Nurse transition to hospital from a LTC facility

[staten]

I am a new grad nurse in Houston, TX and I have just been told that it is difficult to get a job in a hospital once you have worked as a LTC nurse. I have just been offered a job in a LTC facility and am considering declining it for that reason. Because my true plans are to work in a hospital and I don't want to jeopardize that.

Please what have you seen happen out there? Is this true? What advise do you have for me?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Decline the LTC position at your own risk. If you are willing to risk being unemployed for possibly a year or longer, feel free to decline this job. However, from personal experience I can tell you that it is easier to get a job when you have a job.

My background is in LTC, but I am working at a specialty hospital because I was able to market my nursing home experience to make it meaningful. LTC nurses dress complicated wounds, administer IV therapy, give cardioactive medications, assess patients, and must manage their time more succinctly than their counterparts who work at hospitals.

By the way, I am also in Texas. In your city of residence, having a BSN degree is the biggest factor in whether you'll be able to quickly secure hospital employment.

[staten]

TheCommuter,

Thank you very much for your prompt and candid response! I appreciate it.