Mini Rant

[ShadowNurse]

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.

[Forest2]

18 minutes ago, brownbook said:

Welcome to the great BSN ADN debate, this educational difference has been the norm for over 40 years.

In "most" situations a bedside nurse in an acute care hospital has the same job and pay whether ADN or BSN.

For over 30 years there has been a debate that all RN's should be BSN.

Some hospitals only hire BSN nurses. Some hospitals "grandfather" their long time ADN nurses into their position even if they're only ADN.

I thought they were trying to say that the education for ASN and BSN were the same except for the time it took. I misinterpreted what was written I guess.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

On your resume, list your job title/position with the dates of employment. Don't differentiate between the LPN and RN aspect in that part of your resume. Just list your degrees under the education portion of your resume. Its a slight of hand that is not untruthful, but rather just presenting the info in a different light. Write a killer cover letter that doesn't talk about your LVN, just your RN experience. Don't draw attention to it.

I second the advice about it being more who you know than anything. Try to find an insider who can get your name in front of a hiring manager and past the automated rejection machines.

Traveling would be an excellent idea as well.

Hang in there. If you keep pushing that boulder, sooner or later it will move.

[NurseBlaq]

25 minutes ago, Forest2 said:

I thought they were trying to say that the education for ASN and BSN were the same except for the time it took. I misinterpreted what was written I guess.

Maybe so. That is not what I meant. I meant there's no difference in duties and working conditions. Maybe I wasn't clear in what I said.

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry OP ? Sounds frustrating. You know what they say... hindsight's 20/20. I think the ladder approach, when done CORRECTLY for your area can be a great idea, and save a LOT of money. While, I went straight for BSN, and don't regret my decision at all, because I wouldn't be where I am, on the unit that I am very happy at without it, I counsil others to do differently. In our area, I'd be a pay to be a PCT first, get a job at a hospital and let them pay for a BSN. Or, if you want to make it a LITTLE more quickly, go for an RN and let them pay for the BSN. I'll be paying for my BSN for quite awhile.

[Gennaver, MSN]

I hear you and agree that hiring algorithms and resume scrubbers weed out those people who may actually be the best match if met in person. Instead, facilities are likely filtering out as many good and letting in as many not so great, as they did before. The automated scrubbers are just flipping the way it happens. It is no fun, I know.

[spotangel, DNP, RN, NP]

Where are you in the US? Depending on the state the govt has programs where there is loan forgiveness and you can go back to school. You may want to look into it.Many health systems and peds facility require RNs. Your other option is get a LPN job in the clinic and let the union pick your tuition as long as you maintain your grades. In NY there are peds nursing homes with children on vents, traches and also kids that run around but those whohave unusual and rare syndromes requiring long term care. They are always looking for new grads. Nurses put in 2-3 years there and then easily get jobs in peds acute care in hospitals. All luck and don't give up! Those kiddies need you to be their nurse one day!

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

On 6/30/2019 at 12:01 PM, Hoosier_RN said:

Is there any way that, if you're unable to get in to acute pediatrics, that you possibly try adult med/surg to get your foot in the door? It's a suggestion I see on here often. Good luck, the right job is waiting just for you!

I wouldnt recommend this. Every nurse in my area who went medsurg is still doing med surg 20 yrs later. They say their biggest regret was not going specialty because no one wants to train the. So sad that it's still a common belief and they get stuck in something they didn't want.

[xokw, BSN, RN]

On 6/30/2019 at 8:08 PM, Claireofgreen said:

Nursing is a suck *** profession period. When I became a nurse it was back when, as a woman, your choices were limited. Nurse, Secretary, etc. This is no longer the case. Hospitals want highly educated people to do these jobs without paying a decent wage. Why? Cause when push comes to shove it is “women’s work” And therefore the pay is *** compared to comparable work if it were a traditional man’s field. I’ve steered my own child away from this profession. Going to college is a financial decision that should give a good return on investment. If you have enough smarts to be a nurse you have enough to be an engineer. Your future and options are better as an engineer.

Really? It is a shame that that has been your experience. My workplace is on a wage grid that brings you to $49.61/hour after 6 years with amazing benefits, pension, 6 weeks vacation, etc... You’re obviously working in the wrong area if you think the pay sucks. I’m sorry for the patients who are on the receiving end of that negativity.

[lilmiz, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

I completely understand where your coming from as I am a old ASN nurse myself. I was a paramedic and decided to see how the “other” side of things worked as I was completely burnt out. I had to work the entire time I was in school and had 2 young boys at the time (grown and gone now). There was a post graduate bridge program I could have applied to after passing NCLEX but financially and mentally I needed to work so I never did it, then fast forward 12 years and now ASN programs are automatically placed with bridge programs and unfortunately HR and the hospital Administration love buzz words like “high level care”, “committed industry leader “, “highly trained clinicians and staff leadership.” So they are focused with blinders and tunnel vision to pick BSN first and others next. With all your experience you definitely are someone that nurse managers would want on their team, as hard work and resilience is a great asset on the floor. You just gotta get by “talent acquisition” or “nursing recruitment”. I would advise contacting them directly as most hospitals have a department that is dedicated to recruiting. And then look at your resume, how long is it, is it concise and flowing or overly long and wordy. I try to keep mine to no more than 2 pages long with the first page being short billeted sections such as Education starting with post secondary only, name of school, city, year, degree or certification and GPA. Then instead of work history or employment history I use “Experience” as the heading. Then again start with current employment years of employment and then short bulleted list of positions held, and any other group or extra talent I am a part of, such as ICU Charge RN/ Staff RN, code team lead, Unit Preceptor for new hires, and shared governance participant. I try to keep my employee history to just around 10-15yrs back and add notation at end stating entire employment history available on request. Then I use Skills as next header with bullets of around 10-15 applicable skills such as ventilator management, Titration of vaso active drips, cardiac drips, conscious sedation administration and management ect. Then last header is References and I usually put four. That’s it short sweet to the point and easy on the eyes. Otherwise if it continues to be a roadblock getting the interview, definitely try staffing or travel agency they are always looking for talent, and you don’t have to travel outside of your community unless you want to!!! Good luck happy hunting!

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

On 7/1/2019 at 10:57 AM, Forest2 said:

The above is a great thing to add into a cover letter, maybe reword it, and mention your experience as well. I hope you find a way if that is what you want. Good luck.

Yes! I was just going to say that you need to make sure you have the best cover letter ever. Explain yourself, make sure it is readable and engaging and highlights you as an individual. And equally important, keep it short and sweet. Half a page. Otherwise no one is likely to do more than skim it.

Also, ill reiterate the previous posters because it is worth repeating- network. I admit that is easier said than done, of course. But you want to be a known entity, not a faceless online applicant among thousands. Otherwise there is a high likelihood your application will be automatically dismissed based on a computer algorithm, without anyone ever laying eyes on it.