Hospice RN, love it, but needing a change, how to?

[AniRN]

Hello all.

I am an RN with a home health hospice in Denver. I have worked in hospice for 2 years: 8 months as an RN and the others as an LPN (I was an LPN for 3 years before getting my RN). Before hospice I worked in LTC and sub-acute care in a rehab facility in San Francisco. I really enjoy the philosophy of Hospice, and I enjoy my job, but I don't think it is my calling. Or maybe it is, but I would like to try another area, more in the acute care areas. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to switch "specialties"? Since I am a newly graduated RN, I have that obstacle in front of me, and I also have no acute care experience, well none that hiring managers will take into account. My hospice has an inpatient unit, and we do a lot of acute care things, like PICC lines, ports, lots of med administration, lots and lots of wound care. But anyway, all of the nursing recruiters I have talked to say I need more experience. My hope is that after working as an RN for a year I can perhaps get into a hospital, but I really have no idea where to begin as there is that catch-22: you can't work in a hospital unless you have experience, but you can't get experience if no one will hire you.

I know the job market is pretty much nonexistent right now, so I am not in a hurry. But I will do anything (almost) to get into the system. My dream is to work in labor and delivery. How do I get there, from helping people leave the world to bringing them into it?

Thank you for any advice!

[Werblessed]

Hospitals WILL hire you but at a bargain price. It's a win-win situation...they get a RN for a starting salary and you get experience that you absolutely need as a RN. They have openings for Graduate RNs and that is technically where you need to begin. You will be mentored by a staff RN and they will be able to expose you to different acute care experiences and procedures. It's not a cake walk but it is VITAL in gaining both experience and confidence. We all started where you are starting and you may find that your niche is in the hospital/acute-care setting (whether it's in the ED, ICU, OR, etc - your heart will lead you where you belong). When you start, let the charge nurse on your unit know that you need experience in starting IVs, blood draws (from Central Lines), chest tubes, vents, etc. and they will keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities for you to learn. Getting this experience will make you who you are meant to be as a nurse. It will look/feel much different vs. hospice care settings and care philosophy but it will enable you to grow and blossom as a full-fledged nurse who can critically think in any care setting. I would also recommend (once you get your feet wet) to request opportunities to orient to different units. Med/Surg is terrific experience, but getting into the ICU and/or ED will show you how to critically think through a situation while you're in the midst of a crisis.

Best of luck to you. You are heading in the right direction. Exceptional skills and variety of experiences will enable you to excel in the care you provide to your patients.:yelclap: