I need your Advice

[rella.jmnz]

becoming a Nephrology nurse or Operating Room Nurse? which one has a brighter future? in demand?

I do not have Med/Surg or critical care experience or any hospital work experience, I am stuck in a Long Term Care (LTC) and it sucks because RN's there are taken over by nursing assistants or personal care attendants and by Licensed Practical Nurses, no more job left for RNs, no learning at all everyday the same thing.

And because of my lack of experience outside LTC, hospitals do not want to hire me. The only solution that I can think of right now is to take additional education focused on Nephrology Nursing or Perioperative Nursing.

I need advice on what should I do with my nursing career......... I am 26 and i feel like I still am not a successful nurse.

[brownbook]

Hi, no one has a crystal ball about "a brighter future? in demand," jobs. I think you have to get your foot in an acute care hospital door. Apply everywhere you can, take part time, extra help, per diem, positions. Work weekends night shifts even while keeping your current job. Take continuing education classes at acute care hospitals, get to know instructors. Both nephrology and operating room nurses are good jobs, but again no guarantee. I would focus more on getting acute care hospital med/surg experience. PLEEEEASE, 26 is so young!!! Sorry I just had to add that, but really don't give up, don't get discouraged.

[KBRN413]

i'm a relatively new rn. i've been out of school for 3 years. i have been working on a med/surg/telemetry floor. i have learned an extensive amount in my 3 years there. i was also very fortunate to have a new graduate recidency program at my facility. i had a class once a week for a year and was refreshed on a lot of things and also learned a lot about my facility. i highly recommend a med/surg telemetry floor to gain experience! appy everywhere! you will be happy :)

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

no crystal ball here either - but OR nurses are in demand in my area.

[Eldrad]

I started working in dialysis right out of school. I love the work a lot, but there is little room for promotions. What I did not realize is that hospitals do not count dialysis experience. I applied to jobs in hospitals and they say "oh you dont have any hospital experience". I do enjoy what I do, but i need to get into a hospital to get the real experience before I settle into anything long term. Also there is not a lot of money in dialysis, I started at $27 and only get about a 2% raise yearly.