Please tell me things will get better!

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I graduated with my BSN in December 2009 and passed the NCLEX March 2010. I got hired at a huge Detroit hospital 1 week after I passed the NCLEX, the first job I applied/interviewed for. I was so happy that I thought I was dreaming...then I got a call about a half an hour later saying that they were rescinding the offer due to my criminal background results. I was charged with 3 felonies in May 2006, all dismissed. I am not eligible for expungemnet because I have 2 misdemeanors as a result of this incident: Leaving the scene of an injury accident and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The hospital knew about the misedemeanors when they offered me the job. I spoke to two lawyers about this situation and they said that there is nothing anyone can do because theoretically the charges should not prevent me from being employed.

Fast forward one year: I got a job working as a Public Health Nurse for the county, primarily with the Maternal Infant Health Program. I have been working here since April 2010 and I absolutely hate my job. I don't even feel like a nurse, all I do is weigh babies and help Moms get baby supplies. I am searching high and low for another job that will offer me more clinical experience. My morale has wasted away to nothing and it is reflected in my work. I cry alot because I feel so trapped and hopeless. I will do almost anything other than what I'm doing now....home health, nursing home, sub-acute. I just want to practice NURSING and build my skills :crying2: It has to get better right???

Hello, I would just like to say I feel your frustration. I live in the metro Detroit area and graduated December 2009 with my BSN. I got licensed in march 2010. My first job was in the ICU of a busy Detroit hospital. I found myself back in computer training (which I didn't mind), but when it came to working the floor it seemed as if no one wanted to train me. My preceptor told me from the beginning "I don't know why they hire new grads, you don't know what you are doing". Well I found this situation highly upsetting and my anxiety took over. I was asked to do procedures I had never done performed before without any instruction or supervision. When I would ask a question regarding patient care it seemed as if I was such a burden and I was made to feel like a fool. It was totally demoralizing. Needless to say it did not work out. I did approach the preceptor and told her what I was feeling and what I needed from her but all I got in response was she wasn't going to hold my hand. The reason for my response to your post is that your job seems like a dream to me. I have a great interest in providing care to new mothers and infants. I did my senior year on the mother/baby unit and absolutely loved it. I am starting to think heavy duty clinical nursing might not be for me. I would love more info on how you applied, how I might be successful in pursuing a job like yours. I appreciate your time and I am anxious to hear back from you. Good luck in your quest to find the right fit. I know people say be happy to have a job and lord knows I had many sleepless nights over giving up on my ICU job, but I was physically ill going there and trying to work with and around my preceptor. I pray that I will stay strong and eventually the right position for me will come along, because ultimately I want to be a successful nurse.

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Specializes in Clinicals.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could have swapped jobs?? :) My community health clinical instructor helped me get my job...I didn't actually apply. BUT, I did just see a job posting on craigslist the other day for another Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP). Try it out, it may be a perfect fit!

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Thank you. I will check it out.

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Hello, I would just like to say I feel your frustration. I live in the metro Detroit area and graduated December 2009 with my BSN. I got licensed in march 2010. My first job was in the ICU of a busy Detroit hospital. I found myself back in computer training (which I didn't mind), but when it came to working the floor it seemed as if no one wanted to train me. My preceptor told me from the beginning "I don't know why they hire new grads, you don't know what you are doing". Well I found this situation highly upsetting and my anxiety took over. I was asked to do procedures I had never done performed before without any instruction or supervision. When I would ask a question regarding patient care it seemed as if I was such a burden and I was made to feel like a fool. It was totally demoralizing. Needless to say it did not work out. I did approach the preceptor and told her what I was feeling and what I needed from her but all I got in response was she wasn't going to hold my hand. The reason for my response to your post is that your job seems like a dream to me. I have a great interest in providing care to new mothers and infants. I did my senior year on the mother/baby unit and absolutely loved it. I am starting to think heavy duty clinical nursing might not be for me. I would love more info on how you applied, how I might be successful in pursuing a job like yours. I appreciate your time and I am anxious to hear back from you. Good luck in your quest to find the right fit. I know people say be happy to have a job and lord knows I had many sleepless nights over giving up on my ICU job, but I was physically ill going there and trying to work with and around my preceptor. I pray that I will stay strong and eventually the right position for me will come along, because ultimately I want to be a successful nurse.

That preceptor you were assigned to was as we say in the old school...."eating her young". Shame on him/her. Nursing needs new grads. Don't ever be apologetic as a new grad. We all had to learn sometime. As I always say, "...we have all been the new nurse on the block...".

About working with old criminal records, I wish health care facilities were more sympathetic about that. It depends on the facility. I like what the poster said about writing "ASK ME" in the space by criminal convictions. :yeah: Makes good sense to me. :nurse: Good luck and God Bless! :up:

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Thank you very much for the encouragement. I am happy with my accomplishments of graduating and getting licensed. Now I just need to be persistent in looking for an employer that is willing to hire and train new grads. :)

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Just curious.... so you were charged with these crimes, then they were dismissed? or just reduced from felonies to misdemenors and you were convicted of the misdemenors?

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