nurn69

You can go to AHA website and look into their continuating education and click on e-learning. They have an ACLS part I that you can do online and then there is a place on the website you can type in your zip and it will show you the nearest AHA learning provider to do your skills and written part of the test.

I would definitely advise starting with the med/surg to gain valuable experience. I have been an RN for several years and never worked in the hospital setting nor never wanted to. I always worked in doctors offices which I did enjoy very much but, now I have moved to CA and I have discovered there are virtually NO doctors offices that hire RN's. They prefer the less expensive medical assistants for office jobs. Now I am trying desperately to find employment anywhere. Hospitals of course want previous hospital experience I guess with the economy the way it is they find it too expensive to train. I say take the hospital experience if you have found someplace to train you it may save you down the road!

Thanks for the info. I am located in the Inland Empire area.

I moved to southern Ca from the midwest last year after working there for 15+ years as an RN in various doctor offices. I had high hopes of finding a similar job here however, I am discovering doctor offices and clinics here "don't hire RN's" I have found they use "less expensive" medical assistants. Frustrated, I then applied to various hospitals, temp agency's and surgery centers hoping to gain new experience. Most of these places require 1-2 years specialized experience and will not train. Should I try to seek specialized certification on my own? I have an associates degree, should I try rn to BSN program? I feel either way I still will not have the actual "experience" they seek. And would be reguarded as a new grad. I never would have thought I would have so much trouble finding an RN job in CA! Maybe time for a career change?

[ I recently moved to Socal from the midwest. I worked in doctor's offices approx. 15+ years. I'm finding out Dr offices here do not hire RN's, only medical assistants. Now without any hospital experience I can not get into one of the hospitals. I guess that makes me overqualified but underqualified. and without a job!