naalje

Hi, I'm sure my story is similar to so many others... I am a newer unemployed nurse having an extremely difficult time finding a job. I was working in a med-surg unit for about a year. I was feeling so physically and emotionally drained that I finally decided to give my notice and try to find a job in a different setting. I really want to work in either in a different department or out of the hospital all together. But I have found that most positions require prior experience in that area. How does one get that experience? Am I missing something? I thought that with one year's experience I would be challenged to find work in a different setting but still able to find a job in med-surg if it came down to it. I haven't worked now for about 7 months. I am at a point where I feel intimidated to even step back into the hospital without some form of training to get me back into the groove of things. I apply to every and any position that I meet the minimum requirements for, but don't even get a phone call for an interview. Any advice?? Thanks so much for any insight

I agree that staying late does not make a good impression to management. I am extremely disappointed that it is accepted for nurses to clock out and have to finish their charting unpaid because they do not want to get in trouble (luckily this is not the case where I work). I stay 1-2 hours late every shift and sometimes with absolutely no break. I think I am the only nurse on my floor who consistently stays late every single shift. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It is absolutely exhausting, especially after working sometimes 15 hours and to have to go back the next morning. But I cannot seem to figure out how to improve. It is comforting to know that I am not alone. But I know that I cannot keep this up. Does anyone have any suggestions to improving the time management? What ARE the tricks to getting out on time??

It sounds like there is no nurse job that is immune to stress. I'm not looking for a stress free job, because I know that doesn't exist, and would probably become boring, but I am looking for something different than the insanity that is med-surg....getting simultaneously called by a doctor, paged to a patient's room, questioned by family member, new orders, etc, not knowing which direction to turn first. I'm hopeful that the stress of school nursing is different. Is it typical to be responsible for several schools? Is there any sort of limit on the number of children a school nurse is responsible for? I always thought I would work with kids and I think it would be rewarding. I think that one of my biggest concerns is that because I am a new nurse, will I have the background to handle emergencies, will my assessment skills render me equipped to identify emergent vs nonemergent situations. In the hospital, if I am concerned about a patient's change of condition or how to handle a situation, I feel very supported by staff and charge nurse. What kind of support is there in the school setting? I'm hoping to get in contact with a school nurse in my area to shadow. Thanks again for the feedback.

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, all your responses are very helpful. In looking at requirements for school nurse certification, it looks like one needs a certain number of years of experience as a school nurse, right? What kind of experience prepared you to be a school nurse? Were you a peds nurse? Did you get your experience subbing? What conditions/situations do you encounter most frequently? What is involved with a health plan? Do you recommend any reading material/work experience to prepare for the job? Thanks again!

Hi, I'm considering school nursing. I've been working as an adult med-surg nurse for less than a year and really want a change of pace/focus. I'm a recent grad (been working about 8 months) and feel so burnt out already...and I feel like my body's suffering. Job has been so anxiety provoking I wake nauseas, lost 10 lbs (I'm officially underweight according to bmi), headaches, etc. I'm hoping that school nursing doesn't have the same kind of pressure as med surg does. I thought I liked fast pace, but this has been insane! I want to focus more on health promotion and less on pushing meds and hope that I might have more of an opportunity for this as a school nurse. I've been browsing through recent posts which have been helpful. It sounds like subbing is the best way to start out. I found a handful of jobs available but none in areas I would consider relocating to. Would anyone recommend contacting school districts directly? Any other suggestions to find a job? Also, I'm concerned that I have no nursing experience working with kids. I've worked with children since I was basically still a kid myself, babysitting, childcare, nanny, summer camp, tutor. My dilemma is that I might have the opportunity to work at an outpatient surgical center and get out of the hospital right now. But my gut is telling me I should try to find a job in pediatrics. Also, I heard that school nurse positions are being cut due to budget cuts--has anyone found this to be true? Wanted to throw out some questions...an informational interview, so to speak. I appreciate response to any questions and/or any advice or direction to past posts that I might have missed. Thanks!!! -How much training did you receive when you were first starting out? -How much support is available during training and now? -Any noteworthy pros/cons of the job? -What have you found most challenging? Most rewarding? -Do you feel like you are still learning/is the work environment stimulating? -Are you happy that you left acute care (if you did)? -How is the stress level? -Can you describe a typical day?