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Discussion

Off track... getting further away from what I want to do

Before nursing school, I knew I wanted to work with Oncology Peds patients. As a GN, my first job was at a Children's Hospital where I worked in a mixed Med-surg and Hematology- Oncology Peds patients. I worked there for a little over a year. I got married and relocated. Finding a job has been a struggle especially in Peds. I finally got an interview on a Peds Onco floor, but did not get the job. However, I interviewed for an outpatient Pediatric Primary Care facility for same hospital and got the job! Of course, I accepted it because I can continue to work with Peds patients (start in a month). However, I feel like I am getting off track of becoming an Oncology nurse. I want to continue to work with Oncology Peds patients. After I accepted a job, they have an oncology outpatient job posted.

Is it true that you are less likely to get hired again at a hospital if you work at a primary care clinic? Should I ask the nurse recruiter if I can interview for the Oncology outpatient job after accepting a job already? Or would that make the nurse recruiter think I am indecisive?

I need some advice or words of encouragement. I feel like I am losing track of what I want with this awful job market and relocation. I am absolutely happy I get to continue working with Peds patients, but afraid I won't get back to Oncology because no one will want to hire a Peds Office nurse. I turned down a hospital full time adult med- surg job to take a part time Peds job to stay in Pediatrics. The nurse recruiter from that full time job told me that many hospitals will be reluctant to hire a nurse from an outpatient clinic.

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    If you inquire about the peds-oncology outpatient position, what's the worst that the recruiter could possibly say? "No." I would ask about the job posting anyway.

    However, beggars cannot be choosers in this slumping job market. Masses of nurses are working in areas and specialties where they really don't want to be since contributing to the household often takes precedence over your personal likes and dislikes. Good luck to you!

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    god bless you for wanting to do oncology, especially peds! it is not something i desire to do. i wanted er since before starting nursing school. i tried to be open minded as a student and as a new grad but my desire kept returning to the er, especially traumas. i got out med surg before my year as a new grad was up because i could not tolerate waiting any more. like you i felt i was getting off track.

    i do not know if being outpatient will ruin your chances later on given that you worked acute care prior to this new experience. also, outpatient oncology is related to inpatient oncology to some degree, right? therefore, i am more of the mind to give the same advice as the above poster. ask the nurse recruiter about the new job posting and go from there. plus, if you have a chance, talk to some outpatient oncology nurses you will be working with in the future. find out if any of them have gone back to acute care or are working pt in acute care at this time. gl!

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    Thank you for your advice!

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    You can ask, but most places hold onto applications for a year. Chances are if they were interested they would have called you already. I don't mean to be debbie downer but I don't want you to jepordize your new job in this tight job market.

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    Thank you for your thoughts.

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    You can ask, but most places hold onto applications for a year. Chances are if they were interested they would have called you already. I don't mean to be debbie downer but I don't want you to jepordize your new job in this tight job market.

    The job is posted for the same hospital I got hired at. I applied for the job I accepted, interviewed and got the job in 2 days. Then, their site notified me of the hematology-onco outpatient position because that was listed as my main interest: oncology. However, I accepted the other job not realizing that their will be a onco job opening up, and needing a job.

    I don't know what to do. Its a tough situation, however, you are right I don't want to jepordize my new job. At least I got my foot in the door of the hospital. I will just have to keep an eye out for another oncology position preferrably a Full Time position. I'm alright with a Part time right now but eventually would like a Full time job.

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    Foot in the door. Foot in the door. Foot in the door. :yeah:

    Keep on, keepin on. You are still a "newer" nurse and this is a marathon and not a sprint. It is a tough market. You want to work with peds and that is what you are doing. Kudo's. Continue your education via seminar/CE and such - and stay in contact with the NM in the "goal" department. Offer to get PRN there AFTER you settle in. Time passes quickly and I do not see this as OFF track. Maybe not your first choice, but DO A GREAT job and word will get around!

    Prove that you are a most excellent NURSE in any department and eventually, you will usually get you break! Peds oncology is a tough speciality with some turnover - it will happen. Really.

    Most all experience is good experince. Make the most of it!!

    Good LUCK!

    Practice SAFE!!

    ;)

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    Ditto what everyone else said.

    Take the job you have been offerred....a paycheck is important!

    That being said, I would also be in touch with the recruiter. Send email updates saying to the effect of "I am contacting you to express my continued interest in the open oncology position. I would appreciate any opportunity to work in the pediatric oncology department, as it is my true passion. I would be a great fit for that unit due to my enthusiasm for the field, xxxxxx and xxxxxx. "

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    • Author

    Thank you for your advice and encouragement.

    A paycheck really isn't my priority. Making a difference, and loving my job is what matters to me. I am a childhood cancer survivor, and I have learned that living is more valuable than money. If you have enough to live a simple life, its more than plenty. I know I will reach my goal in the near future. Until then, I will think of this new job as an adventure and take what I learn to my next!

    NREMT/P-RN, you are correct I got my foot in the door, and every experience just leads me to being an excellent nurse. Thank you! :)

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