Need advice in career options

[JasminBen]

I have been a nurse for almost two years I recently finished my BSN this December. I have been having such a hard time finding a job which lead me to start working in a nursing home which was a nightmare when we were short staffed (I started working this job in June so I was still in school during this time). I honestly can say I have learned a lot in this place but everyday was so stressful, which turned me off to the idea of ever working in a hospital. I ended up quitting and decided to start looking at a place much more slow paced. I got a job at a plastic surgeons office. Very nice place, but I really don’t do much at all. It makes me feel like I am losing my knowledge as a nurse. Most days I sit there trying to find something to do (clean, read up on procedures, make copies of papers, literally anything). When we do have patients all I do is take vitals, turn over the rooms, (rarely) remove sutures, and take photos, I feel like a medical assistant.

So what I am asking for is advice; what are my options? Should I stay at this place for at least a year to get what little experience I can get or should I just quit? What is an career option where I am busy, but not to the point where I hate my job?

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

At this point, try to stick it out a year since you left your first job early (which I can't blame you for; I know how unbearable and unsafe it can feel working in LTC). You never know, once the heavy lifting and every-other-weekend/holiday schedule elsewhere gets to you, you might really appreciate the year experience and references you get from this outpatient office job when trying to return to the outpatient world.

In the meantime, study up on the procedures that are done in the office, even if you're not allowed to do them independently. Offer to assist the providers. Knock off your required CEUs or just study something that interests you. Or get a per diem job.

[Matthew RN, MSN]

Some of this is personal preference.

1) Don't quit a job until you have another one lined up. It is a lot easier and a lot less stressful to find a job while you are already employed. (I would consider this a life-long rule)

2) A short time at a job doesn't look great on a resume, however an adequate time at the job before and the job after will negate this.

3) As far as skills go, if you aren't using your nursing skills you will lose them unless you make considerable effort to refresh yourself.

4) Some hospital experience is beneficial for almost all nurses. There are some hospital jobs that aren't overly stressful.

5) You might consider moving to find the right job, if you can't find the right job in your area there are enough nursing jobs around the nation that you can find the right job somewhere else.