My Nursing Journey

Published Nov 19, 2018

5 Posts

Hello All,

I have officially been working as a nurse for over one year now. I remember looking into allnurses for information during Nursing School, applying to jobs, and when looking into BSN information. I graduated with my ASN May 2017. I passed my boards in August. I started working as a nurse in October of 2017. A lot has happened since then.

Shortly after finding out I officially passed the boards (p.s. I did do the PV trick) I began applying. Unlike some, I did not know what specialty I wanted to get into. I knew I wanted to work at a hospital and get some acute care experience. I applied to many, if not all, of the hospitals within an hour drive from me. I didn't hear back. I even went as far as using linkden to look up names of nurse recruiters for the hospitals. I emailed them. I got some replies back stating to keep in touch and to let them know when I received my BSN. I decided to try other employers to gather some experience.

My first job was at a Sub-Acute Nursing facility. I worked part time over night. I did not want to work 5-8 hour shifts. I began with 4, then moved down to 3. It was pretty easy to get a job at the Sub Acute facility. They need nurses because they have a high RN turn over. It was a great introduction to nursing. This job that I had for 4 months, helped me gain confidence as a nurse. Because it was a Sub-Acute nursing facility I was able to administer IV meds and care for/assess IV sites. I did not start the IV's because I was not certified, and that was their policy. I also recieved experience with urinary catheters, wound care, medication passes, assessments. Those who worked during the day attained experience with admissions and discharges.

I kept an eye open on Indeed, looking for opportunities. I saw that there was a walk in interview at a hospital about 50 minutes from where I lived. I went to the walk in interview. The HR rep recognized my name from my emails or from my applications. She warned me that the floor managers may not want to hire me because I did not have experience. At this time I had started my BSN with WGU. This was in my favor as was already have some nursing experience. To my surprise and relief the Med Surg Supervisor agreed to interview me. The interview went well and was pleasant over all. My experience and my enrollment into a BSN program worked in my favor. I was left with a positive feeling. HR was in contact with me and a month and a half later I started my new job on the Med Surg unit, night shift.

I was on my own about 3 months after starting. I still was not super comfortable, but I knew the basics. I also knew who I could go to for help or answers to questions. I learned to use my resources. I was enjoying Med Surg, but the night shift was weighing on me. I lived 50 minutes away worked a 1230-13 hour shift, it all added up. My schedule was also spread out which made sleeping difficult. Because of all this I felt I needed to get a day job. For personal reason I knew the day shift at the hospital would not work for me because I would need certain weekends off. It would be too much for them to adjust, so I decided to apply else where. I applied to per diem positions at other hospitals, and other types of nursing jobs.

After 6 months of working Med Surg I found a job that would work for my schedule. Scheduling is very important to me because of other important responsibilities and goals I have. After I gave my resignation notice. I started to feel like I would miss the hospital. I was learning so much. I would miss the team I became a part of. I would miss acute care. I started feeling much more comfortable. The little things that made me nervous or anxious started fading. I left the hospital on good terms and with sufficient notice based on my union contract.

I started my new job. 3-8 hour shifts at a large medical center. This medical center has multiple specialties and multiple locations. The location I started working in was about 20-25 minutes from my house. I was a float nurse. I assisted with phone triage, scheduling, medications renewals, vaccinations, etc. Some days I would be assigned to work as a particular doctors nurse. These days are typically busier, which I enjoy. I slowly started feeling as though I missed being on the floor and being on my feet. I missed the excitement I used to feel. This is a personal feeling. And some tremendously enjoy working as an RN in an office. I do most times. But I also feel like I need to be back in acute care.

So after 3 months I started applying at hospitals. I applied to a per diem at the hospital I used to work in. I emailed HR and the floor manager. This was not the same as my old manager. I was able to interview for the position. They requested references, and now I am waiting to hear back. I also applied and interviewed at a hospital that is less than 15 minutes from me. I feel that interview went well too.

I am writing this because I want new grads to know that there is hope. There is hope that you will get hired at a hospital with an ASN. There is hope to still get interview even if all your jobs aren't the right fit.

My resume has 3 nursing jobs listed within the last year. But before this I worked for the same employer for 10 years. I also have good reasons for why I left my previous employers. These are all things to keep in mind.

Thanks for reading. :)