Keep looking for a job or finish my BSN?

[clamchopz, ASN]

Hi Everyone,

On my last post, I stated that I was in a New Grad RN program and was struggling with my preceptor. I received a lot of good advice, and I tried my best. Thank you for our advice and support. Unfortunately, I did not pass probation and was fired from my job. Even my union rep felt the termination was unfair. Because I was on probation, the union rep could not fight harder for me. They read my evaluations and even said they were being "nit-picky" on a lot of things. They could have transferred me to a different unit since it wasn't a good fit.... it is what it is. Time to move forward and leave that behind.

I have already applied for Unemployment and I'm waiting for that to kick in. I am 5 classes away from finishing my BSN. I have a B.S. in Health Sciences already, so I opted to go for the ADN program at a local community college and received my nursing education for free. After I graduated, I got married, and 4 months after my wedding, my father suddenly passed away. I have had 2 miscarriages in the past 2 years. So, it took a while for me to "screw my head on" correctly and pass the NCLEX. I took a few review courses and finally found one that worked to help me pass. After passing NCLEX, I struggled to find a job since I wasn't exactly a "new grad." I'm one of those "OLD new grads." I was so happy to have been accepted to this program since I worked for that hospital for 10 years as a Phlebotomist. Unfortunately, I wasn't matched up with the right preceptor, and things went downhill from there. I tried my best. Now, I'm trying to figure out what the next step should be.

Should I take an RN refresher course and continue to look for employment? Or, should I take money out of my 401K and finish those 5 BSN courses in 3 months? After I finish the BSN courses, I still plan to enroll into the RN refresher courses. I feel that if I work first, it would take longer to finish those 5 classes. I am enrolled at Capella University in their self-paced BSN program. I love the courses and I am getting straight A's. I put a pause in my education because I was struggling with my job.

A lot of jobs out here require the BSN degree.... I am in the process of trying to get all my medical supplies saved up to hold me over for the next 3-4 months... I am going to pay for Cobra for 2 months to get everything I need medical-wise done before discontinuing it. It is very costly. Unfortunately, I do not quality for Medi-Cal (I'm in California). Covered California program is still costly for type of healthcare that I will need. My husband's insurance will cost as much as Covered California.

My husband suggests that I should just focus and finish the 5 classes in 3 months to obtain the BSN degree. I know that I can do it if I don't work. After finishing that, then take the RN refresher course. If employers ask about my 3-4 month gap in employment, I could state that I decided to focus and finish the BSN degree so that I would receive better opportunities. I can also state that I took the RN refresher course to ensure that I am ready and able to work.

Does this sound like a good plan or should I find work ASAP to pay all my debt off and finish the BSN classes after I'm stable with a job? I'm worried about our financial debt. I'm worried that I would not be able to find a job. I'm worried that I will struggle with the next job. My previous preceptor really made me feel like I was such an inadequate nurse. No matter what decision I made, it was the "wrong" decision. This termination has taken a big toll on my self-confidence. A friend of mine said that this hospital is notorious for treating their workers this way. I know she means well...

I have had two interviews already. One interview was for a Covid unit at a SNF. They want me to work with 14 Covid patients with 1 LVN and 1 CNA during the shift with only 2 days of Orientation. They hired me on the spot, but I told them I want to keep my options open since I am interviewing elsewhere. They told me to let them know by Monday. Another interview I had was a New Grad Med-Surg Program in a much smaller hospital. The DON told me that they preferred someone with no experience and has to interview 20 other applicants with only 4 openings. She said she will let me know next week.

I spoke to a job counselor and she agreed with my husband to finish the BSN courses.

Any advice or thoughts on this would be deeply appreciated. I will let you know how things go. Thanks in advance!

[amoLucia]

To me, it sounds like you need to allow yourself to experience some big doses of SUCCESS at this time. So, having said that, I agree with your option to finish school at this time. You're making great grades now - keep it going! Don't lose the momentum!! ! All too often, nurses/students stop attending classes, even though the intention was only meant to be temporary. But getting back into that SUCCESS mode is freq SOOOOO much harder for them after the delay. No need to set yourself up for disappointment and frustration.

Then for you, a definite positive attribute for any job search will be that you will have achieved that GOLDEN RING or GOLDEN FLEECE. Yeah, for that BSN! Your job prospects should then open up for you. Another positive SUCCESS awaits you.

