Did I ruin my chances?

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Mar 24

I'm curious - how did the corrections management make you feel your RN license was in jeopardy? Was this because of actions you took as an RN there?

If this a smaller town or city with only 1 hospital, people at the hospital may have heard negative things about you from the corrections people. That's just a possibility.

You should try networking and being active in local organizations that would allow you to meet people from the hospital. You could also look into volunteering there. A referral from an employee generally carries a lot of weight.

There are other RN jobs you could look into as well: school nursing, home nursing, rehab facilities, and travel nursing.

Good luck

Jenny7, BSN, RN · Mar 25

The supervisor for most of my time there was a nurse, then in the last month she left and was replaced with a person with zero medical experience. Among other things he tried to push policies to withhold medical care from transgender inmates, change how we gave any injections including insulin, TB skin test, etc., and tried to cover up events we were mandated to report.

I had a good report with all but one of the night nurses who has been around since the ice age so that is a possibility. She was known for sabotaging people at work so I wouldn't be surprised if that carried over outside of work.

I spoke to the regional hiring manager of the hospital who said I had good experience and would pass my information to the local nurse manager. Hopefully that helps!

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 12

It's super cool that you had the chance to work in corrections and in community health! 2 years of experience is extensive, and it's great that you recognize the safety issues with your former job in corrections, which is why you are deciding to try something new. Have you tried attending any job fairs at hospitals, or applying through LinkedIn? I find that I have had quite a bit of luck through LinkedIn, as you can even message or connect with the recruiters/HR personally. It's good networking! Stay positive, I find it takes a bit longer for hospitals to get back to candidates sometimes.

Peachpit · May 27

Though hospitals scream they need nurses they are notoriously slow to respond to applicants..part of that is the ebb/flow of when new grads hit the market. Hospitals can bring them on for a lot less than an experienced nurse.

You may have to broaded your area - if you are only looking at local hospitals you may want to consider something a little further out - if for nothing else to get your feet into the hospital setting as that would definitely make you more marketable to other hospitals.

Understand completely not liking the clinic work - I had a job very similar to that - absolutely hated it.

Good luck

Jenny7, BSN, RN · Jun 17

TL;Dr - Left the clinic, starting (hopefully) dream job

Thank you all for the advise! I ended up being offered a few positions at the hospital in town but they offered even less pay than the clinic and told me there was usually a 6:1 patient ratio (which you know if they say that during an interview that is best case). No thank you! I wanted to learn and experience more but could not reason having so much more stress at work and maybe be able to afford my mortgage.

I applied for an OR residency - which was my interest in nursing school. I told the recruiter about my planned 2.5 week honeymoon that would take place during the last week and a half of the residency. The recruiter confirmed I could get an exception for the PTO. The interview went OK (it was after a really bad day at work and I felt completely off) and I was told they were only hiring one person for the position. The residency is about a 2hr drive from my house and I was asked if I would move for it. I got the impression they weren't interested even though I disclosed I have relatives about 15min away that I was planning to stay with as needed throughout the residency and on call weekends. I did not think I had a shot at this whatsoever.

I was shocked when they offered me the position the week before they said interviews would be finished and for reasonable compensation. I thought they probably made a mistake and waited for them to call back saying oopsy wrong person. They never did! I know this is going to be a difficult transition and comes with all kinds of complications (the distance, the schedule, the length of training) but I'm really excited to start. I am hoping this will open up more opportunities and more closely align with my goals :)

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Jun 17

Congratulations! A couple of my nursing school peers took jobs in the OR and loved it. Best wishes to you.