New Job! BUT..... It's not nursing :-/

[tmartin83]

Hi All!

So to explain my situation in a nutshell, I moved to HI 3 months ago (pretty much as a new-grad RN; I got 4 months of experience on a Med/Surg floor before my husband got stationed out here), and I just got a job in a hospital facility (at a clinic within the hospital). However, it's by no means a RN position...

I am actually a MSA (medical support assistant), and it's okay (better than not having a job at all!), but I'm trying to justify having this job. I currently work 0730 to 1600, and I will soon begin to work 0930 to 1800 Monday thru Friday at this clinic, so my days are pretty much gone (I just have Saturdays and Sundays off). The only patient interaction I get is scheduling, booking, and canceling patient appointments, along with checking patients into the clinic.

Obviously, this will never beat nursing, but I am really trying to find the best way to cope with it. Nursing runs through my veins, and I am dying to get back in. Reality is, however, that it may not happen with all that is going on here in HI (but I still have faith!). I guess my general questions are: What can I do in the meantime to keep my RN skills up, and is this a good job to have as a RN? Would you suggest another job in the meantime besides this that's related to nursing? How long can you be without a nursing position before the consequences become negative (meaning taking refresher courses, etc.)?

Thanks!!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Would you be open to out-of-hospital nursing positions such as home health, hospice, clinics, private duty, LTC facilities, and so forth? Since everyone and their mama seems to want to do acute care nursing in hospitals, you may wish to look where the rest of the pack fears to tread.

I've heard that Hawaii presents one of the most challenging nursing employment markets in the nation, so I truly feel for you. Good luck to you!

[KSGMaine, ASN]

Hi All!

So to explain my situation in a nutshell, I moved to HI 3 months ago (pretty much as a new-grad RN; I got 4 months of experience on a Med/Surg floor before my husband got stationed out here), and I just got a job in a hospital facility (at a clinic within the hospital). However, it's by no means a RN position...

I am actually a MSA (medical support assistant), and it's okay (better than not having a job at all!), but I'm trying to justify having this job. I currently work 0730 to 1600, and I will soon begin to work 0930 to 1800 Monday thru Friday at this clinic, so my days are pretty much gone (I just have Saturdays and Sundays off). The only patient interaction I get is scheduling, booking, and canceling patient appointments, along with checking patients into the clinic.

Obviously, this will never beat nursing, but I am really trying to find the best way to cope with it. Nursing runs through my veins, and I am dying to get back in. Reality is, however, that it may not happen with all that is going on here in HI (but I still have faith!). I guess my general questions are: What can I do in the meantime to keep my RN skills up, and is this a good job to have as a RN? Would you suggest another job in the meantime besides this that's related to nursing? How long can you be without a nursing position before the consequences become negative (meaning taking refresher courses, etc.)?

Thanks!!!

I'm surprised they are allowing you to work below your RN license, I know here in the states once I received my RN most places wouldn't let me work as a tech, cna, etc. I guess I would try other areas as someone else suggested - what about the military base, do they have a hospital, clinic, etc.? I'm from a 9-5 Monday thru Friday job, so I prefer to have my weekends off and be home when most people are! Good luck, I guess I would keep that job, but keep looking for an RN job if that is where your heart is.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Hawaii is begging for nurses. Obtain your Hawaii license (walk through state) and work in your licensed capacity!