Do you think it will change?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I posted a couple of days ago and wanted to get everyones 2cents.. I graduated a couple of years ago and did a 4 month internship in a hospital (med/surg) and then left nursing to have my 1st baby. I'm currently working in a docs office pt but really want to get back to more of an acute setting. problem is i live in central nj and altho i've applied to the hospitals around here i've gotten nothing. I also tried applying to home health and other places but most of the time all i hear is we want 1 year med/surg experience.. My question is how can you get the experience if you can't get hired and everyone wants the experience? arghhh its so frustrating.. is this happening all over the country or just here in nj? I had a friend who who just graduated started a tele job back in july i was hoping she would be able to pull me into where she works but she just quit after feeling she didn't get the training she should so herein lies another problem. I feel like I'm being punished for leaving so taking time away from the field awhile to have a baby.. So again are other people experiencing this? and do you all think this is something that is going to get better or worse with the economy the way it is? thanks for your input. :banghead:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Around here there are certain times of the year like July when many of the hospitals do their new grad orientation programs in specalities. If there is something like that in your area maybe you could speak to a recruiter and go in with the next group of new grads.

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Specializes in OB/Neonatal, Med/Surg, Instructor.

I agree with the PP, get with the nurse recruiter and ask to orient with the new grads. You also need to brush up on your nursing skills and knowledge base, nothing formal just get your books out and review. You do the prep work and show them you are ready and willing to work. In this job market a good work ethic goes a long way with employers.

A few years ago I had to precept a nurse who had been in a situation similar to yours, but she walked in the door like someone who had never gone to nursing school. She had not done anything skill-wise in years and practically had to be pushed into a patient's room. Her care and bedside manner were great, she truly cared for the patients, but it about worked me to death trying to get her back up to where she needed to be knowledge-wise and clinically. Do your homework. Good luck.:)

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Go for a refresher program at a community college near you. There are many things that have actually changed since you last worked in a hospital setting. It will be the best way for you to get the experience as well as for hospitals to meet and see how you function.

Having only four months of a preceptorship four years ago does not make you very marketable at this time, the refresher course would get you more in the swing of things.

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in ICU.

don't take this the wrong way but grow up! there is no orientation program in the world that will prepare you completely. nursing is often on the job training, learn as you go. the principle of see one, do one, teach one is the reality. what you get out of the orientation program in place is directly related to what you want to get. speak up! get in there and become proactive in your experiences. be where the action is and you will learn. :smokin:

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Use all your available resources.

Break out the old books!

Go back to school on some sort of level.

Utilize forums and hiring boards on this and other sites, and get a thorough feel for other's advice.

Maximize your resources, but take MPRCRN's and GET OUT THERE!

Good luck!

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