RNintheWest

VIOLA- Hi, I am looking at applying to the PMHNP track at OHSU. Can you tell me more about your experience there? I am currently and RN working at a community health center in Southern Ore. Some concerns I have are: getting in as OHSU is very competitive, and job placement after school. I love the many options the PMHNP degree give you. I don't have any in patient pscyh experience, but I have heard many people that go into the program without that experience. However, Im wondering if it would affect my chances of getting into the program. What was your background in? ....with the crappy hospital job market in p-land Grad school is looking like a good option to a fairly new RN...

Long story short: Rn for 1.5yrs, spent the first 6 months at a skilled facilty on nights (couldn't stand it) and then have been at a community health center for the past year. I really wanted to do community health, even in nursing school, however I'm at the point where i dont really feel like I am learning very much and I want more responsibility (that won't come internally from this job). SO - I was thinking about taking a trip abroad for about 2 months then looking for hospital jobs in POrtland when i get back in January 2011. I currently live on the coast and want to move there. The thing is...am I throwing away a job w/lots of perks (good schedule, a desk, relatively less stres...) for a job at a hospital that I'm not even sure I can get??? I've heard the job market is fierce in Portland, and despite not being a "new" grad, I don't have any hospital experience. Should I just keep what pays me and slowly look for hospital jobs instead of coming back from my trip w/o a job and taking the first thing that I can get (which will probably be at another SNF!).... please advise!

It sounds like we are in a similar place -- I having been working in community health at a safety-net clinic for the past year, and before that I worked 6mo at skilled nursing facility. I am beginning to start to research positions at hospitals...and am finding that it is still a competitive market for those w/o lots of hospital experience. please keep me informed about how your job search goes! How are you marketing yourself to nurse recruiters/ during interviews since you do not have the technical skills of floor nurses (at least i dont!). My triage, prioritization and communication skills are very good...but I feel like all they are looking for is acute care/CC experience and my year in public health is going to do me nothing!