clinic jobs?

[holisticallyminded]

I'm a nursing student who has worked in another health care disipline for a number of years. I am currently working at a major peds hospital. I like working with kids and would like to continue to do so.

Here's the thing: as I'm finishing up my schooling and looking at potential positions, I'm feeling kind of deflated. You see, I'm a clinic girl. I know this. This is the environment I've always liked and this is the environment that I am best suited for. There will never be an ICU job for me; the mere thought overwhelms me. And as for med/surg? Well, I could do it for awhile if it weren't for the fact that I'd be starting on the night shift.

Yes, everyone tells me that nights are just a part of nursing, blah, blah, blah. But this is a second career, I'm not young anymore, and sleep has always been a serious issue for me even without the fact that I'll have a 20 month old son when I start a new job. This is just one more reason why I am suited to a clinic.

Need I mention that I am people-oriented in a way that even those who work with me say that this is the environment they see me in as well?

So how the hell do I start off doing clinic work when most jobs want an RN with a few years of experience beforehand?

And yes, I totally understand why they want the experience........... I just don't think I'll make it a year in a hospital/night shift environment. I've already commited plenty of my life to working crazy hours (outside of nursing) and I know how I fare.

Does anyone have any advice or insight (without lecturing me about paying my dues, please- that isn't helpful)? Peds advice would helpful as well.

Anyone know how the psych world fares? I'd consider pediatric psych as well.

Thanks.

[floridaRN13]

Hi Holisticallyminded-

When I got out of nursing school in Orlando in 2003, I moved out west to a small town of less than 10,000. I, too, was told I had to pay my dues and start as a med-surg night shift nurse. I knew I would not fare well on the night shift and had no desire to try it. I considered home health, and while they said they would consider me if they had an opening, they did prefer experience. I tried the next town, approx. 30 miles away, and got on there per diem, days, and after 2 weeks on the job, I got hired full time. So, I say, don't give up on the type of work you want to do. If you are in a big city like Seattle, keep plugging and see what all is out there. While it IS good to get the hospital experience, there is not only one way to enter the practice of nursing. I wish you well!