Ally09

Hello fellow nurses I would like get some advice from about my future as a nurse. I would like to start first by giving a little hx. I got into nursing because I have always wanted to help people holistically in my community. I got into a program a couple of years back and was doing so well. I really excelled and was an A student throughout school (both in the classroom and during my clinical rotations). So I thought I was doing well however I had one the nursing instructor ( who I looked up to) come to me and tell me that she rather have a "C" student care for her any day rather than an "A" student. That comment shot me down because I was this "A" student. From that moment on I became very insecure in my abilities as a nurse and questioned rather I was any good enough to be a nurse. I never let it show though, I walked around with this false sense of confidence but deep down inside I was always terrified that I would harm someone because in my mind I was not good enough. Then the day came in my 4th term when I made the mistake. My instructor told everyone at the beginning of the clinicals that if anyone make any mistakes that they were getting kicked out of the nursing program. This added an extra level of fear because I had worked so hard to get to that 4th term. That same day she followed me as I cared for my patients. When I got to my second patient, i walked in the room and called the patient by his name and introduced myself. He answered and we made small talk for a minute, then I told him I was there to give him his medications. After giving his first two meds, he had an insulin dose that was scheduled. At this point I then checked his armband then realized that he was not my patient. I was HORRIFIED!. This mistake has haunted me. The instructor that I had at the time was not supportive and would leave us while she met her boyfriend downstairs daily, so I always felt that I was lost. I am by no means blaming anyone for my mistakes but I feel that if I had had more guidance and support I would not be where I am today. When I graduated from school I felt in my heart that I really didn't deserve to be there on that stage graduating with honors because I had mess up so badly. After school I got a job right after passing the NCLEXN. The job was a home health position in which I worked for two years. I later realized that I was suffering from depression so I quit that job and have not worked now for a year. I still have the passion for nursing and would like to one day get over this fear any advice to give to a novice?

I definitely see your point Joanna, thanks so much for the advice :-)

Me working in a chronic area of nursing does not secure me entrance into an acute area of nursing. I'm often over looked because of the lack of acute experience. So my question to you is, Why work in a chronic area when Its not beneficial in helping me get into facilities who value acute experience. It's a difficult situation to be in, I think.

Thanks Brandy, @ Joann, for me, money is not an issue. My husband makes enough to take care of our economic situation while I pursue my dream. I've also put away enough for a rainy day. My dilemma is finding a nursing position of substance where I can hone my skills and become experienced in every aspect. So I'm not looking for a job because of the money. I didn't become a nurse for the financial part of it, to me the money is a bonus. If I had to I would do it without payment. I have a real passion for the profession and want to actually help people young and old.

Well I guess what I really mean is that I want to nurse and be an all around nurse able to work in any environment. I have tried acute facilities and even LTC facilities but because I don't have acute experience I am over looked. I feel that the chronic care experience will and has hurt my chances of working within these acute facilities, since they only want that type of experience. I don't have a problem working as a private duty nurse but as I search through the many job openings they all want acute. I just don't want to be limited in anyway.

Thanks KelRN215 sometimes the discouragement can put you in a rut but I guess you are right. I was so focused on getting into a hospital I didn't stop to think about that.

Oh and I cared for pediatric patients with trachs, GI tubes and other special needs

I resigned because I found out that the current job that I worked did not count towards nursing experience in a acute facility. I thought that maybe since I recently graduated with my BSN I would be considered a newly graduated nurse. I'm just trying to find my niche

I graduated from nursing school in 2009 and applied at many facilities with zero result. They did not want to hire me because I did not have acute care experience.( in my head I'm thinking, "how am I suppose to get that experience if no one is willing to hire me)." My determination was a force to be reckoned with, so I continued applying to companies. There was this one home health agency who hired me from the start. The pay was lousy but at least I could work as a RN. The company was a pediatric home agency where I cared for chronically ill clients in the home environment. It took me a moment to realize that this job did not count towards my one year experience and I didn't use 90% of the skills learned in nursing school. But I used this time to go back for my BSN. After I received my BSN at the end of 2011, I resigned from this home agency. I was feeling that his company was not the right fit for me. Pesonally, I'm a little discouraged and insecure about getting a job and my technical skills, respectively. However I continued to apply to facilities. I applied to a LTC facility and was told that I didn't have any experience. I was devastated. All this work for nothing. So here I am with an AA, ADN, and a BSN with no real nursing experience and no one willing to hire me. So this week I decided to apply for the gn program at a local hospital since I'm being told that the experience I have is " no " real experience. I'm really hoping that something pan out because I have been out of work for over six months and out of school for about a year. I'm feeling really discourage and wondereing if someone can give me some advice as to what should be my next move.