New Grad RN--Do I have an Edge or a Red Flag?

Nurses General Nursing

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A little background story/timelime of how I got to this point

I decided to go into nursing in 2011 after I started volunteering at a pediatric specialty hospital. After interacting with the children and infants hospitalized there as well as their family, I knew I wanted to specialize in peds.

On February of this year, I chose to do my nursing school practicum at that same pediatrics hospital I volunteered at and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, the nursing director of the unit where I did my practicum at was on leave during the time I was there. However, once she came back, which was around the same time I passed my boards, my preceptor put in a good word for me, and I landed an interview on July!

Sadly, I did not land the job. My preceptor said that the director had interviewed 5 other new grad RN's after me and ended up giving the position to an internal applicant, due to "budget issues" that would be avoided by hiring an internal applicant over an external... *rolls eyes*

I continued applying to other pediatric positions outside of that hospital to no avail and ended up having to apply to adult nursing positions. I got no callbacks for interviews and ended up getting just one interview for an adult telemetry position, for which I got hired in August. I figured that with the over saturation of new grad RN's battling to get an interview, I could not get picky, and suck it up even though it was not the position I wanted to be in.

I have been absolutely miserable since starting that position in August. I absolutely hate adult nursing to the point I had a mental breakdown from how much I hate my job. i just couldn't see myself living like this, dreading work each day, to care for a population I was not passionate for, nor saw myself as a good fit. So I started submitting several applications for pediatric positions and begging the recruiters to allow me to interview for a position.

Fast forward to now I was somehow able to annoy one of the recruiters enough, that they scheduled me for an interview at the pediatric urgent care clinic, that belongs to the same hospital system where I had previously volunteered. I honestly would have preferred to be in the acute setting, but I am grateful that if I get hired, I will be able to work in peds, and then move to the acute setting in the future, when an opportunity opens?

I have a little over 3 months of acute care hospital experience, which I guess still characterizes me as a new graduate. My friends have been telling me to not mention I have currently been working as an adult RN for such a brief period. But I think it is better to be honest, because I figure, they will find out later... I am very anxious as to how the nurse manager will react when she looks at my resume. Will this experience give me an edge during the interview? Or will it raise red flags?

What do you guys think of my situation? Is there anyone who did a brief stint in adult nursing and left for peds? Or let me rephrase this... Anyone who quickly left their first nursing job to pursue their dream job? I need your honesty and thoughts, everyone.

And I apologize for this jumbo mumbo of words and not being concise.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Mother-Baby and SCN.

I don't think working as an adult RN for 3 months would hurt you at all, except for the possibility that if they see you only kept a job for 3 months they may red flag you as unreliable or something.. But as far as working with adults for that short a time, no, I don't think so. :) (Make sure you emphasize how your passion is pediatrics, and this is why you left the adult nursing position.. I'm not sure the best way for you to phrase it so you don't seem like an unreliable employee. Maybe some of our experts can help with the best way to discuss it :) )

Specializes in NICU.

Include your current job on your resume. It will be understandable to the interviewing manager that with your background that adult nursing is not a good fit. Any reasonable person would not hold it against you.

Specializes in geriatrics.

Explain that you accepted the position to start your career and gain some nursing experience, but your desire is pediatrics. That's reasonable. Don't say anything negative about your current job.

Also, you're considered a new grad for a year. Three months will not give you an edge over other new grad applicants.

Specializes in Pedi.

You just described how I feel about working with adults exactly. When I was a new grad, I was willing to move anywhere for a pediatric job. Your current position should be included in your resume. Explain in your cover letter or at the interview that you have always known you wanted to work in pediatrics and the adult job is not a good fit.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I don't think working as an adult RN for 3 months would hurt you at all, except for the possibility that if they see you only kept a job for 3 months they may red flag you as unreliable or something.

I agree, stress to them that this behavior is the rare exception and not the norm for you...and if you do get this job, be prepared to tough it out for at least a year no matter how bad it may get (though hopefully it won't be). Skipping out on one job after 3 months can be forgiven. Doing it twice in a row, and employers will see an unfavorable pattern instead of a new grad trying to find their niche.

Best of luck!

Thank you everyone, for your comments! I feel more comfortable about my upcoming interview.

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