In Between Jobs - Survival Tips, Please!

Published

So, background..

My first RN job out of school was on a med/surg/ortho unit. I had wanted to quit a month in but ended up staying for 8 months before leaving to start a new job in community health/primary care. I ended up leaving a week after starting this new position because there was a severe lack of organization and training in addition to multiple other factors that made me feel uncomfortable. Fast forward a month and I am still on the hunt for a job (can't say I missed this part!).

I know it may take a while for me to find something, but I'm really in need of money especially because I plan on starting school in the Fall for my Master's. I have been looking for part time/temp/seasonal positions in food/retail/etc. but i'm worried this will look bad on my resume?

Any pointers or advice? The hospital setting was too much for me to handle, so I have been trying to steer away from that environment, and the primary care setting (at least the one I was exposed to) had nurses performing mostly secretarial work and only vaccinations/injections. What are some options that fall in between those types of settings?

Much appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Were you told that you do not qualify for unemployment benefits?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have not looked into it/don't know if it would apply to me since I voluntarily quit my job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Apply, worse that happens is your claim is denied. You won't know if you don't apply. As for the reason you are no longer working, sometimes the circumstances allows them to approve a claim.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

food stamps? work for an agency? Most agencies will hire anyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Unemployment benefits are unlikely due to brief job tenure & voluntary termination. I do know of one person in my area who did manage to win unemployment after resignation because he could prove that he quite due to extraordinary circumstances - continued employment would have involved violation of NPA. But he had a much longer history of continuous employment.

Any income is better than no income. Working in a non-nursing job would be totally understandable since this is the only option. OP may have a very tough time landing a nursing job based on previous job history.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Maybe you should reconsider graduate school at this time. If you can't handle a hospital environment, and you have no experience in any other type of environment ... what type of graduate-level career are you thinking would be a good fit for you? Perhaps you should get your feet on the ground professionally and financially before investing a lot of time, effort and money in more nursing education at this point. Can you delay your admittance into grad school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion