I post fairly regularly on this site but haven't posted in about three weeks. I figured would make a post as to where I was at since there were some concerns. As several members suggested before I followed up with both my MD and psychologist. My MD sent me for some blood work which came back normal. I am also getting a sleep study done but it isn't set for another 2 months. My health hasn't been great but I am still working full-time night hours between the two jobs until I figure things out. My health concerns for those who haven't read previous posts include; Heart rate in the 140s while sitting before work, heart palpitations, alternating constipation/diarrhoea ranging up to 7 BMs a day, 20+ pounds weight gain since starting the hospital job Dec 2019 and joint pain/aches. Anxiety definitely plays a role in some of these issues.
I talked with my psychologist about the situation and she states that I should stay on my hospital unit at least casually and remain part-time as long as possible. This is so I have a shot at the clinic position that my manager is offering to interview me for when they have an opening apparently in 4-12 months. I have made an agreement with my parents (I live at home) that if I don't find something by December I am switching to casual at the hospital job no matter what. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket but I'm feeling like I have no choice.
Unfortunately, the job search has not been going well. I have heard that once I had a year of med-surg I could find something else but that has absolutely not been my experience. Maybe it is the area I live in (close to a major world city) but I have in December 2 years of experience in med-surg bedside and a year in hospice and I am still getting no offers. I've applied to universities, community clinics, hospital clinics, OR, psych facilities, government positions, etc. Basically, anything that has daytime hours preferably 8-10 hours. I am even willing to take a pay cut of up to $6 an hour but I am getting few interviews even then and the ones I do have go to more senior people. Over and over I have been told by recruiters that nurses are leaving med-surg bedside in droves giving them lots of candidates so not to feel bad, as they "did like me but I just didn't have the experience some other candidates did". I feel like I've tried everything, I even paid $50 for a professional to look over my resume and cover letter for keywords/any mistakes/etc. They sent me some ways to reword my resume and I sent a bunch out again. Still nothing.
I don't know if there is anything else anyone can really say to me except for good luck, but I wanted to let people know that I was surviving. For any other nurse in my position, please know that you are not alone. It is super hard to get away from bedside at the moment. ?
That sounds rough and I can totally relate to you- my last job was really wreaking havoc on my body (and mind). Do you have a LinkedIn profile? I found this helpful when I was leaving my last job because I could look up different hospitals and employers and see who I know that works there, or who my contacts know that works there. At least where I am, nursing jobs are ALL about who you know. I've had five RN jobs and I knew someone working with that team for every single one of them.. check out LinkedIn, or maybe keep an extra close eye on employers who employ some people you know. Does your nursing program have a facebook page? Mine does and it doesn't get used often, but when someone posts for job openings/ information people are really supportive. Good luck!
Don’t live for the hope that you are dying.
Stress can do weird things to you, create GI ulcers, raise WBCs, throw PVCs on EKG.
take a moment, a deep breath, and re-evaluate how to de stress yourself. Your body will thank you.
Orange123456
15 Posts
That sounds rough and I can totally relate to you- my last job was really wreaking havoc on my body (and mind). Do you have a LinkedIn profile? I found this helpful when I was leaving my last job because I could look up different hospitals and employers and see who I know that works there, or who my contacts know that works there. At least where I am, nursing jobs are ALL about who you know. I've had five RN jobs and I knew someone working with that team for every single one of them.. check out LinkedIn, or maybe keep an extra close eye on employers who employ some people you know. Does your nursing program have a facebook page? Mine does and it doesn't get used often, but when someone posts for job openings/ information people are really supportive. Good luck!