New RN needs advice

kesr · Nov 28, 2010

In most cases, it will be easier to transfer when positions in other departments are posted, than it would be to get in from the outside. At least you will have an edge, make lots of contacts and have a good reputation.

EmergencyNrse · Nov 28, 2010

I think that if you wanted to be in a different part of the facility then you should have applied for the other positions. You JUST landed the full time gig @ the SNF...

So you got your foot in the door. Great.

They're gonna want you to carry out the tasks they hired you to do. What you're doing is essentially why no one wants to hire new grads. No dedication.

Not just pointing the finger at you...

We hire you in positions that your heart's not into doing. You give mediocre performance at best. (Usually cying about how hard you have it). Most of you just a token of service...Grab a little experience and you're GONE...

It's wrong.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 28, 2010

Congratulations on your new position! You will need to fulfill 6 months (in most facilities) Then u will be able to watch the postings for the hospital and apply for those positions. Try to identify what areas you enjoy and are good at... learn from your first position, then go for it! Good luck! :yeah:

gymnut · Nov 28, 2010

I think that if you wanted to be in a different part of the facility then you should have applied for the other positions. You JUST landed the full time gig @ the SNF...
So you got your foot in the door. Great.
They're gonna want you to carry out the tasks they hired you to do. What you're doing is essentially why no one wants to hire new grads. No dedication.
Not just pointing the finger at you...
We hire you in positions that your heart's not into doing. You give mediocre performance at best. (Usually cying about how hard you have it). Most of you just a token of service...Grab a little experience and you're GONE...
It's wrong.

It sounds like you have had some bad encounters with new grads and I'm sorry for that however I don't think it has to do with dedication so much as the market is terrible and any one in any field will grab anything they can get. If every new grad just sat around and waited for their dream job to open up unemployment would be more ridiculous than it is now.

Maybe the OP did apply to other areas of the facility and was rejected and as a last resort applied to the SNF. Sure it may not be their dream job but, it would be pretty ignorant to turn down a full time position and an opportunity to gain much needed experience in times like these.

Also it could have been a first choice for OP but, once they started working found out that it was a toxic environment and now wants to leave.

Marie13 · Nov 28, 2010

I have finally found a full time RN position. It is in a SNF,which is attached to a hospital, I would like to know how hard would it be to get a position in other departments in the hospital??

Congrats! I have some relatives that work at acute hospitals ( I work at a SNF), and they say it's good once you got your foot in the door. I'm sure you will be able to move around as long as you tell them that you would like to move to different floors to gain experience. :yeah:

lemRN · Nov 28, 2010

I shouldn't be to hard to get a job. if you wanna, just start out PRN, then if you like it, go full time and do PRN at the snf. there are ALWAYS ways around everything.

BettyBoop01 · Nov 28, 2010

Go for it. You might get to float and if you do you can meet people and see what area you might like. Dont let anyone (even on this thread) make you feel guilty about what you are doing. The hospital would use you in a second, why not use them back? You need to look out for you and in this market whatever gets you in the door is what you need to do. You might like the snf, if not, you need to go in make nice do your best while you are there and get stellar reviews. Make connections and transfer when something opens up. Its not called a "lack of dedication" it is called "working your way up".

April, RN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2010

It should be easier to get positions on other units now that you work within the system and will be an internal applicant. I would put in at least a year at your current position to show you are a loyal, dependable employee when you start applying elsewhere. The SNF may not be what you want, but make the most of your time there. Work hard and make contacts. Seek out as many new skills, equipment, and diagnoses as you can to maximize your experience. If you are merely counting down the days until you can move on, it will show.

Congrats on the job!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 29, 2010

why not keep an open mind about the job you have? you might decide it's what you want to do after all. at the very least, a new grad should stay a year in their first job. the snf took a chance on you, hired you and will have to train you. they should get something back rather than have you jump ship at the first opportunity.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2010

I think it is a good idea if you can try to put in a year and a half to two years. As a former hiring manager before I came to nursing, most employers do not look favourably upon people who frequently leave jobs. Unless of course, there is a valid reason.

regularRN · Nov 29, 2010

Congratulations! Working as an RN in a SNF is very rewarding! Who knows, with experience, this may be your chosen specialty.

The fact that the SNF is affiliated with an acute hospital gives you an edge in the future to apply for internal/external job postings (say, after a year or two). You will have an invaluable knowledge of the company's values and goals, and your ability and track record will be a known entity.

I currently work "acute" but have also worked in SNFs in the past; some of the RNs I work with now are SNF transplants. Both have been rewarding.

In the current market where new grads are finding it impossible to get a job, you have be fortunate to be offered employment. Embrace the challenge! Once you have experience, many doors will open.