Transferring to another hospital and looking for more experience

[EwokRN]

Hi. I just graduated from an accelerated BSN program in Dec '08, and passed boards Jan '09. I actually was transferred out of a Medicine Unit, because they said I needed more experience in terms of critical thinking skills. This transfer occurred after 4 weeks. I actually have an interview with another hospital, which gives a longer orientation. I'm in the Hampton Roads area, and I was lurking on the boards about how to get more critical thinking experience. One of the other posters in HI, mentioned working in a LTC facility. Unfortunately, the ones I looked at in Sentara only offers RN positions to experienced nurses.

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas about how to get more critical thinking skills while I'm in this transition period. I was told that I have 30 days to look for another position within the hospital I'm in. The other hospital, if I'm hired, offers the new grad class in June '09. Unfortunately, so far, it doesn't look like I could find anyone who would give me an extended orientation in the hospital system I'm in. Orientation at the hospital I'm technically employed at is only 6 weeks for Medicine unit. At the other hospital I'm being offered an interview, it's 12 weeks.

Any opinions? Someone told me that I could perhaps volunteer at a LTC facility, as long as I can get some critical thinking experience. I was hoping to volunteer for the rescue squad, but they said that I would only volunteer 4x/month.

[grangianni09]

hi ewok read yours and i'm almost the same as yours, just new in the nursing no experience planning to look for a volunteer job in ltc if possibly in sentara coz its near to my place maybe anytime from now i;m going to ask for forms for volunteering, who knows after a while i will end up to have a job there.pls keep in touch

[grangianni09]

what/where to apply for volunteer squad.just new here in hampton,dont know most of the places near here.thanks again

[EwokRN]

Hi. I had contacted the volunteer rescue squad here locally in the Hampton Roads area. They mentioned that if you're an RN, you can challenge the EMT test that you need in order to become a volunteer rescue squad member. I wasn't really planning to go for the rescue squad since they only offer 4 volunteer rescue opportunities a month....not enough imho to improve your critical thinking skills.

I figured that it would be better just volunteering for a LTC facility somewhere to get more experience.

[grangianni09]

thanks ewok,hope to hear more updates bout your ltc volunteering journey.maybe i will to at sentara if they accept me.have you ever tried/applied to sentara?any news?

[grangianni09]

am anxious bout my nursing experience coz i worked in the dental dept for 20 yrs and in the nursing , i'm a newbie really so really am thinking of how to enhance my nursing skills right now and feel confident bout the new career.updates pls. thanks