Pigeonholed Wound Care

[syronrs14, ADN, BSN]

Hello,

I have been a nurse for 5 years now, with 4 of those 5 in wound care. I am currently working PRN as a wound care nurse and although I really like wound care, I feel that I am missing out on the experience on the floor, therefore I have decided to give the floor a try. I have applied to several positions (tele, med-surg, pre op, pacu, endo, oncology, ER...and even case management) with no luck. Now I am really regretting going directly into a specialty straight out of nursing school, but that was what was offered to me at the time. I feel like I have been pigeonholed and do not have a chance in getting a position out of wound care.

I guess my question would be, how can I make myself marketable (I know experience, but how do I get that if nobody gives me a chance)? How can I increase my chances of getting a job offer?

Thank you....

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Wound care is so cool!!

But are there certifications or courses you could take to make you more marketable (ACLS comes to mind and there may be more).

There are areas of the country where HR can be a lot pickier about who they hire. You may live in one of those areas. Can you move?

Best of luck!

[syronrs14, ADN, BSN]

I know...I really like wound care but I feel like I am lacking or missing out on something by not doing floor nursing. I do have my ACLS. I also think I would like to do some travel nursing in the future when my daughter is old enough to be on her own, that is why I need to get that floor experience. Right now moving is not really an option.

Thank you Ruby Jane for your input, really appreciate it :))

[Kitiger, RN]

Would you enjoy home nursing? It could start with going to the home to do wound care, and then maybe you could branch out into other types of visits.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

You will have to keep hammering away at it. Look for job openings for residencies that specify they are open to experienced nurses looking to change specialties as well as new grads. Of course, you will need to be prepared to take a pay cut. Look for med-surg, telemetry and stepdown mostly. They will be more receptive to you than critical care.

Look at hospitals that are in a more rural community and a bit of a commute. You may find more responsiveness there. Also talk to travel agencies. I would think wound care would have a shot at getting to travel on its own merit.

[ThinkerBelleRN, BSN, RN]

If only we can switch jobs. I have been doing wound care overseas 4 years of my 8 years as a RN. Moving to the US, I wasnt given an option to purusue wound because it turned out they needed more people on the floors. I am currently working on the floor but would really want to go back to wound care. I have been applying everywhere but no luck. I would like to think it is easier to get a job on the floor, as many hospitals are short staffed with high turnover rates in med-surg and other inpatient units. Keep applying, I hope we get to practice our passion.