Difficult Decision Re: Stagnant Job.

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

I'm in an RN to BSN program (only two semesters left) with the intention of going to graduate school to become a nurse practitioner.
Everyone knows you get skills in a hospital. In fact, people act like it is some kind of defect to work in a nursing home. I'm fairly comfortable but feel very unchallenged at my job. But it fits in well with my school schedule right now.
What would you do in my shoes?
Either way, I'm afraid I'm screwed.

Why do you think you'll have an advantage by working in a hospital? The skills you'll need as a NP don't come from working in a hospital. I wouldn't see it as being screwed.

Jo Dirt · Jul 23, 2008

Why do you think you'll have an advantage by working in a hospital? The skills you'll need as a NP don't come from working in a hospital. I wouldn't see it as being screwed.

That's just not what I've read. I would like to think that, though.

oneLoneNurse · Jul 23, 2008

That's just not what I've read. I would like to think that, though.

You might gain skills in a hospital. But, you would be taking a risk. How important is school and family to you?

Seems like you should not want to add more pressure.

BUT, only you know what you want and what you can juggle.

miko014 · Jul 23, 2008

I think working in a hospital will increase your stress level, but if you want to broaden your experience, you should be able to do it. Most hospital schedules are extremely flexible, and you can tell them what you need going in, and make sure you get on a unit where they will work around your school schedule. The problem is going to be orientation - that would be a ton of added stress! I don't think the schedule would be a problem, but I don't know if it would be worth the emotional risks. It would be a great way to get some new skills under your belt....do you have the summer off school? If you do, you could be most if not all the way done with orientation before your classes start again......

BradleyRN · Jul 23, 2008

The NP's that i know say that they never perform any nursing "skills". It is mostly ordering tests, diagnosing, and prescribing treatments. You may indeed learn a lot in a hospital besides skills, but i recently asked a PA here what would be the best job to prepare you for Adult NP, and he said office nurse (thanks to core0). It makes sense to me. Nonetheless, i worked for years in a nursing home, and a hospital definitely was a large jump up in terms of learning. If you have room for the change in your life, then go for it, but like i said, i know a few NP's and they never use the clinical skills of an RN. Good luck!

dekatn · Jul 23, 2008

I too worked in a NH for many yrs., then switched and went to a hospital. I love working in the hospital, but you would be surprised at the times you will use the same skills you learned in the NH. A large number of our pt are geriatric and some of the same skills have come in really handy. Since you are in school, personally, I would take the less stressful route for now.

yeSICU · Jul 23, 2008

I think it depends on what type of nursing home you are in. Some of them are very challenging, especially if you are in a skilled care type facility. We send our trauma ICU pts. out to these type of places on vents and with serious wound care. If you work with the geriatric population and you are pursuing a geriatric specialty you are def in the right place. I think it boils down to what kind of NP you want to be. If you want to work acute care, then you maybe at a disadvantage. I would seek out opportunities that will prepare you for the type of NP you ultimately want to be.

sclpn · Jul 23, 2008

I know how you feel. I work in a nursing home that is very selective about the type of patients they accept. I don't feel as a new nurse I got the oppurinities to learn like I would have recieved in a hospital. I decided to stay there b/c I have been in school to get my RN and they worked with my school schedule. I wasn't sure I could handle the stress of school and a new job and family.

I also want to say that I'm "new" to this site and I love it!! I have been reading posts for a few weeks now and decided I had to join.

:prdnrs:

Jo Dirt · Jul 23, 2008

I just know that everytime I would go to a hospital to inquire about a job they always acted like it was a big disappointment I spent most of my time in a NH.

miko014 · Jul 23, 2008

I just know that everytime I would go to a hospital to inquire about a job they always acted like it was a big disappointment I spent most of my time in a NH.

Of course they did! They have their best interests at heart, not yours! I'm sure they would have loved to have had you as a new grad! I'm sure the NH feels the same way about nurses working in hospitals - they want them at the NH!

That being said, sometimes it is in the employers best interest to give you the flexible schedule that you need in order to keep you where you are - NH or hospital wise. I don't think you'd have too many scheduling problems either way, but like I said new job = new stress!

Jo Dirt · Jul 23, 2008

I don't know, they kept telling me, "oh, so you're basically a new grad."

Well, excuse me. Most of the patients in a hospital are old, aren't they?

This woman told me to go take an RN refresher course. I think that it is always good to learn more but I was insulted at that.