If you applied for a job that isn't your "dream" job...

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

... how do get yourself hired? I know this sounds really weird... let me explain.

My dream job, I guess, would be oncology. I started out doing that after school, but was forced to quit by an evil manager after my orientation period. So I did med/tele-cardiac PCU followed by dialysis; I liked the dialysis, but the hours were dreadful and some aspects of the job bothered me (I did find it interesting, though). My last PRN job ended when pt census fell and never recovered. So now I'm in the position to look for work again.

I applied for a PRN oncology position (hoping it would get my foot in the door) and didn't even get an interview ("someone else was hired" stated the rejection letter). So I applied for a new opening on an ortho floor. It sounded great - perfect hours, good manager, teamwork/respect/etc. I sense that this (male) mgr would never put up with the kind of lateral violence I (and my coworkers) experienced in my last job. There's only one problem: I just can't get excited about ortho, never could (even in nursing school). I just find it kind of boring. But I need a job, full-time, and fast, and really need to get my foot in the door of the hospital (after 6 months you can transfer).

OK, so I don't even have an interview yet, but I will probably get one (I am qualified). What do I say when the mgr asks why I want the job? Have any of you ever started on a floor you weren't excited about that later turned into a really good position? I should be grateful in this rotten job market to even have a chance at a job, so why am I so hesitant? Maybe I'm obsessing over this because I'm wondering if I can handle med/surg again after all these years (they do offer an excellent orientation, though)...

Thanks for any feedback/encouragement,

DeLana

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

you're going to have to find something you can be excited about in ortho -- at least for the interview. taking care of ortho patients may not be your dream (it wouldn't be mine) but if you want the job, you're going to have to convince whoever is doing the hiring that you want it. maybe some ortho nurses will chime in and tell you what they like about their jobs, but think of something!

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

I was in your situation. I wanted a RN job in Labor and Delivery, but there was no opening for the position. So I decided to apply everywhere and anywhere. I landed a job in Med-Surg/Oncology. I was kind of horrified that this was the only acute job I got interviewed for. In nursing school I had such a bad experience in Med-Surg/Oncology that I never ever wanted to do this ever. My mom told me that the area your weak is where you sometimes end up in. I did not want to believe her. During the interview, the nurse manager notice that my nurse aide and internships were in pediatrics and labor and delivery. She asked me why I wanted to work in Med-Surg/Oncology. I told her because I am a new grad I wanted experience in Med-surg so I have a good nursing foundation. She asked me how long I plan to stay in med-surg and I told her about 1-2 years. I thought I did terrible in the interview, but I was offered this job. I was so shock she gave it to me. So I accepted it because I figured, I needed to get my foot in the hospital why turn it down. I have started working on the floor for about 2 weeks now. It is tough, but I am actually learning a lot and enjoying it. I have a supportive manager, staff who are very helpful to my learning and teaching. Med-surg is tough for me, but I am slowly learning to enjoy it.

I hope my experience helps. I just try to be a optimistic and it helps. I dont look at why I might hate, I just think of it as an oppertunity to learn and grow as a nurse. Besides your right you just want to get experience to get your foot in the door and then you can transfer later if you dont like it. But who knows, you might like it too.

[cloister]

I wanted oncology too, fresh out of school. I drove up to Nashville to interview on winter break my senior year, hoping that's where they'd place me.

It wasn't.

"We'd like to hire you for 11 South, the neurology and neurosurgery floor", said the nice recruiter.

I don't remember what I said, but I wasn't doing cartwheels at the prospect. He then pointed out that it was medical AND surgical - a selling point, I guess. To which I, naive 21 year old that I was, said, "OK".

Fast forward 6 months, and I am off orientation, in charge, and hating the stupid floor, because I don't have a clue about how to determine a neuro change from say, a stubborn old man who is feigning sleep. The residents are already tired of me, and it's only July. As time went on, though, it got better, I got better, and you know what? Neuro is everywhere in nursing. That first assignment has stood me in good stead over the years.

I finally did oncology, about 5 years later. Really liked it, but no full time positions available and left after 3 months for telemetry, and eventually SICU, where I think I'll stay.

I imagine that ortho will be the same for you. There's a lot of basic med surg there, and frankly, most of those folks are going to get better and leave the hospital fairly soon. In the meantime, you're learning all about mobilizing patients, how NOT to screw up a hip or knee replacement, and oh boy, will you know a thing or two about pain control. Probably never going to be your dream job, but hey! Fake it till you make it. At least for the interview.

Good luck! I hope you get where you want to be. Keep us posted.

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

Thank you all for the encouragement. I guess I'm just a bit freaked out about returning to med/surg - but on the other hand, it will be an excellent learning opportunity (the ratio, up to 1:6, is also much better than what I dealt with a decade ago - 1:8!)

Now I first have to get an interview; I'll let you know how it turns out.

DeLana