Had to quit job bcz of twin pg

[EwokRN]

Hi. I graduated with my 2nd Degree BSN Nursing Dec '08, and I acquired my nursing license back in Jan '09. I worked at a LTC facility for about 10 months, and I quit back in April '10. I actually made a mistake of leaving some pt's medication in the medicine drawer of my med cart and the DON caught whiff of it when the oncoming nurse tattled in me, and hence I was put on suspension, but before she could do anything I quit. I thought to tell you the truth that it was time for me to quit anyway considering the fact that I was putting myself under a lot of stress, because of my twin pg, and the fact that the environment was hostile both physically (80 degree temp in the nursing home) and mentally (other nurse not really helping with my violent pt). Plus, they kept on switching my pts.

In the long run, I really didn't feel so bad, because my doctor two weeks later wanted me to take it easy due to the suspected VSD in one of my twin babies, so right now I'm just glad I quit when I did.

I figured with my one year of experience working a combination of long term care with some acute experience mixed in, then I could actually go for other jobs after my twins are born. Something in me makes me not so hopeful though. I looked at some of the jobs locally here in SE VA, and it turns out that a lot of the jobs require you to work in a hospital for a year? Should I be concerned about this?

My mom, the retired RN, said I should just bank on my experience in LTC counting. What do you think? Thanks for any info that you can provide.

Ewok

[pers]

When you work in a hospital, previous hospital experience is preferred for obvious reasons. I assume the same is true for LTC. However, you have what you have and when you go looking for a new job you just have to sell it as being the absolute best combination to be the perfect nurse to hire.

I wouldn't hesitate to apply for a position that was asking for a year of experience even if my experience wasn't in their preferred location. You'll have a different set of skills to bring to the table that in some units will really make you shine. Just think about the stuff you got in LTC that will help you sell it to a prospective employer. Think about the time management skills with handling so many different patients! Sell your experience in customer service too, you've had lots of practice making patients feel comfy and at home in their unfamiliar environment (use new admissions and confused pts). Use anything you learned that you can turn to your advantage in an interview!

[EwokRN]

You know, you're right! I actually remember a girl who had to sell herself to get into this stepdown unit despite the fact that she was a new graduate in this hard economic times. Thanks again!

Ewok