How Do You Get The Experience If No One Will Give It To You?

[brown eyed girl]

I am a new grad with 7 years experience in long term care as a nurse assistant. I have applied and interviewed in a few places plus got screwed out of a position over something petty at my job and nothing has materialized. I have 2 new leads which I am going to apply to today. I am in a situation where I have to seriously consider an agency where I have a wonderful friendship with the nurse scheduler to get the experience that I need to get my career rolling since I'm having such a difficult time. I understand that this is frowned upon in the nursing community for good reason, but I know my job and yes I know it's more than passing meds and doing tx's. I'M STILL WORKING AS A NURSE ASSISTANT AND I HAVE BEEN LICENSED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FEB. I put in my 2wks. notice at my job b/c I can't continue to let my job use me since they won't hire me (SEE: I GOT HIRED ONE DAY AND FIRED THE NEXT) as a nurse. I am ready to give up finding a job here in Central Ohio; I could've commuted an hour and fifteen minutes back to Dayton to find a job, at least I would've had better luck. I know what I am getting into working with agency b/c I used to be a agency aide, I KNOW I HAVE MORE RESPONSIBILITY BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Is there any possibility that you could move to an area with more opportunities. Family never likes you to do that, but sometimes you have to do what is best for you.

[brown eyed girl]

Im moving to atlanta in early june or july and I have to have at least 500 hours of paid time to be able to endorse my license. So, you see the dilemma I'm in with saying "screw it" and just work the agency anyway.

[Hoping LVN2BSN]

I'm still a student, but can't you work at an agency for money and volunteer at a hospital for experience? My mother after she retired she volunteered at a community clinic. Not a hospital, but still something you can put on a resume.

[brown eyed girl]

I never thought about volunteering; thank you for the idea, I like it! I wont be able to do that until after my move though. I have to get things together financially for my major move in 3-4 months.

[Hoping LVN2BSN]

Good luck to you Brown, I bet there is an oppurtunity in Atlanta with your name all over it.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I am curious, what happened where they hired you and fired you as a nurse? And, I would consider the agency. If you have an ongoing relationship with the nurse scheduler, then that is your way in. And, of course, volunteering is not a bad idea.

Your post says that you have been licensed since Feb. Is that this year? If so, then, try to be a bit patient. One of the things that people always seem to fashion their lives around is the shortage of nurses. They believe that nursing is so short that the moment you get your license, you will have them banging down the door, and that is not always true. You may have to come out of the zone that is comfortable and become innovative, such as the suggestion of volunteering, agency work, or such. Plus, like the other person said, at least with the agency, that is something you can add to your resume!