ubcgirl

I would definitely not move for a casual position - because of the unguaranteed hours, it wouldn't make any sense for me financially. It would have to be the temp part time or the FT. I am an RN. Also, the concern with my hometown is that many of my relatives are in the hospital for various reasons. My mom is actually of Aboriginal descent, and it is a very small town, so really, in some way I am related to many of the people there, and know even more of them, and would not feel comfortable being their nurse. I would assume they wouldn't want me giving them a supp and then seeing them at church the next day as well!

I am applying for my first nursing job, and have several applications in all over the country. I am lucky (sort of) in that I am single with no children and no family or other commitments. While I am no spring chicken, I can certainly afford to work pretty much anywhere for a year or two while I gain experience and pay off some of my student loan. I am aware that the nursing market is tough right now - I've been reading whats going on in AHS, which is similar to whats going on in BC, and what seems like, pretty much everywhere. I have gotten a couple of potential/maybe/unofficial job offers which are more than casual, and I am wondering which road to take if given the option. Tiny city, small hospital, part time temporary (6 month) position, or, Very very small town, in a LTC facility, for FT permanent position. Its been drilled into my head that I must work med/surg for a couple of years to make myself hireable after some experience. However, the way nursing is going, I'd be nervous about moving to any city with a casual position just for a med-surg job. Unlike many of my peers, I am older, not from my current city of study, and moving back to my small hometown is not very feasible due to my parent's health status. I also wouldn't be able to work there because I am related to so many people there. So if given the above two options, which would be the smarter choice? And I do realize, I would be incredibly lucky to get offered either with our current market! Thanks for your help :)

Thanks to everyone! That does make me feel better.... I feel like I haven't had time to seek out extracurricular things, but obviously I should raise that up on my priority list. During my first degree, I lived in dorms and had a boyfriend the entire time, so it seemed like more of a community, whereas I haven't quite adjusted this new lifestyle yet, despite having been here since September.

I am in my first year of nursing school, although this is my second degree. I moved here from another city so I don't know anyone in the city other than the people I have met in nursing school. Most of my classmates are much younger than me (I'm in my late 20's). I did my best to make friends the start of the school year, but its not going so well. I am quiet, I work hard, but it seems quite a few students don't like me, and will be passive aggressive with me or just outright ignore my existence. I've given up on trying to have a social life with them outside of school (which is mostly because they've stopped inviting me out), but it does make class and especially group work uncomfortable. I am very careful about what I say, I do not think I am abrasive, I don't gossip.... I don't mind the aspect of studying for nursing school, and I love clinical, but I hate the social part. I don't know how to make friends outside of school (not that I would really have the time). This is a four year program and any advice on how to make it through would be great.