New Grad need Advice

[koni01]

Hi guys,

I would really appreciate advice from anyone and everyone because I'm stumped right now. I just graduated this summer and passed the NCLEX. However I have not been registered yet still waiting for the letter. So really I've been trying to secretly pass time trying to avoid searching for jobs yet. A little bit of background about is that I considered quitting nursing school so many time because I always thought I was not cut out for it since I became so anxious and depressed with all the with all the bad preceptors I've had and bad experiences. Long story short, I am not a confident person at all and I don't think I will survive in any hospital position. Whenever we had clinical rotations outside the hospital my heart would be at rest but at the hospital it was always as I was carrying a boulder on my shoulder because I took nursing seriously so I wouldn't endanger anyone's lives. BUT another thing is really the speed. I dunno if I can handle the fast speed in the hospital rather than another job in LTC or a clinic job for example. However EVERYONE seems to encourage going to a hospital is a better option (And I know in my head it tells me to apply to hospital jobs but my heart says otherwise that I'd be just wasting time and putting my health in danger). Another thing is that there is only one hospital in my city and they almost never high new grad without connections (mostly internal hiring). So if I were to apply to a hospital it would take me minimum 2 hours to get there (because I bus for reasons I am not able to drive yet). While nursing homes seem to be hiring every so often due to many people leaving for their nursing hospital dream job I suppose. Anyways my dad in particular won't even hear from me when I say I don't want to work in the hospital he's not the one who is going to be working anyways it will be me who will have to suffer. Anyways I just want a job that can support my daily life and pay of my school debts. I'm still fairly young in very early 20s and unfortunate to say I don't dream big enough to want to be that ICU or ER nurse, it's just not my thing. However people keep saying you need foundation and fundamentals and you can only get it from acute care in hospitals.. but the thing is I dunno I never can see myself working in the hospital without crying every other day at best.

Sorry for the long post/rant. I honestly really want people's feedback on this. I don't have a problem talking to or taking care of people. The way I see it is the problem lies within my character, I get hurt too easily and I'm generally slow paced person (but let's not to put that on my resume). I know not everyone is going to be nice even outside the hospital but according to my past experience I could handle the stress better outside the hospital than inside. Transportation is another issue with the hospital because commuting there for 2 hours to and fro in a job I would hate is like a topping to torture. Now I have never worked as an RN in a hospital asides from being a student nurse in many acute floors like med/surg and really I already got panic attacks as a student I got insomnia and many many other stupid things like panic attacks. I don't want to endanger my health but I don't want to throw out a possibly good step into a decent career.

Any thoughts or advices are appreciated!

[Natasha, RN, BSN]

Unfortunately, I have found that most jobs outside of the hospital require a year or two IN the hospital so you can get that bedside experience and a sound foundation. That doesn't mean it's not possible to start outside of a hospital, but perhaps a bit more challenging. If you are willing to work nightshift, the pace is a bit less hectic. I have worked both day and nightshifts, and currently working nightshifts now. I LOVE IT. The work is steady, (usually) less chaotic, and your nursing peers really do become your family (as they should on dayshift, but in my experience it has been tougher to do). I have seen plenty of new grads flourish on nights as there is (usually) a bit more time to learn, as during the day there are admits, discharges, doctors and other staff, and other various continual disruptions. Both day and nightshifts have their pros and cons; perhaps a little research to see if nightshift may be for you. Good luck :)

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Is relocation not an option? I would look into nurse residency programs.

[xxdiscoxxheaven]

How about a clinic, doctors office, or adult day care type option?

[RAIC17]

Sorry you left me a PM message but I am unable to communicate through those. Anyways to answer your question I believe you need to have 2 years experience in LTC as well as have some experience with RAI-MDS as well before taking on a coordinator position. It was very difficult to get the job as many place require you to already be a coordinator. I found my job though a coworker whose other facility she worked at required a coordinator to cover the last part of a mat leave. It was a good start as it was a very small home. After the contract ended another job presented itself in the form if a Restorative coordinator with backup RAI coordinator responsibilities at another facility. Keep trying to find a job it will take time, build up skills in anyway possible. I also have a diploma in Health Informatics (healthcare meets tech/IT).

[scubanurse2000]

Hi, you left me a PM message, but for some reason, I am not able to send one back. You asked me what kind of jobs I have had since I decided not to take the hospital route. I began with agencies such as Maxim and Brightstar and tried different assignments including health fairs, flu clinics, short term school nursing, disability claims handling, etc. I then landed a job at a major university as a nurse research assistant. After 10 months I was hired as a clinical trials nurse for a medical device company and just moved into their clinical study coordinator position. It is not traditional nursing, but I really like working with both the company and the subjects. I still use my nursing skills such as assessments, patient advocacy and I give feedback on new protocols in regards to safety. I make around the same as a beginning floor nurse and no weekends, nights or holidays! My next step is to begin volunteering at a facility in order to get my "patient fix" and to practice some more of the hands-on nursing skills. Best of luck to you, there are many roads in nursing, I hope you find the one that makes you happy!