Mini Rant

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.

So, I have 4 years of pediatric experience in home care. I'd like to expand my skillset on a pediatric hospital floor. Not even a specialty floor, just a regular pediatric floor. Trouble is, 3 years of my experience was as an LPN, so on all of these filtering systems used by the hospital hiring algorithms I look like I only have 1 year of nursing experience because all they ask about is RN experience. My duties changed not one iota between being an LPN and an RN in my position. What's more, I don't have my BSN so I am rejected out of hand despite having years of experience. I am highly motivated to earn my BSN. The whole point of wanting to break into acute care is to not only expand my skillset but earn enough and work a schedule that would allow me to go back to school. The company I work for is too small for proper benefits and I'm working rotating shifts plus a second job trying to make ends meet.

It's just tiring because I feel like goalposts are always moving. First I couldn't be hired as a tech because I was an LPN student, so I missed out on that opportunity. I went to school to get my RN to try to satisfy that requirement to move up. Then I couldn't take a pay hit to be a tech in RN school, so I missed out on that opportunity. Now I am being rejected for not having a BSN and not knowing the right people from not being fed through their tech system. It makes me feel burned out after only 4 years on the job and only making $19/hr after going thousands in debt.

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A BSN program was available when you started out. Your situation is shared by many who choose to take the ladder approach to a nursing career, no matter their reason for doing so.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Just now, caliotter3 said:

A BSN program was available when you started out. Your situation is shared by many who choose to take the ladder approach to a nursing career, no matter their reason for doing so.

My reasoning was that I had to work. I have no parents and no one could support me while I spent 4 years not earning enough to live on my own.

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20 hours ago, caliotter3 said:

A BSN program was available when you started out. Your situation is shared by many who choose to take the ladder approach to a nursing career, no matter their reason for doing so.

What exactly is your point? Because it sounds like it is just to judge someone's reasonable choices. There are thousands of people who cannot simply start straight away in a BSN program. This person is just venting on how frustrating it can be. Sheesh.

I for one couldn't go to a BSN program to start with. I was academically dismissed from my University in an entirely different field years before deciding on nursing. I had to obtain an associate's degree in order for the University to accept me back in. Yes, it was mistskes I made that lead to that. But sometimes mistakes you made when you were only 20 years old still haunt you years later. I take responsibility, but yes, I'll vent sometimes.

Not that OP made mistakes like me, but she certainly had her reasons that suited her life best for taking the ladder approach. You sound judgemental.

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But do you or the OP put your reasons on job applications and resumes? My point is that employers are not going to hire the person with excuses. I have my reasons for a lot of things, rarely are they an excuse, and I never get sympathy, empathy, or even an acknowledgement that I am being heard. Judgementalism is in the eye of the beholder and whether we like it or not, is used daily by those who have the power to keep us from what we want in life. The employer who wants a nurse with a BSN is going to use the same reasoning that I posted when they choose an RN with a BSN over someone with their reasons for not having a BSN. Life is unfair.

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42 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

But do you or the OP put your reasons on job applications and resumes? My point is that employers are not going to hire the person with excuses. I have my reasons for a lot of things, rarely are they an excuse, and I never get sympathy, empathy, or even an acknowledgement that I am being heard. Judgementalism is in the eye of the beholder and whether we like it or not, is used daily by those who have the power to keep us from what we want in life. The employer who wants a nurse with a BSN is going to use the same reasoning that I posted when they choose an RN with a BSN over someone with their reasons for not having a BSN. Life is unfair.

This is not an application, resume, nor job interview. I viewed the post as simply venting about the struggles thousands face. Perhaps you viewed it differently. Perhaps you viewed it as "Poor me. Why don't they hire me, not them?" Maybe we just viewed the post differently. I just don't find it helpful to reply with "life is not fair."

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Adding to that, while life is not fair, that doesn't mean we should accept status quo. OP IS right. She IS more qualified for an inpatient peds position than a new grad RN. It IS ridiculous that whatever system a hospital uses, that it only includes her RN experience. She did do the exact same thing as RNs in home care. There's nothing wrong with venting about a system that is set up poorly.

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Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

Life is unfair, but this is a rant. OP isn't asking for advice, or for us to fix his/her problems; OP is letting off some steam. Let's be supportive.

I'm sorry things suck, OP. Best of luck.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thank you for the support, those who were supportive. I don't accept excuses in my life, but everyone gets tired from time to time.

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I know you're ranting but have you looked into agency/travel nursing? You have the experience. Give it a try and see if you can get an assignment close to your area.

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With your experience I'd hire you in a heartbeat. Your hands on 4 years experience trumps a new grad whether ADN or BSN.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

It's very sad that it's often more who you know than what you know. In your previous nursing/schooling, have you made any connections that might be useful in your search? I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time, I hope that it works out for you soon.

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