by the following: being in a new area essentially on my own, getting my own apartment for the first time ever (I am 21.. big steps) starting a new nursing job after being out of the game for a year and a half, and currently being enrolled in a RN-BSN program all at the same time. Like I've said earlier, I am afraid that school and work may not mesh so well. It is vital that I get my bachelors to be employed in a hospital in Long Island, however experience seems to be required for essentially all nursing jobs their too, despite more specific hospital demands of both the degree and experience.

As nurses who have been new grads at some point, do you think considering all of these big changes, the job itself, and the situation overall, that it is in my best interest to take this job? Do you think about 6 mo on the job will leave me comfortable enough to jump back into the RN to BSN program essentially full time? Do you think Med-Surg Oncology will be too emotionally taxing, given my situation?

I must be honest; I have been seriously struggling with this choice. I have been torturing myself. I sincerely do not feel capable of doing school and work at the same time. Additionally, I am sickeningly homesick and do not care too much for the area. However, I fear that after waiting until graduating with the BSN should I not take this job, I will not only have difficulty finding a job at home, but I will also be so far out of the game that I won't even remember how to be a nurse.. as it is right now, I feel like I am severely lacking in knowledge. I am petrified that I will screw up and seriously injure/kill someone. This fear has been so paralyzing that I am beginning to question why in the world I choose a profession that puts me in this position. I have been considering leaving nursing all together, but I know that that would be impractical because I've spent so much money and hard work trying to get to this point. I don't know if I've lost my passion, or if this is just fear.

Please give me your opinions. This is an extremely difficult time in my life. I am paralyzed with fear and I do not want to make the wrong choice. I also fear being alone in the area, as I am 4 1/2 hrs away from family and friends. So, I don't really have someone to go home to at the end of difficult days to come. On top of this, the negativity I am reading about nurses hating their jobs has discouraged me. I'm thinking I'd almost be better off getting the school over with and then facing the challenges of a new job afterwards. But as I've said... people have been telling me that I will probably have an extremely hard time finding a job if I choose that route.

I appreciate everyone's input. Please be honest with me. Do you think I'd be crazy not to take this job, or vice versa? Have I already been out of the game too long? Is nursing really that horrible on top of it all? Be honest, please

Thank you!

Kim

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

The phrase that really sticks out in your post is that you are "paralyzed with fear" about moving away from your support system. If this is the case, you are not ready to try living independently. The transition from student to working nurse can be intensely stressful for many people - the cumulative effect of this stress PLUS living alone for the first time PLUS finishing your BSN is likely to be overwhelming.

I would advise you to go ahead and finish your BSN & continue to look for a job within commuting distance. At the same time, make a deliberate effort to become more independent in your daily life. Maybe doing more things by yourself, even if it is just going to a movie or having a meal in a restaurant & managing all of your own financial decisions. By the time you graduate, you should at least be feeling more independent. If you do have to re-locate, it would be less stressful.