New grad, no job, SO confused

[momma2rn]

This may be a long post, so if you are reading, bear with me..

I was a medical transcriptionist before I went into nursing. I LOVE science, especially physiology and anatomy. I did well all through college, good grades, and graduated 12/12. I applied at a nursing home right out of school and got the job. I passed boards first time around and enjoyed my job- for all of about 4 months. I personally believe I had a less than stellar experience with my first job. There was very, very little training- I got stuck with LPNs who were too busy to really train me on the computer system, policies, basically the whole shebang. So, I eventually got the hang of all of it and cruised there for about a month. Of course, once you have been working with people for a while the true colors begin to come out. From what I saw and noticed, the LPNs had a strong dislike for the RNs for a number of reasons- example: they didn't like that they had to ask RNs to start IV meds or do flushes for PICC lines because they felt it diminished their worth or some nonsense, and of course since we as RNs are certified for that, they disliked us for it. Anyway. I had been dealing with a ton of bs for the last month I worked there, such as one LPN saying that I get RN pay to sit around and do nothing. This was a day that I happened to be an extra and was assisting with EVERYTHING on each hall, right down to doing CNA work, feeding residents, helping out the various halls with dressing changes, etc. The straw that broke the camels back was when I was waiting to be relieved at 11 and my relief never showed up (they are habitually late so I really didnt think much of it). I called her and she said she called in earlier at 6 pm. Now, there is 1 station that is set up to be the 'charge nurse' station, and an LPN is primary there. I went to her right then and asked her if she knew that my relief called off (she takes the call offs since she is CN). She said she knew. I asked her why she didnt tell me, and she stated, and I quote, she didn't 'feel like I needed to know.' If that isn't the biggest load of crap, I don't know what is. To me, that place felt like the cattiest, unorganized mess of a nursing home I have ever been in. Not to mention the administrator was walked off site and fired due to sexual misconduct a few days after I quit. I had brought all of these issue to the DON multiple times to be told that I needed to just deal with it.

My issue is now this: I have not been able to get so much as a call back for any job I have applied for. I cannot work night shift because I have 2 small children at home and a husband working thirds (4p to 630a) and have no one to care for them. I will not hire a babysitter to sit with them at night- makes me way too nervous. I am down to putting in applications to grocery stores. This turn of events has made me think about changing careers to HIM. I am actually in school right now for my bachelor's degree and am ready to quit because I am so discouraged. Am I just wasting money on this expensive BSN since I cant even get a job? Any insight from people who have been there & done that is appreciated.

I cannot work night shift

I'm sure you realize, but your choice to take only day-shift positions probably eliminates you from >75% of the positions that you might be able to get in an already challenging job market.

[momma2rn]

I do understand that, and I realize it is part of the reason I am having a difficult time. But, it isn't a choice at this point in time.

[opdahlamber]

My husband and I have this discussion. Our decision thus far is as follows: I make more money than him. He finds a job that works around my schedule. Or he doesn't and stays home to be Mr. Mom. He didn't go to school for 6 years to be able to do a job that he absolutely adores. Therefore, my schedule trumps his. See if your husband can maybe tweak his schedule. Will he work with you so that you can fufill your dreams? Seriously, nursing was important enough to you to go thru nursing school (aka HELL). Asking the person who loves you more than anyone else to make a sacrifice is NOT unfair or wrong. Talk to him. And btw, night shift rocks socks. And yes, I love it even with a child.. that way, your child gets the best part of your day, the most energy from you; instead of the leftovers.

[momma2rn]

We've talked about it. He will still make more money than me even when I get a job and have been working for a while; he is a higher up at a nuke plant and has been there for 7 years. My schedule will have to revolve around his, which is hard in nursing. He also gets a lot of OT, and if he has to go in to work on a day that I work as well, that poses another problem. Sometimes we don't know he will be called in, it is just out of the blue. He always goes in when he is called, though, because he wants to advance higher and doesn't want to do anything that could even remotely risk him losing his position in this economy.

That's another thing that makes this so mentally difficult to deal with, that I went through absolute hell in nursing school. I didn't get ******* at by teachers and drag my butt out of bed at 4 am for nothing.

This is why I was hoping to be able to secure a position for day shift, at least for now. That way, I can continue on with building my experience without having to worry about him losing his job, and I'll be able to spend most of my free time with the kiddos (at least during the school year). I am very willing to take a per diem position or part time. There's just no openings around here for that as of now.