New Grad Dilemna

[Southernbelle12]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site although I have been stalking it since I first received my license.

I need advice and I want you all to be BRUTALLY honest.

After I got my RN license, I got my first nursing job (at night). The conditions were horrible. On my 2nd day there, as soon as the nurse manager left, the pitbull came out of my preceptor. OMG, I was yelled at, bullied, belittled, and had to take care of 9 patients alone. 3 were paraplegic. Apparently the techs were in on it because every time I needed help to lift a patient, it took hours for anyone to come, if they came. I addressed this matter with my nurse manager but she was new to the job and didnt want to make enemies for herself. So I got the hell out of there. I held that job for 4 weeks.

Next job. This job was considered my DREAM JOB. I was there four months before I had to have emergency surgery. I had to resign my position because they needed me fulltime and I was going through all kinds of medical treatment and had a 1 year old child. So imagine my horror.

So now here I am. Wanting to return to work but noone will hire me. My dream job does not have any openings and my nurse manager said things have been pretty tight around there and as soon as she gets a position, it's mine. But I dont want to depend on that, because it may never happen.

It probably looks like I am a job hopper but Im actually not. I only held one nursing job that I hated and walked away from. I would love to get a prn or per diem job while my son is so young, but idk. I am so stressed that I am beginning to gain weight again.

Help!! I welcome any and all advice.

Oh BTW, while I have been off work, I enrolled in a BSN program. I will be done in March 14'

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Right now, most hospitals are in a 'hunker down' situation - waiting to see what is going to happen with the ACA. Inpatient volumes have dramatically decreased in most areas of the country. Major organizations (Cleveland Clinics, Vanderbilt, etc) are laying off large numbers of staff. So it is just a terrible time to be looking for work.

Looking for a PRN hospital job is probably the best option for you right now. It will prevent the dreaded "lapse of employment" from appearing on your resume. You can explain the FMLA (due to health reasons), but anything else is likely to raise a red flag. Apply for PRN jobs, sign up with a PRN agency - anything that is associated with acute care work.

Best wishes on your job hunt & BSN completion.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Does the place where your dream job is offer prn/float pool jobs? They might not be optimal but they'll keep the money coming in, fill that gap in the resume, and may even count for seniority when that other position comes open.

Definitely finish the BSN! That will help too. Network, network, network while you are in your BSN clinicals, too. Never pass up an opportunity of any kind.