And your hubby agrees with the education route too (POSITIVE POSITIVE).

You're struggling to find work now; realistically, that may not improve any time soon. And there's no reason for you to doubt yourself for whatever lies ahead (remember you'll have that BSN good luck charm to help you out!).

JMO, but you sound like you've got your head set on straight, you've thought things out pretty rationally, and your past family issues are just that, PAST. Neither of those 2 jobs you mention are too terrific; both are lacking. And with C19, the pickins' out there are pretty slim pickins'! Allow yourself a less intensive job search - so as not to struggle with so-so choices. And just know, problem experiences with preceptors sometimes just happens.

So if you're OK with unemployment eligibility and watch your spending & budget scrupulously, you could squeeze by. Maintain your COBRA!. So I'd say, complete the BSN, take some post refresher, continue the job search.

And hang in there. GOOD LUCK.

[clamchopz, ASN]

1 hour ago, amoLucia said:

To me, it sounds like you need to allow yourself to experience some big doses of SUCCESS at this time. So, having said that, I agree with your option to finish school at this time. You're making great grades now - keep it going! Don't lose the momentum!! ! All too often, nurses/students stop attending classes, even though the intention was only meant to be temporary. But getting back into that SUCCESS mode is freq SOOOOO much harder for them after the delay. No need to set yourself up for disappointment and frustration.

Then for you, a definite positive attribute for any job search will be that you will have achieved that GOLDEN RING or GOLDEN FLEECE. Yeah, for that BSN! Your job prospects should then open up for you. Another positive SUCCESS awaits you.

And your hubby agrees with the education route too (POSITIVE POSITIVE).

You're struggling to find work now; realistically, that may not improve any time soon. And there's no reason for you to doubt yourself for whatever lies ahead (remember you'll have that BSN good luck charm to help you out!).

JMO, but you sound like you've got your head set on straight, you've thought things out pretty rationally, and your past family issues are just that, PAST. Neither of those 2 jobs you mention are too terrific; both are lacking. And with C19, the pickins' out there are pretty slim pickins'! Allow yourself a less intensive job search - so as not to struggle with so-so choices. And just know, problem experiences with preceptors sometimes just happens.

So if you're OK with unemployment eligibility and watch your spending & budget scrupulously, you could squeeze by. Maintain your COBRA!. So I'd say, complete the BSN, take some post refresher, continue the job search.

And hang in there. GOOD LUCK.

Thank you for your encouragement and advice! I am leaning more towards finishing the BSN since I have a feeling I am not going to get into that New Grad Program into the smaller hospital. I am weighing ALL options before making this final decision. I will take every advice into consideration ?

[clamchopz, ASN]

After a few weeks of looking for a job and interviews, I've re-enrolled into my online BSN classes. I have followed up with emails and phonecalls to see if I received any offers (other than that Covid SNF) with no answers. With that, I'm assuming that I did not get the positions. So I'm not going to waste any more time and decided to finish the BSN degree. I will continue to try to apply for jobs, but I will not be as aggressive about it (just enough to satisfy unemployment office). During my search, I have discovered that a BSN degree is highly desired and I do believe it will open more doors. I have been looking into RN refresher courses. I have been scouring the internet and even called a few places listed on the BRN website. Most of those phone numbers are very outdated. I am located in the Los Angeles, CA area. The most legitimate RN refresher course that I have found is located in San Diego, which is offered at certain times of the year. Their next cohort starts in January 2021 because I just missed their orientation for Fall 2020.

I have read old posts regarding the RN Refresher programs from Santa Ana College and Azusa Pacific University. Unfortunately, they sound very disappointing. So, I went ahead and signed up for an online RN Refresher course through Nursing.com. They had a sale going on and I receive access for 1 year. I can refresh some nursing skills/concepts while working on my BSN classes since I have been staying home.

Does anyone have any further advice? I hope I am on the right track. It is unfortunate and disappointing that I have to be in this position. It is what it is. I am not going to stop. I am moving forward and hopefully things will turn out for the better. If anyone in Southern California knows of a good, legitimate RN refresher course, please let me know!

[amoLucia]

Thank you for your comeback response. It's always hoped that OPs take some positive action and respondents like myself appreciate the news.

Again, good luck to you.