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If you can't get a job in an acute facility, have you tried a SNF or LTAC? Often they are in need and you can get some great experience under your belt. You can also make a difference. The care isn't always stellar, as a new grad, you would go in with the attitude of someone who wants to change things! Try Life Care on Harmon (sub-acute), Horizon LTAC, Progressive LTAC, or even a rehab like Health South - at times they will train. Rehab is great experience too. Good luck. Be persistant. And yes, GO TO THE FACILITIES. At times they will let you talk to a nurse recruiter right away. Other possibilities - psych nursing which has a huge population in Vegas. North Vista gero-psych is alway looking for nurses. Spring Valley Treatment Center on Rainbow may need help......Let us know how you are doing!

Your story is one that is definitely poignant and something we see as nurses often. You wrote a beautiful letter and it was touching. I want to play devil's advocate for a moment. The first thing we are taught in nursing school is not to judge. Funny, I might not remember the Kreb's cycle, but I sure remember being taught that unless you walk a mile in someone's shoes, you do not know what they are going through. I say this as someone who has worked hospice, oncology, psych and case management.......and as someone who lost both her parents. Even as a nurse, when you are in the situation, and don't want to lose a loved one, it is much more difficult to let go. As nurses we see it from one perspective, as children from another. When my mom, who was so vibrant and passionate about life, coded after cardiac surgery, I agreed to the code. Twice. She was a tough lady who made it through multiple cardiac surgeries in spite of having COPD and smoking like a fiend. It took open heart massage for me to realize what I was doing. Do I feel guilty? No. I did what I thought was right as a daughter, who didn't want to lose her precious mother, her best friend, her rock. When my dad was on vent, as a family, we fought about whether or not to extubate him. We are all entitled to our personal feelings. I have steamed inside on many occasions. But as a caregiver, I try to take care of the whole families needs and can feel the pain of this daughter.

Perhaps by now you have found a new job. If not, I would really suggest trying to get at least a year of med/surg experience prior to any specialty. It's an old story, but without the basics, there is no foundation to build on. You need some confidence. I would try to find a hospital that has a good mentor program and get paired with a nurse preceptor who is patient and will work with you to help build that confidence. We were all new grads once with fears and unknown expectations. If you have wanted this your whole life, you have one more step to take and that is to learn everything you can before you make a decision. You shouldn't base your decision on three months. Trust me, I was there. 25 years ago I wanted to RUN off a med/surg unit when my first patient was a Dr.!!!!! Just believe in yourself. You got thru school and passed the NCLEX so that says something about your determination and intelligence. You can do it. I know you can.