How would you handle this situation?

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

You said:

Now that I have my degree and recently passed NCLEX, the hospital is making it a struggle for me to grow within the company. Nurse managers are saying no to my resume due to my inexperience and I am not being given the opportunities I feel I have earned working at this hospital for almost 5 years.

I'm not clear on what you mean by 'the hospital is making it a struggle' for you. It sure is strange that they would consider you 'inexperienced', in spite of your 5 years of employment there, even as a CNA. Half of the struggle for a new nurse is figuring out the hospital routines, which you will already know.

You don't say right out that you've been TOLD that they aren't hiring anything but BSNs. I know Magnet-seeking hospitals are making this transition, and I have my opinions about that :bored: (as a BSN myself, I think it's like putting a bandaid on a liver laceration).

If I were in your shoes, I'd find some way to immediately enroll or start the process of enrollment in an RN to BSN course, and with that in hand, re-send your resumes to your current employer.

Whether or not we agree with this BSN only Magnet thing, it's not like we can ignore it

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 10, 2015

Welcome to the club!! This is going on everywhere. And it is beyond a shame.

First off, this is not about you and your work ethics. It is happening everywhere and although you may feel as if it is a slight against you as either a worker or a person, it is not. But is stinks to be put in a position that you are.

Have a professional look at your resume and cover letter. Get some coaching on interview skills. Think about alternate places you can work to help you at least get some experience. I would think about urgent care, small community hospitals, at this point even a clinic or MD office.

Do not take this to heart. Facilities are businesses.

Management is looking for the highest degree at the lowest salary they can. It makes THEM look good. They don't give a rat's hind quarters how long you have put into a facility, any sort of loyalty--as loyalty can't usually be groomed into their own image going forward, and denotes emotional attachment that management doesn't want to deal with. If you have drank coke for years, you don't easily switch to koolaid. And that is a problem.

To be blunt, management could care less if a BSN prepared nurse knows a foley from a frito, or how to insert one. As long as the patient is "delighted", and checks the appropriate survey boxes. Until such time as patient acquires an infection from said foley. Then they throw the nurse under the bus, back up, drive over said nurse again....and get rid of her to hire yet another BSN from a cast of thousands to begin again. And hopefully at a lower salary. Then the original nurse can't find employment as a BSN. And they laugh, and laugh.....sick stuff.

Hence why any number of them are also looking for a BSN who has visions of getting a Master's in Business. Because it is a business, and nurses are a disposable commodity.

There have been 2 CNA's who have gone on to get their ADN's. Both lost jobs due to passing the NCLEX. Both had years of being at a facility. The facility wouldn't hire them as nurses until they got their BSN's. Which would have made them a few dollars less an hour than what they had worked up to salary wise as CNAs!! AND if when they got their BSN's that they actually "had a position" available to them, which was not even remotely guaranteed.

I am sorry that this has happened to you.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

How would you handle this situation?

I would handle this situation by enrolling in a self-paced, affordable online RN-to-BSN program. Complete it as fast as you possibly can.

I recently completed an online RN-to-BSN program in 10 months while working full time nights. It cost me $5,800, so I was able to pay little by little without accruing student loans. Another frequent poster completed the same self-paced program in less than six months.

As unfair as the preference for BSNs seems, there's an old saying: "adapt or die." You can adapt by attaining the credential that employers in your area desire, or you can watch your career wither away. It is up to you. Good luck!

Red Kryptonite · Apr 10, 2015

Im very iffy about applying to a nursing home or subacute because I feel i was already working at a hospital so i feel im moving backwards.

I wonder if people realize just how insulting they're being to the nurses who work in those facilities when they say things like this. It's pretty crappy how freely this prejudice gets thrown around.

I've known some experienced LTC nurses (even LPNs! Oh my!) who could outnurse a whole classroom of BSNs before their lunch breaks. LTACs may be classed as sub-acute (wrongly IMO), but they have some of the sickest people around and anyone working in one will learn nursing skills on par with a hospital nurse.

I think your answer is to take your nose out of the air and go find a job where you can.

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 10, 2015

Loyalty is a thing of the past. I worked as a CNA for four years while in school, and when I asked about RN jobs I was told "We don't have the budget to train new grads". This didn't bother me too much because I knew that the hospital didn't owe me anything beyond the pay for my CNA work. So I went looking elsewhere and got my first RN job at another hospital in town.

Apply to more places, it takes a while to get a job without experience. Widen the geographic areas you are willing to work.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

DO you mind sharing your program? Is it Grand Canyon? I am looking for a good and CHEAP Masters program.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

How would you feel about being obligated to work for them as a nurse since they had hired you as a CNA, previously? Assume you had other offers that worked out much better for you after graduation...

I don't think it's unfair since you're both free to chose. It would be extra nice if they found a job for you, but...

Jules A, MSN · Apr 10, 2015

Do you know any unit managers who really liked you as a CNA? I'm always a fan of going right to the person in charge and using contacts. In my experience what hospitals want to support their Magnet grandiose ideas and what they can actually get are often two different things. When I worked at a well known, inner city, teaching hospital after getting Magnet status they still hired new grad ADNs in areas of high need like psych. If you really want to work there I would be persistent unless or until you get a final NO way from someone with the power to make that assertion. Congratulations on graduating and good luck!

freckles23 · Apr 12, 2015

Thank you all for your responses! It has opened up my eyes alot. Why would I want to work for a company that does not support me and my career? I am starting to look at other hospitals down south like an hour away from me. They have tons of RN positions open, but many saying BSN preferred but I guess if they really think you are the right candidate then they will hire you. Im just scared that down the road if I work at a subacute or drs office or urgent clinic that when I go to apply for a hospital down the line, they wont hire me because it isnt like hospital work. and I also definitely want to get my BSN but I do not have the money for that right now and I figured I could work full time and get some kind of tuition help from the job I do end up getting. As for going to a nurse manager that knows me and my work ethic, it seems to be going beyond their control. My one friend graduated with me, the NM was holding him a position and now its nursing administration that is questioning hiring this person due to being an ADN. Anyone recommend any online course from RN to BSN? and what the tuition is?

Career Columnist / Author · Apr 12, 2015

I know this seems to you like a lack of experience/no BSN degree problem...but are you sure?

Typically CNAs have an advantage over outside candidates at their home facility when they graduate as an RN...even at Magnet Hospitals or hospitals who aspire to earn magnet status. Managers have a lot of leeway in hiring who they choose, and just the fact alone of not having your BSN shouldn't count as a total strike.

Magnet hospitals are not required to have all BSN staff. The per cent of staff with BSN is set by each facility, and is often around 80%.

Is there a manager you trust? Someone you can ask for honest feedback?

You are competing for an RN position with many other new grads. Although you (should) have home field advantage over non-employees, working as a float may not have allowed you to build the strong manager:employee relationships you need to get hired.

Do you have letters of reference from your Clinical Instructors, and does your resume and cover letter stand out enough to get an interview?

I hope it works out for you and you end up where you are meant to be. Best of luck and congrats on passing the NCLEX!

TheGooch · Apr 12, 2015

I think your answer is to take your nose out of the air and go find a job where you can.

I don't know if the OP meant it or not but she actually came across as quite entitled in her post.

Yi