Stuck in Nurse Position

[Neldi]

Hello All,

Looking for some advice, I have been a nurse for about 6 years. When I got out of school, could not find a job so took one at a doctors office. Went back to school to get my BSN. Always enjoyed bed side nursing. Took a job a year ago doing case management and its just not for me. My biggest fear in that the longer I stay in the case management position the worse my chances will be at getting inpatient positions. I have been trying to get a med/surg position and have put in tons of applications. Had 3 interviews in the past month and was not offered a position. I have done some LTC. So my question is does anyone think I will/ or could land a position on a med/surg unit? One of the recruiters from one of the hospitals I interviewed said to me I am competing with new grads when I spoke to her.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thank you

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Do you have ACLS? That can be helpful. Have you thought about taking a nurse refresher course? If you been away from the bedside or don't have acute care experience that can be helpful as well. Do you have any hospital contacts? Networking with them may give you some leads. How much LTC experience do you have? On interviews, you need to sell yourself and your bedside experience. Time management, working with elderly patients etc.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

You absolutely have a chance. Just keep trying.

[Neldi]

Thank you both for your comments and advice.

[MatrixRn]

You have no bedside nursing experience and would be competing with new grads....who they may see will take a lower rate of start pay than you with your 6 yrs of experience.

And, yes the hospitals want experienced nurses...but it also needs to be the right experience. All of that said, you will find a job, but it may take time.

Make sure to emphasize the assessment skills that you learned from CM.