Hospital nsg after LTC?

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Hi all -

I'm looking for advice r/t my career path in nursing - I'm a new grad, and always wanted to work in a hospital - med/surg first, then txfr over to the ER, then -my LT fantasy is to be a LifeFlight Nurse. I do not know how realistic this is. I have a husband who has a very good job and works FT; 3 kids, 2 school-age and 1 3yo; and I'm 40.

I just had an interview yesterday with a hospital 1.25 hrs away, and it looks extremely promising - for a 36-hr position, 3 12's, 7p-7a. They want me back for a "peer interview" next week. I don't think there is any way I can take this job,tho. (I actually didn't know what the hrs were for the position until I was in the interview). It would mean putting my youngest into daycare so I could sleep. I have been very lucky and able to stay home with my kids; and she has an Oct birthday which misses the cutoff for the public school by 5 days, so she would be in daycare for the next 2 years.

My other alternative is to go to a LTC facility closer to home, and just work PT like I had originally intended.

My question: will a hospital hire me after 2 years PT in a LTC facility? Or will I be looked at as not having enough experience? At what point are you considered an "experienced" nurse?

Thanks, everyone, sorry this was a little long -

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Would you be willing to work a weekend Baylor night position? For example would you be willing to work Friday and Saturday nights part time in the hospital if the hospital agreed to it and your family could afford it? You could consider working either two 12s or two 8s. It doesn't sound that you're thrilled with the idea of working in LTC. Plus it doesn't meet your goals. I've had friends with small children to work the two 12s and they and their families tolerated it well. Of course, Baylor weekend use to be a full-time offering.

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Thanks, MiJourney - Yes, 2 12's on the weekend would be perfect for me -

I do this all the time to myself - I don't speak up for what I want or need, I just go along with what is offered - why can't I ask for only 24 hrs instead of 36? Today I emailed the NM and asked if it were possible to work ONLY weekends after orientation; she said she couldn't say definitely yes or no at this point, but she did seem open.

So that's what I'll do. I'll ask for what I need.

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