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Discussion

Need Advice

So. . . I'm currently a nursing student going into my 4th semester in an associate degree program. I've got a great GPA, I'm a peer tutor, and I don't think graduation is going to be an issue at this point. I'm also a nursing assistant at a hospital seeking magnate status.

Apparently there is going to be a new policy where i work that will start to be enforced starting in 2015 where any Nursing Assistants who graduate from an associate degree program will have to be let go after obtaining their Licences due to the fact that they only hire BSN applicants and see nursing assistants working with a licence to be an RN as a liability issue. I'm not going to go into whether working as a NA with a licence to be an RN actually IS liability issue, this is what I have to deal with and I have to plan accordingly. . .

My first reaction to this was to seek employment elsewhere as a nursing assistant. I had a interview at another local hospital that DOES hire Associate Degree Nurses, but unfortunately they chose another applicant for the position.

So at this point I'm looking at being unemployed after graduating from nursing school with honors and two years of experience as a nursing assistant at an acute care facility. . .

I'm going to be pursuing my BSN immediately upon graduation, this way I can defer student loan payments and have that on my resume which will hopefully make me a more appealing applicant. I have to say though my outlook isn't looking to good. Any advice on how to protect my own interest in this case? The bills need to be paid obviously.

I'm currently a NY resident, and I've looked into the 599 unemployment program. . . it seems like the fact that I'll be pursuing my BSN through an online program might complicate things a bit with this.

Any other advice? I'm sure other people have been in my shoes at some point. Ive heard working at a nursing home makes my resume more undesirable to prospective acute care employers then if I had just stayed unemployed. . . As you guys can imagine these circumstances are pretty disheartening for me! Kind of upset that I made all these sacrifices and I'll have not much to show for it upon graduation . . . thanks.

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    • Expert
    Any other advice?
    I don't know where you are in NY, but you may want to consider relocating upstate after you pass NCLEX. Work at a small town community hospital for a year or two while you complete your BSN degree, then return to where you live.

    Your marketability will skyrocket with a BSN degree and a couple of years of acute care hospital experience. However, not everyone is willing to make the sacrifices or changes that relocation entails. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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    Unfortunately, This is becoming more common in NY as well as many other locations. I think that it may be helpful to try to transition to home care, ambulatory clinics (especially if you have phlebotomy and EKG experience), or even private duty. Depending on your ability to relocate, you may be able to find a job elsewhere as well. Another option may be to try to ride it out. Also, depending where you are in NY, you may be able to find a position in NJ, CT, PA...

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    • Author

    Thanks for the advice. I'm currently a Hudson Valley resident. I'm actually half way between NYC and Albany. Jobs in upstate NY aren't as plentiful as some would have you believe on these forums. The hospital where I currently do my clinicals is scheduled to be closing in the next year or two. A lot of the hospitals south of me are moving towards hiring BSN applicants only, including where I'm currently at. The job market in Albany seems alright, but I do draw the line at flex scheduling which seems to be what Albany Medical Center is mainly hiring for new grads.. I don't care if I start at $19 an hour, but at least let me work only nights or only days. . . There are several other hospitals that I'd like to look into, but a lot of hospitals up there hire BSN only as well. I actually graduated from high school in syracuse, and a lot of hospitals out that way only hire BSN as well.

    From what I hear LTC on your resume pretty much equals a death sentence when seeking employment in acute care. I've been told by several individuals where I work, both in management and new recent grads to hold out for acute care and not go into home care/LTC as it makes your resume look worse then a new grad.

    I'd consider working at a corrections facility or at some sort of clinic. I'm willing to move anywhere in the northeast, and I'm definitely interested in looking at facilities in PA. I'm really in the dark as far as what the job market is in PA, so thats definitely advice I'm going to follow up on!

    Good luck to anyone else whose in my shoes in the area! I wish everyone the best of luck!

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