So I'm unemployed. I have applied at several places to no avail.

Mawnka · Jun 24, 2010

Well, i'm going to let me first question be this:

Were you happy there? Was there a more definitive reason for the lay off?

bonnie west · Jun 24, 2010

That was the reason they gave. There was days that I would get really agitated.I think they thought I could not handle the stress. I was getting better but not to their speed I quess.I had talked to the manager about this. They said that I was a very good nurse. Good with my patients and co-workers.I think I was a target from the beginning. I quess it was for the best for them.I have not worked in any other position. I need some good advice before I take the plunge into agency nursing. I do not want to travel. I'm thinking HH

Doc Lori, R.N. · Jun 24, 2010

Hi, sorry that all this happened to you. Did you not have the opportunity to transfer to another unit? I am assuming that either it was not offered to you, or you wanted out of the hospital totally. HH is more laid back, yet comes with it's own distinct set of challenges, in addition, I don't know of any HH position that does not have on-call responsiblities. Personally, that's what I didn't like! I am sure that you will be drawn to that which suits you. Good luck in your ventures :)

bonnie west · Jun 25, 2010

No the option to be placed on another floor was not offered. I figured that the dear Lord was telling me this is the time to leave.I hope I can endure till my time to be placed some where else. Thanks for your post.

Blackheartednurse · Jun 25, 2010

I'm an old new grad (all the way from 2009) and I was faced with similar situation,except I dont have your experience..I couldnt find a hospital job in my home state so I signed up with a home health agency...So far so good...It is better than being unemployed..I'm planning to work both the agency and the hospital (once i find the hospital that will hire me)

elprup, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2010

blackheartednurse - congrats on the HH job! I am so glad something came along for you!

And thanks for giving me the idea to go back and ask the HH/Hospice agency I applied for but was second choice, so I didn't get the job. Maybe it'd work out for me, like for you? Don't love the idea of doing those night time call hours. let me know how it's going if you feel like venting or chatting. I'd love to know. Or else I am thinking of volunteering for places like CHP, a help new mother's/teenage mom, Health Dept or whatever else I can find, hoping that it will lead to a position of any kind.

Congrats again, you deserve it. elp

Blackheartednurse · Jun 25, 2010

blackheartednurse - congrats on the HH job! I am so glad something came along for you!
And thanks for giving me the idea to go back and ask the HH/Hospice agency I applied for but was second choice, so I didn't get the job. Maybe it'd work out for me, like for you? Don't love the idea of doing those night time call hours. let me know how it's going if you feel like venting or chatting. I'd love to know. Or else I am thinking of volunteering for places like CHP, a help new mother's/teenage mom, Health Dept or whatever else I can find, hoping that it will lead to a position of any kind.
Congrats again, you deserve it. elp

Luckily,my mom's friend knew an agency that welcomes nurses...Usually they want one year experience but they gave me a chance,they liked the fact I'm fluent in another language.I like it so far.Right now I have 3 pt (today I had my first admission that I did on my own..) It wasnt as confusing as I expected it to be...it took me less than 2 hours to assess the patient and complete half of the documentation (planning to still work on it tonight) In total I have to fill out like 40 papers LOL...What I like about home health nursing is independence,you make your own schedule,one patient at a time..Also you get to spend time with you patient like talk to them,they will show you their pictures,tell you their stories,you actually have a time to teach them about disease process or meds.You also have a opportunity to practice your assesment,put the picture together.