Feeling Stuck!!!!

westieluv · Sep 5, 2012

IMHO, it sounds like maybe you're being too selective. Just because you accept a position on nights on a tele unit does not mean you will always work nights, it's probably just all that they have available right now on that unit. If I had to choose between staying on a shift that I already work for the time being but getting to work on the type of unit that I want to work on or staying in a position that is not only the shift that I don't want but also the type of unit that I don't want, I would jump on the tele position. Get established on that unit and then when a day shift position opens up there, bid on it. You never know, someone could quit abruptly due to being unhappy, getting a different position on a unit where they would rather work, or even something bad like sustaining an injury that renders them unable to continue in their position on that unit. The main thing is to get your foot in the door on the unit where you want to work, then worry about the shift later unless there's something you didn't mention in your post that absolutely forbids you from working nights anymore. Almost every nurse out there had to start out on nights, and some of us have done it for years (although in my case I prefer it).

Good luck!

FLmed · Sep 5, 2012

I feel ya. It stinks when you feel like you are stuck. I'm with the last poster in that perhaps you should take the night shift tele position. It gets you closer to where you want to go. It gives you more experience and skill sets to put on your resume. Maybe talk to your nurse manager about wanting to be professionally developed for the ICU and how important it is for you. Good luck. :-)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 5, 2012

I have over 4 years of experience, 2 as an LPN and 2.5 yrs as an RN but feel stuck in regards to my clinical background. I have worked Skilled care, Med-Surg, Sub-acute care, and Rehab. I've been trying for the past year to secure a position in Telemetry or ICU. I am ACLS certified as well. But everytime I apply for a Tele or ICU position I am always steered towards Med-Surg. I don't want to work Med-Surg...been there done that and it wasn't for me. The one time I was offered a tele position it was for nights and I turned it down because I already work nights and I am trying desparately to get off that shift. I feel like I am being type casted for nights. I know what I want but not getting it. I want day shift and I want tele or ICU. I did my time. Ready to just throw in the towel, leave bedside care, and explore other options. I'm at the point of saying that I am done...tired in the Chi!!! If I can't get what I want then fudge it. Nursing has become a job and not a career in my eyes.

It looks as though you've had four jobs in your four years of experience -- something that would scream "Job hopper!" to me. No one is going to want to train someone for six months for ICU when their history shows they average about a year on the job. In addition, you want to be hired on for day shift. Very unlikely. In every position I've ever held, folks were hired for either night shift or for rotating shifts, and day shifts come with seniority. If you really want tele, take the night shift tele job and stick it out until you're senior enough to go to days. Your wants are very unrealistic.