I feel stuck!!!!

caliotter3 · Jan 21, 2012

I would be satisfied with the flexibility of home health while raising my child in their formative years. Meanwhile, you can set a time table for progressing in your career. You may have to supplement your education to get back in the running, perhaps an online MSN program might help at this point. At least you would be aware that you are doing something for yourself. And there is something to be said about continuing to apply to hospital jobs. However, I would not apply to out of the area positions unless you are willing to actually make the move when the time comes. If you think you are depressed and forlorn now, just wait until you get an offer and decide to turn it down because you don't want to, or can't, make the move. Don't set yourself up for that possibility.

Marshall1 · Jan 21, 2012

It's not easy to get into a hospital anywhere these days..many have hiring freezes or are only willing to take those w/tons of experience/certifications etc. I don't know about the hospitals where you are - but here in Ga - most are 12 hrs. I don't know if w/a child that would be something you could/would want to do. If you work FT there is little flexibility and most of the time weekends and holidays are required. If you are shooting for day shift that may be part of the problem too..most hospitals now start new nurses/those will little experience on night shift. Even though you have worked HH and are doing private duty, you would most likely not be able to work for an agency to get your foot into the hospital door since you don't have experience. You may have to apply outside your immediate area at hospital further away as well. Since you have no hospital experience it will be a little more difficult initially. You can read post after post on here of new grads and some not so new who are still trying years later. There is not a shortage of nurses, there is a shortage of nursing jobs. Just because they are posted means nothing really - hospitals are trying to do more with less - including caring for patients with less staff - it's about money. That being said, your post overall sounds like you aren't really "into" nursing that much anyway. Have you thought about moving into a management position within HH? Even if it means going to another company?

As far as hospital nursing, I've done it for 22 yrs - some FT, some PT, some PRN and sometimes leaving for short periods to do something else - like HH. I recently went back and I know for sure, it is not something I want to do any longer. At least not "floor nursing" in the traditional sense - if I'm going to - it will be through an agency to get paid $ and have some say so. I am in the process of going to work for an agency until I can land something outside of the hospital on a permanent basis.

Lots of nurses feel stuck now - it isn't just you - but keep in mind - especially w/having a child, the hospital is 12 hr shifts 3 days/wk if you work FT. Which really means 14 hr days if all goes well. I personally would not like private duty - I too would get bored and frankly I would be uncomfortable hanging around someone's house while they slept etc. Anyway...I don't really have any advice other than to check some employment sites like careerbuilder.com, monster.com, indeed.com and simplyhired.com for ideas. Good luck.

Tori11 · Jan 21, 2012

Thanks, yup I'm bored. I feel like I wasted my time. I do love being a nurse but like I said privated duty is boring. Now that I have a child my schedule is a bit more rigid but before her I would work any shift, and day of the week, holidays, etc. I worked 3-12's at an ltc and during my internship but that didn't bother me. I am not really that into nursing but I figured I'd keep trying ( I get that a lot). I'm not into nursing due to all of the stumbling and feeling lost not the actual job. It's really not what I thought it would be perhaps I should go back to pharmacy school, who knows.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

I feel stuck too, but unlike you, I feel stuck *in* the hospital. I could transfer to ICU, Med/Surg, Oncology, L&D or NICU right now (they all have postings at this time), but having done the "floor nurse" thing, and now having been in the ED for a while, I want OUT of the hospital, but neither LTC/SNF nor private duty hold any appeal for me. The things I'd love to do, such as patient education or ambulatory care or community health, are not hiring. I think it's because nurses like me who get burnt out on the hospital get these jobs and stay. Someone has to retire or die before these jobs become available. It is really discouraging.