overcoming comfort zone

[Ms.RN]

hi

i recently had a job interview and it didn't go well. i think one of the reason is because i was just too scared to work in the hospital setting. i worked in ltc facilities as lpn for 3 years and i graduated from rn program in may of last year, but i'm still working in ltc facility since i graduated. i'm very comfortable working in the long term care and i probably can work in any facilities. when i went to interview, the thought of taking care of really sick patients in the hospital setting, patients who had surgeries, patients who have cardiac monitors really scared me.

i think the interviewer felt how scared i was because i was being too frank with interviewer by telling her that i dont have lot of experience with starting an iv and that i had hard time finding a job because i was new grad and i didnt have any experience. i also let her know i'm not willing to give up my current job at nursing home because even if she hires me doesnt mean i'm going to make it to the probation period and end up being let go of during probation period.

part of me wants to have experience in med/surg but i'm just so scared of working in the hospital. how can i overcome my fear and overcome my comfort zone? any advice?

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Ya---probably not a good idea to say in an interview that you probably wont make it out of the probationary period!!! poor thing, you must have been a nervous wreck...OK chalk that one up to a learning exp on interviews!!!

Ask about doing a job shadow. Spend a day or two if you can following a med surg nurse to see what their day is really like. Hopefully you will see team work to know that your not totally alone out there. Know that no you probably wont be able to start an IV the 1st time or even the 5th time. No one will expect you to. Know though that with practice you will.

Then think about all the great things you bring to the table. Multi tasking. Assesing. LTC=huge patient load!!! LTC also equals having to modify. Let me guess your also probably used to working in a facility that is understaffed? You also are good with working with families and I am guessing your not afraid of a dying patient.

If your still afraid to jump into a new world so quickly, see if you can get a job in the extended care unit of the hospital. Then from there transfer over to med surge.

Best of luck~~~~ You have worked hard, and any hospital would be lucky to have you. When I think of LTC exp I think of a hard worker. Show them that during the interview.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

couple bits of advice from someone that was in the very same boat!

1. I agree to ask for a shadow, but lately many hospitals will not do this anymore because of patient confidentiality. So good luck with this one, cause it really is a great way to be re-introduced!

2. Many hospitals provide a program for new hires a few times a year for either re-entry RN's that are comming back to hospital, or newer grads (most larger ones anyway). So ask if they have a re-entry RN program! I went to one and it was a breath of fresh air! My mind was cycling through way too much fear and tasks that I frankly don't have to do. Nicer when you know what you will be ACTUALLY be doing vs what your brain will conger up! :)

3. Go agency and test out the waters! That way you can choose your arenas on a day to day basis! You can start out doing maybe one day in hospital and others in SNF or whatever till you are comfortable. I like the flexiblity in agency given if you live in an area that has a variety of opportunity. This is actually what I did after 5 years in geriatrics and developmentally disabled adult...I did just fine! And if I didn't want to work in a certain hospital or setting...I set the rules!

I actually got a job with one of the best hospitals (for me, fit me like a glove) after doing a year agency there! Now I have a full time job in med/surge and love it! (and I didn't think I would ever love med/surge after school was done...LOL!).

4. Look for re-entry classes for RN's at your local community colleges! We have many in my area, and specific courses too for RN's that want a brush up on skills they haven't used for a while. Typcially these are a weekend class, don't cost much...and you are surounded by other RN's in the same place you are! Nice to know you aren't alone!

Good luck to you! I have used all of the above tactics in my 8 years of nursing, and they have served me very well. Now my confidence is higher because I took a very active roll in my OWN career by seeking out education and opportunities! And better yet...helping folks to find their ways too! (which is my favorite part!).

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Oh an as far as interviews. Say nothing negative at all! If something comes up where a negative may be in there a bit, practice your 'turn around'...which is a positive phrase directly afterwards so that in that particular question/comment the last thing heard was a positive! Just takes some practice...but it really does work very well!

For instance, say I haven't done IV in forever...and the interviewer asks me..."we do our own IV starts on the floor, are you comfortable with that?" Okay truth be told...that is a two part question! One...finding out your ability for IV, and two your comfort level in taking on tasks that are new or need refreshing which will point out your overall willingness to work...tricky huh?!?!?

SOOOO...I would respond "I haven't had very much opportunity to start IV's this last year or so, however...I am eager to take on this opportunity as part of being a good team player in this facility! In fact, do you have a suggestion on classes I can take to enhance this skill through your facility?" (note the positive spin, and another extra comment on your willingness to REALLY take this task on...you will look like a go getter instead of fearful and unsure :) ).

Also, don't forget to have a resume, and send a thank you card with 1-3 positive parts of discussion in the interview included! I have landed all of my jobs because I did a thank you card! IT WORKS...and sets you in their minds over others that didn't!

[oramar]

Think of that interview as a learning experience. Use it to figure out what you will say and not say the next time.

[lucky1RN]

The fact that we all have our comfort zones is sooo true. I've read about the hardships LTC nurses face on these forums. I picture you taking care of a kazilion patients with demanding families and absent docs. That kind of work terrifies me! I'm very comfortable taking care of my 2-3 sick ICU patients with their vents and monitors. I don't even like floating to the floor and having to juggle 6-8 patients plus admissions and discharges because I can't get rid of my ICU mentality where I want to know everything about every patient.

Anyway, I'm sure you have developed hugely marketable skills in your years of experience. If you really want med-surg experience, take a position that will give you a new grad orientation. Certainly you can make it through that. Even if you find you don't like hospital work, couldn't you just take another LTC positition?

Good luck!