First job in research - not really what I went to school for

[jambi462]

Hi all,

So, after nearly a year looking for work (new BSN as of last year), I stumbled into a research position. They wanted an RN, and I accepted. It's a 5-year grant, and sounds like fun. I will be recruiting, making home visits and helping compile data and possibly the paper. I am very analytical, which is partly why I took the job. The other part - we all know - because of the economy/hiring freezes/no new grads/very hard to come by.

The plus sides: it pays well, as I will be making more than most new grads in our area, it's very flexible, and IT IS A JOB!

The down sides: the only skills I will be using is drawing blood, which I already knew how to do, working as a medical assistant for years, and some assessment (psychological only), interacting with, and teaching of the participants. That's it. All the stuff I learned in nursing school - lost? (I guess I should throw the driving in there, as I will be driving through the city and commuting from home a lot).

How do I keep up skills for future jobs? Is it not a good idea to start in research? Has anyone experienced this, or know of anyone having a hard time getting a job on a unit or doctor's office after this?

Any advice welcome. Oh, I should mention that it is at a university, so I could probably get some continuing education, but not sure about clinicals or shadowing. I would prefer patient contact, other than participants in a study and the doctors and nurses I will be interacting with.

Thanks!

[BBQvegan]

Wow, that sounds like a very interesting job! What are your hours like?

I just graduated in May and have been working on a very busy oncology floor for three months. I have one more week of orientation. While I love caring for the patients, I am frustrated with all the hours of charting and the declining morale that exists. Perhaps that is due to this economy (and cutbacks), and the hospital not giving a damn about the nurses' satisfaction. I work at night, and there is nothing "laid back" about it, as many nurses have said.

Perhaps in your new job, you may get to avoid the frustration we are dealing with in hospitals. I guess every job has pros and cons. You just gotta accept and appreciate what you have. I am trying to do so, myself.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i hate my current job!!! i will be leaving this position as soon as my new start date arrives. my point of this post is if you happen to like this job and you happen to be happy with expanding your career in this area, it really does not matter that you ever step foot in a hospital! who knows? you could move into creating policies, grant writing, running research facilities or programs, writing books, etc... the sky can be the limit if this becomes your passion...

in other words, do not focus on what you may be missing in the hospital unless your career goals require you to start in one. for example, my goal is to someday be a great trauma nurse then move into admin and run a trauma unit. i also want to move into policies and politics related to providing excellent care in trauma nursing as an expert in my field. thus, i had no choice but to begin at square one and work in the acute care setting before i can develop into the type of ratchetty old nurse that physicians fear, nurses respect, patients love, and politicians listen too …!

[naun]

Wow - that sounds like a dream job to me!! haha!! I'm a new grad too and do not really feel the hospital is a good fit for me at this time.

I understand your concern about losing clinical skills - I have the same concerns myself (more along the lines of not solidifying clinical skills in my case) if I end up in a non-hospital position. But my understanding is that there are skills refresher courses available i.e. for nurses who are re-entering the profession after a long hiatus?? It may also be that future jobs will train on the job for skills that may be needed. In the meantime you will be getting professional experience in your current job and I think that will still have value for future jobs. Just my thoughts.

[deliteful]

I can understand your concern. I would look into maybe doing flu shots this season, or picking up a one day shift at the hospital if possible. (kinda hard since you'd need the full new grad intern program). Probably your best bet would be doing a nursing home, hospice care, home care, or a rehab center and picking up a little bit of time in addition to this job.

I have question about your job... There are two positions very similar open at a research hospital near me. I work full time (3 twelve hr shifts) and want to pick up a part time position doing what you do on my days off. Part time are the positions... from your experience are the positions pretty flexible? Like if I want to take time off from my one job, is the research job probably going to be flexible too or more rigid in its schedule? Am I making sense? haha... I basically am looking for something that is less taxing on my body for the other two days of work. I have done research work before in the past and enjoyed it a lot. Thanks.

[RNnbakes]

WOW. she landed my dream job!!!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Congratulations! I agree with MBARN08: if you're happy doing research then no worries--there's no law saying that every nurse must do hospital time in order to be a good nurse.

Though if you do want to keep the technical skills up in case you want to go into a hospital, you could always pick up a PRN job in a med-surg setting. If the hospitals won't bite, you'd probably have no problem getting one in skilled nursing/LTC.

[hydez1986]

that would be my dream job as well!!!

[LadyK,RN]

I understand your concerns. Perhaps you can do some volunteer work at a free clinic or something that allows you to practice your clinical skills. Also if you are working for a research hospital you may want to ask around and find out if you can have the opportunity to work in an outpt clinical part time or again on a volunteer basis.

Good luck!

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

If I were you I would count your lucky stars to have such a dream job: ) Do you read all the posts from miserable nurses, they virtually all work in a hospital. I worked for a year in the hospital and I thank god everyday I am OUT! There are many, many nurses desperate to leave the hospital but can't find anything else and would kill for a job like yours.

:)

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I know you want to have patient interaction but I think that for now you have to hold your horses. You got a great job and honestly being on the floor is not all that its cracked up to be. Give it a chance you might find that you really like it alot. I also know that for a while you will feel bad because when your fellow nurses talk to you, you will feel left out because they have the "real" nursing experience, and in turn they will be jealous of you for your new job.

2nd you might get a little rusty but you don't lose your nursing skills, you learned it once you can learn it again. And if you really wanted to you can always pick up a prn home health nursing gig later down in the future.

And honestly that is what you go to nursing school for. To find a nice cushy job, you just so happened to skip a step.

[MMARN, BSN, RN]

To be honest, I think you're very lucky! Working at a hospital sucks. There are nurses who truly love it, but floor nursing is not for everyone. Most of us are looking for a job like yours! If you love what you're doing, and you're cut out for research nursing, stay there! Love what you do, and if it's the right fit, then you won't miss a hospital setting nor will you regret that you started off at a research job instead. There are a ton of opportunities in which you can keep up with your skills, and though it's not the same, I wouldn't complain if I were you. I'm trying to get out of the hospital and you're trying to get in! lol! You'll be fine. Enjoy what you've been able to accomplish thus far, which is definitely a lot. :)