Looking for some career advice for the DC Metro area

RNwannabeCNM · Jun 27, 2013

Hi everyone!

I would really appreciate any advice on what types of RN jobs I should/could look for in the DC Metro Area.

Here is some background: I graduated with an ADN in 2010 and worked part-time for a year and a half at a clinic that was located inside an American Embassy in Asia. We were the first point of contact for anything from the common cold to life threatening illnesses and trauma for embassy employees and their families. In coordination with an NP, I did patient intake, physical assessments, pre-natal visits, pediatric visits, etc. I also ran the vaccination program for 50+ families and kids. I carried the "duty/advice" phone one week out of every three. Last July, we relocated for my husband's job to another country in Asia, where I applied for a job as a school nurse in October and then waited for 8+ months to get my nursing license - too late to actually start working since we are leaving now. In the meantime, I have been working on my RN-BSN, which I will finish this August.

So here are my questions:

1) How do hospitals look at this type of clinic experience? Should I still be applying to a "new grad" type of position in a hospital or would having done this job put me more in the realm of an RNII?

2) Does the one year gap in employment look bad even if I was in school full time for my BSN?

3) Would it be more realistic to try to apply for jobs in outpatient clinics where I already have experience or would I actually have a chance for a job in a hospital?

4) My last concern is that any potential employer will see that I've moved a lot in the last few years and will throw my application in the garbage thinking I won't be around long. We are planning to stay in the area permanently - how can I convince an employer of that, or even get past the application process for that matter?

I would welcome any input. Thanks!