RN turns barista...

caliotter3 · Oct 22, 2009

Getting a paycheck will build your self esteem and help pay the bills. You can continue your job search around your work hours. Although if it was me, I would consider working as a nursing assistant before the other types of jobs because I think it would go over better in a job interview that one still tried to be in the nursing field somewhere. Good luck.

nurseme3, LPN · Oct 22, 2009

What a brave message you have written. I think there comes a point where we still have to live and make money, even if that means taking a non-medical related job for a while. I think people will look at you and see a hard-working individual who has the drive to keep working toward goals, despite setbacks like a crappy economy. Good luck to you.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

anyways...the purpose of my thread is to ask this... is it a good idea to give searching a break and apply elsewhere.. say a starbucks or target or anything that pays and isn't at a hospital?

are you opposed to working in a non-hospital healthcare environment such as a nursing home, home health agency, hospice house, dialysis center, or private duty? many of these places do not advertise jobs online or in the newspaper, so you'll need to walk in and apply in person if you want employment.

i'm sorry that you're having difficulty finding work as an rn. good luck to you!

neonatal_nurse · Oct 22, 2009

I agree with TheCommuter. You should at least drop your applications in "other" nursing facilities aside from the hospital (by this time you should've sent your application to different hospitals) while waiting for their call as it takes time for them to schedule their trainings and if they if they have an opening. You could be a private duty nurse for a while or maybe in clinics. Try those too, as these areas are other fields of nursing and will definitely look good on your resume.

Good Luck!

BKCinNOLA · Oct 22, 2009

I know how you feel. I graduated in May and am still looking for an RN position. ANYWHERE! Even the SNFs and LTCs in my city want 'at least 1 year experience' I managed to snag a seasonal position doing flu shots, but the vaccines ran out about a month and a half into it. So I'm back on the market.

In the mean time I, too, am looking for a non-nursing job (hostess, waitress, barista, etc.). But then I run into the brick wall again of, we'd rather hire some one with experience. Seriously?! I know how to talk to people, and I practically have a degree in how to take care of customers. I'm now looking into seasonal positions at places like the Gap. They tend to hire more sales people for the holidays and I won't feel bad if by some miracle I do get an RN job and have to leave after only a month or two.

I'm also volunteering at a hospital doing child life stuff on a pedi unit (my ideal RN workplace). That way, I've stuck my foot in the door and will hopefully meet some people who can help me out in getting my new grad RN position (even if it doesn't exist yet).

Like you, my ego is severely bruised. I feel like a failure, an embarrassment, and a burden on my family. Nearly every night I break down into tears because I feel so out of control of my future. I'm hoping by making a some money maybe the 'burden' part of that will dissapate and I'll get some of my confidence back.

This HAS to work out for us eventually, right? Keep your chin up :)

groovy jeff, RN · Oct 22, 2009

If your going to work at a Starbucks, work at located in a hospital. You might network your way into a nursing job.

Music in My Heart · Oct 22, 2009

You gotta do what you gotta do in order to survive.

If you can afford to be without an income then I'd choose to keep up the hunt while volunteering in some local hospitals and taking certification and CNE classes.

My ego's been bruised, too. My only solace is that I was very successful in my prior profession so I know that I can excel at professional-level work.

Tylerdurden · Oct 22, 2009

Thats really interesting, though I think I'd rather be a bartender ^_^

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

I moved cross-country after I graduated last year, without any job prospects, and did pick up a part-time job at a Starbucks a couple of months before I landed my job in the hospital. Fast-forward ten months: I'm still working both (even though the barista gig is only about 10-15 hours a week). The scheduling can get a little hairy, especially since I work nights at the hospital, but I really love both sets of coworkers and slinging coffee is fun. It's also great to have a side job where you don't have to worry about doing someone serious harm by making a mistake (although some customers would disagree with that). And did I mention the free coffee? It makes you hugely popular with night shifters :wink2:

If it's all that seems to be available, why not go for a non-nursing job? In this economy, I don't think any potential employer would fault you for doing whatever it takes to make ends meet.

cocoon2butterfly · Oct 23, 2009

If your going to work at a Starbucks, work at located in a hospital. You might network your way into a nursing job.

Now, there's a brilliant idea right there...and who knows, start with that, and you might just meet a nurse who has that link to your first RN job...

Honestly, I'd love to have a little side job like that - extra money, that is relaxing and has nothing to do with nursing (at least, relaxing in comparison to working on a floor...)

And my first job after nursing school wasn't a RN job - it was working in a daycare for kids with autism...salary was definitely a lot less, but it paid the bills...RN job came 7 months later...

Good luck!

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Oct 23, 2009

A lot of people don't know the variety of jobs out there since "hospital" is the focus through out nursing school. I'm going to mention some of the "odd" nursing jobs I've had (they were mostly LVN jobs, but many hired RNs as well) :

Group Homes - Many have to have licensed nurses as least part time because of health requirements, these can include developmentally disabled, eldery, alzheimers. I loved working at the developmentally disabled group homes. We did trips to Disneyland and stuff. (Yes, I got paid to go to disneyland). My job included passing meds, assessment, treatments, and maintaining safety as well as training direct care staff appropriate care and CPR.

How to find this job: Oddly enough, many advertise in the Pennysaver or just in newspapers. The best way is probably look in the phone book, or google county resources which made lead you to these jobs.

Nursing Homes (which you all know). I got my very first LVN job, by walking into the place and asking to speak with the DON & handed her my resume when she came. Many don't advertise, just bug them, no one seems to use the yellow pages anymore but it does work!

Clinics/Urgent Care: They tend to have better hours than a lot of jobs, but lower pay, not always sought after. I didn't even know some of the clinics in my area existed, but I put in different key search terms on google: health care and the city I was looking at. You'd be amazed how using slight different key works, may get you more information.

Universities/Colleges: Did you know that many of them have health centers? They hire various health professionals based on need.

Prisons: California actually is very hard to get into, but there are county jobs, state jobs and federal jobs that may be available. They do take a while to get though.

There are really a lot of "odd" jobs out there that you would never even know have nurses. I saw an ad from Disneyland once looking for a nurse.

Now is definitely the time to be creative. Most people search for "new grad RN" in all the sites and get frustrated when things don't come up, and now more than ever this is holding true.

Networking, adding new skills (like ACLS) and most of all, thinking outside the box are going to be your biggest asset!

Good luck and I hope things turn around soon.