Bcpenpal

Thank you for offering some validation to my feelings. I certainly didnt mean to sound entitled as some have suggested on here....only frustrated with how difficult it is to get return phone calls, even talk to a recruiter or unit manager or get an invite for an interview. Then, I wait 2-3 weeks to hear "we've decided to pursue other applicants who more closely match our needs". I am in the Portland/Vanc area. I counted the number of jobs I've applied for both in Portland and Vanc. since completing my BSN. I've applied at clinics, the VA and various hospitals...around 35 applications total. I questioned that maybe I haven't gotten a job offer (after interviewing) due to my age, as I'm in my late 30s. I am trying to get a hospital job due to the 3/12s schedule...it works best for my family. I have done things like getting my ACLS certification and volunteer work to add to my resume. I KNOW I have A LOT to learn....homehealth is just the tip of the iceberg. I am a hard worker with strong work ethics, I've just gone through 4 years of schooling which should demonstrate that I'm able and willing to learn. Moving is not an option for me, due to family obligations and my husband's job.

Thank you for sharing your insight and thoughts. I understand that I have a lot to learn and I do see the value of having a preceptor. What I am having a hard time with is the 2 hour commute, 2 year contract for a lot less pay (than what my local hospitals offer). As a student nurse I learned there were 2 "routes" to getting into the hospital 1. Nurse residency programs 2. One year of nursing experience, completing a BSN, then starting in med/surg. I applied for a few residency programs as a new grad, but they are very competitive to get into and I was never contacted. So I went the 2nd route, working in home health and completing my BSN. Let us not discount homehealth as nursing experience....we still must use the nursing process, use critical thinking, make important judgements, use skills to provide a wide variety of care, and work with other care providers such as physicans and therapists. The experience I am lacking is managing care for multiple patients at a time, delegation and prioritization...and I am sure there is much more! As a new nurses I am willing and able to learn and grow with the help of experienced nurses as a valuable resource!

Definitely not turning up my nose at med/surg...I picked med/surg as my 1st option for the residency. I respect and value the knowledge, skills and hard work of floor nursing. I am "turning up my nose" at a 2 hour commute, 2 year contract, as well as much less pay than what is offered at 2 local hospitals closer to me.

Thank you for this feedback...I have found it the most helpful! I understand that I have a lot to learn on the floor and see the value of having a preceptor. As a student nurse I learned there were 2 "routes" to getting into the hospital, 1. Nurse residency programs 2. 1 year of nursing experience, getting a BSN, then starting in med/surg. I applied for a few residency programs as a new grad, but they are very competitive to get into and I was never contacted. So I went the 2nd route, working in home health and completing my BSN. Let us not discount homehealth as nursing experience....we still must use the nursing process, use critical thinking, make important judgements, use skills to provide a wide variety of care, and work with other care providers such as physicans and therapists. The experience I am lacking is managing care for multiple patients at a time, delegation and prioritization...and I am sure there is much more! As a new nurses I am willing to learn and grow with the help of experienced nurses as a valuable resource! Thank you again for sharing your insight.

I live/work in the Pacific Northwest where getting into hospital nursing is competitive. I graduated with my ADN in March 2018, got licensed and then employed as a pediatric home health nurse soon after. I have spent the past year working in home health and doing my Bachelor's degree. I have now been licensed for 16 mo., have over 1 year RN experience/employment and completed my BSN at the beginning of June (2019). I have applied for around 20 hospital jobs, 2 specialty internships/residencies, but mostly med/surg positions, 1 psych and 2 urgent care clinical jobs. I'm so frustrated. I have done 5 interviews but no job offers yet. Nothing "bad" happened in the interviews...like oh no, I just blew it. I have had friends who are nursing professionals look at my resume - they said it looks great. I am now being offered a 1 year med/surg residency, which involves classroom training etc. The organization - a smaller hospital - wants a 2 year empoyment contract. A nurse recruiter told me I'm not qualified to work in the hospital setting, "acute care" without going thru a residency. I'm confused - when did it change in nursing that our schooling and clinicals aren't enough? What happened to job orientation and being with a nurse preceptor for x amount of shifts to learn and grow into the role? Where can a new nurses gain the desired acute care experience outside the hospital setting? I would feel differently if this was a specialty unit or critical care, but we're talking med/surg, floor nursing. I just completed 4 years of nursing school, but that isnt enough....I must do a residency and sign a contract of employment committment for 2 yrs! The hospital is a one hour commute (requires leaving my residence at 4:45 a.m) and pay starts $7/hr less than 2 other larger hospitals closer to me. I have a family to care for so adding 2 hrs of driving to my work day (3/12s) is a lot. I am contemplating passing on the residency and getting a job in a SNF to gain more experience...maybe not getting into the larger hospitals closer to my home have to do with only having had one nursing job - in home health. Staying in home health is not an option; I'm incredibly bored and unchallenged, the pay sucks and often the work environment does also! Any suggestions, thoughts or tips on what I've shared are welcome! Thanks for letting me vent.