Seasoned nurses, I need your wisdom!!

[JoI8815]

I really really would like some advice from my fellow nurses! I will try to keep this short. Thanks in advance.

I was recently terminated (February) from a LTC facility after being assaulted by a patient. That was not the first time. However, I already felt unsafe working at that facility (actually for various reasons) and was planning to leave in a month when this happened.

After the incident, I was back on the hunt looking for jobs. Now, I absolutely LOVE nursing, but feel somewhat turned off by bedside nursing (mostly just LTC). So, I started applying for RN case management jobs as well as for ER positions outside of my city, since where I live is almost impossible to land a hospital position without experience.

I ran in to a temp agency where I was able to land a TEMP position as an RN case manager with a very reputable company in my city. At the same time, I also interviewed for an ER position 2 hours away from where I live. The interview went very well and I feel pretty good about my chances of landing that position as well.

So here is my dilemma. I only have 11 months of experience as a nurse, so essentially, I'm still very new. Though I love the case management position so far (not just the work but the culture of the environment, no weekends or holidays and they pay well), I keep thinking that I need more clinical experience, because at the end of the day, I think its going to make me not just more marketable, but a better nurse (and case manager if I choose to go back to that specialty). I just don't know what to do because I already started the assignment with this company (while falling more and more in love with it every day), and I don't know what I would do if I'm called for the ER position . While I don't want to burn bridges with this company, I also do not want to miss out on an amazing opportunity (though the transition will be a sacrifice) to gain more clinical experience in an area that I've always been fascinated by (the ER).

So my question is, should I stay with the CM (where I am happy and stress fee) and see if they would hire me permanently at the end of the assignment, or should I move to another town to pursue more clinical experience?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

A stress-free nursing job?? Where do I sign up?

Seriously.....yes, you could use more clinical experience. However, you have a job that a) you are happy with, and b) doesn't cause you to want to run screaming from the premises on the inevitable bad day. Bottom line, you probably should stay where you are---you really don't want to burn bridges if you can help it. You can ALWAYS go back and do a refresher course to update your clinical skills if you choose to move on later on down the line.

In the meantime, enjoy your low-stress job and be grateful for it. Most of us never find such a job in our entire careers. Take care.

[Farawyn]

A stress-free nursing job?? Where do I sign up?

Seriously.....yes, you could use more clinical experience. However, you have a job that a) you are happy with, and b) doesn't cause you to want to run screaming from the premises on the inevitable bad day. Bottom line, you probably should stay where you are---you really don't want to burn bridges if you can help it. You can ALWAYS go back and do a refresher course to update your clinical skills if you choose to move on later on down the line.

In the meantime, enjoy your low-stress job and be grateful for it. Most of us never find such a job in our entire careers. Take care.

Maybe look for a PD job? Or even local VFD if you have that where you live?

Otherwise, agree with VivaLasViejas.

[JoI8815]

I thought about that but I was also thinking you need a lot more experience for PD jobs? Were I live, you need 2 years experience for almost every job that's out there. I was actually surprised when I landed this one with limited experience.

[JoI8815]

HAHA I hear you. I know that there will be moments where I will be under some stress. The CM position is a lot of work, but its all telephonic and its a different beast compared to the bedside in my opinion. I think the culture of the environment makes a BIG difference. I'm just concerned about where would I be if this company decides not to take me on full-time. I think it would make my chances of landing another job in the clinical setting more difficult, since most CM jobs require at least two years of clinical experience. sigghhh...I guess I'll just have to do refresher courses if it comes to that.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

See if you can get a per diem Med/Surg job and stay with that for a year or so, THEN see about an ER per diem job at the end of that time.

I would stay on with the CM job as long as I was able to. Why not? Anything else would be gravy, experience, and only per diem.

Stay on top of your certifications (ACLS, PALS, NALS, Wound Care....) whatever certifications you can keep current, do. Additionally, make sure your continuing education is relevant.

There is also a home health route. To do some part time visits will increase your knowledge.

Best wishes!