Can't work til February.... what to do?

VIRGO NURSE · Nov 30, 2005

Hi

How about agency nursing. Do per diem, wound care, pic lines?

You can work when you want and then in Feb start your new position.

You can sign up at a nursing home for per diem hours and the rates are great! Again they call you and if you can work great.

Good luck!

KatieBell · Nov 30, 2005

As a new grad, I think Agency might be a little overwhelming to walk onto a unit and be expected to function immediately 100%...

There is only one way to get good at this stuff and thats to do it, alot, so if you want Peds, then its a good place to be.

As far as PALS, ENPC- you may want to take them in the sequence that it is planned in orientation.

As far as what to do? Rest, read some good books, run in the park.

If you are burning to do some "nursing" that will prep yu for work with peds- may I suggest volunteering at a local school for kids with developmental disabilities. When I worked Peds ED ALOT of the kids were special needs children- spina bifida, vp shunts, developmental delays, and all sorts of special syndromes. It's a lot to absorb. I used to volunteer in the swim program where I helped the kids essentially float in a warm pool. I met a lot of parents and learned a lot fromthe school staff. It helped me get more comfortable with these different disabilities.

Congratulations on your job offer!!!

TexasPediRN · Nov 30, 2005

The job offer sounds wonderful- congrats!

I agree with the above poster, work per diem for a nursing home. Most agencys wont hire new grads, or those with less then I think 10 months working as a nurse. You may not like working with adults (I hate it- love peds!) but the pay is good and it would only be for a few months!

I think if this is the job you really want, and they offered it to you, I'd take it! Its a great opportunity! you could always ask them if they have any PRN positions while you wait to start this new job.

A 6 month orientation is wonderful, and by your post sounds like a good hospital and one that you would really enjoy working at. Go for it!

Best of luck!

-Meghan :nurse:

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2005

It's also OK to ask them if there is anything you can do within their hospital system. Explain that you really want the job, but are unsure you can financially afford to wait that long. They may be able to let you work in some type of temporary nursing assistant or clerical position. It won't pay as much as an RN job, but it would bring in a little money.

Another question to ask the Nursing Recruiter (and NOT the people in the ED) is whether other positions in the hospital would require that long of a wait. For example, you might be able to begin a job on peds unit in January. Working on a general care peds unit for a year or two might actually be a good experience for you in that it will help you get acclimated to the world of peds before tackling the Peds ED job. While some new grads do just fine in Peds ED, many benefit from a year or two on a general peds floor. It that timing is better for you and your family, it might be worth postponing the peds ED dream for a little while and work general peds instead.

Good luck,

llg

analee23 · Nov 30, 2005

First off, thanks so much to everyone for responding so quickly!!

OK, so I just got ANOTHER call from the same hospital offering me a general Peds position that'd start at the same time. I have experience in peds (my dad's a pediatrician (in Washington state, where I grew up), I worked temporarily at a peds office in Arizona before moving, and I worked for a company in AZ that works with kids with mental and physical disabilities teaching daily living skills. So I think I may be OK going into a peds ED unit... I'm just nervous about something new and different.

I think I may go around to pediatrics offices and say I can work Per Diem... that's what I did in AZ because I knew I was moving and couldn't find a job at a hospital after passing NCLEX. What do ya think?

giada23 · Nov 30, 2005

First off, thanks so much to everyone for responding so quickly!!
OK, so I just got ANOTHER call from the same hospital offering me a general Peds position that'd start at the same time. I have experience in peds (my dad's a pediatrician (in Washington state, where I grew up), I worked temporarily at a peds office in Arizona before moving, and I worked for a company in AZ that works with kids with mental and physical disabilities teaching daily living skills. So I think I may be OK going into a peds ED unit... I'm just nervous about something new and different.
I think I may go around to pediatrics offices and say I can work Per Diem... that's what I did in AZ because I knew I was moving and couldn't find a job at a hospital after passing NCLEX. What do ya think?

I think that is a pretty good idea. If you think you should stick to things that you are familiar with until you start your job in Feb, then by all means do that. I can understand you being nervous about htis new job. You are starting your career, and this is a great time for you. Just be encouraged and know that you will adapt, and a year from now you will be thinking, " I don't even know why I was so worried cause I am a great nurse now!!!"

analee23 · Dec 8, 2005

Thanks to everyone for their responses...

UPDATE:

I spoke to the recruiter that hired me and she said she'd try and work something out. She called me the next day to tell me that she spoke to the Nurse Manager and that they were short a tech... So, I will fill in in that roll until February and I start on monday! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait to start working! Now my husband and I just need to find a second car to get me there (didn't have the money to get me one if I didn't have a job!). YES!

KatieBell · Dec 8, 2005

Excellent! doing the tech work will help you to know where things are on the unit and get to know everyone so when you start as a Nurse, it will be simpler. Congratulations on getting the job you wanted!!!!! AND, on getting the situation of the job to work for you!!!