Not enough hours r/t low census..what now?

[volsfan]

I had been working as an OB nurse @ a local hospital for over a year. Then I obtained my RN in May and they offered me a full time position. I took it as I love my work. However, our census has been low since then and I am not even working 4 shifts in a two week period.

I started applying to other jobs elsewhere b/c I have to work. It has been two months now and I am having no luck in finding something or even getting an interview. I think it is because it looks like I am job hopping or b/c I am a new graduate with little RN experience, but this is a situation I can't help. I can't even change departments in our hospital and I am gettig the feeling we are about to go under.

I am about to the point where I feel like I am going to have to settle for any job I can get instead of applying to jobs within the areas I am interested in, but I don't want to end up unhappy somewhere and then have to suck it up for several years b/c it really will look like I am job hopping.

Any suggestions.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

volsfan,

I am so sorry you are having to cope with call-offs due to low census. I'll bet that's a part of nursing 'reality' that school didn't prepare you for. It is an unfortunate fact of life in just about any acute care situation. Unless you are lucky enough to be funded through other means, our business is based on customer demand. The amount of labor dollars we is strictly based on patient census.

That being said - take care of yourself first. If your work situation has become unstable, go look for a better one. "Job hopping" is a fact of life in nursing. Many nurses jump from one hiring bonus to the next - but they don't seem to have any problems getting hired. Just be truthful when you apply for a new job. Everyone will understand if you are seeking a more reliable income.

FYI - you may be right about the financial health of your facility. Downturns in census are an early warning sign of a troubled hospital... along with things like running short of everyday supplies or being told to ration washcloths. Been there, done that.