Was one year the magic number for you?

Nurses New Nurse

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For those of you who started out in your less than (far from) dream job, did you find that after gaining 1 year of experience, it opened a lot of doors for you? Specifically for those who started in non-acute care positions?

I'm getting close to the 1-year mark. I've held my current job for 10-months (psych), and will soon be starting a pool position at a sub/post-acute facility. Still pretty far from what I ultimately want (L&D), and not quite what I was hoping for in the meantime (a plain-old med-surg position).

But the job-hunt is wearing me down, there is only so much rejection one can take before your ego is bruised.

I can't decide if I should just stick with what I've got for another 6-8 months (take a mental break from searching), and try again later, or if I should keep trying when I hit the 1 year mark.

My sense was that since 1 year was the bare minimum for so many positions, that even that isn't very appealing to recruiters/managers, so I probably will still be wasting my time, until I'm closer to 2-years. And obviously, new-grad positions are out.

What do you all think?

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Hi!

I'm happy that you have a job! I on the other hand am a new RN and still looking for someone to contact me for even an interview. I have applied and applied and followed-up with nurse recruiters only to be told, we are still sorting through applications and are in the process of selecting applicants for interviews. This is my opinion, but if I were you, I would stay where you are or start the med-surg job you were offered and work for a few months. While working, get your ACLS (if you don't have it) and maybe start to look into EFM classes (electronic fetal monitoring)...that way when you do look for an L&D position down the road, your chances will be better! This is just a friendly suggestion...(I work in women's right now, but I want to start out in med-surg to gain more skills and experience)! :)

Best of luck to you!

jadu1106

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Hi thanks for your reply...I certainly did not mean to sound ungrateful about my job(s). I am thankful for them, and I know how awful it feels to have no one calling. It took me 5 months to find my first job, and that was essentially only by luck, and casting a VERY wide net.

But what I was saying is that I want a med-surg job now, L&D later (well I would take L&D now :lol2: ). I currently have a psych and sub-acute job. I don't know if my mental health can take much more rejection, so I'm hoping once I hit one year I can flip that into a med-surg position...but that may just be a pipe-dream, for a not-new any more (ASN) grad :/

I was working as an aide in L&D too when I graduated...but sadly there were too many aides graduating and not enough positions to go around. If you have the chance to get a job where you work now, take it! Good luck to you also!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

in my area facilities are now asking for two years acute care nursing experience to work med surg full-time. in fact, i know of people who were rejected with no acute care experience and who have no adult acute care experience, but have been nurses for a few years in other settings. a year ago if you told me this would happen i would have told you that you were insane... now i know it to be a reality! so, two years acute care experience is now the magic number.

btw, there may be hope. there are places who will take you per diem if you have at least a few years of work experience outside of the hospital setting. hospitals like those will not spend a lot of time training you but they will give you a foot-in-the-door. the only problem is, many have electronic ways to filter out applications so you will not get past hr. therefore, network with nurse mangers to meet someone who will give you a shot. gl!

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one year isnt a magic number in this economic climate im afraid. stick it out and stay put for now i say. i agree with the poster who said 2 years is more the magic number.

and if i may offer my 2cents--dont waste time or money for ACLS. most employers will pay for ACLS-not clear by your post but i think you may be in sub acute care which will looks kinda confusing to have ACLS in sub acute? just sayn'

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Thanks, yup I am in psych now and starting sub-acute soon. I don't have ACLS (wasn't planning it actually), that was another poster that mentioned it :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

One year SEEMS to be the magic number locally, but who knows right? I am a new grad, so I am hoping that this remains true. My plan is to get a job and stick it out for a solid year then if I am happy stay.. and if not then begin the hunt for a new job.

Something bothersome I have found is this: Some applications ask if you have ever looked for a job while having a job. That makes me think that this is beginning to be looked down upon. Thats scary.. I mean what is wrong with looking for something better?

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One year SEEMS to be the magic number locally, but who knows right? I am a new grad, so I am hoping that this remains true. My plan is to get a job and stick it out for a solid year then if I am happy stay.. and if not then begin the hunt for a new job.

Something bothersome I have found is this: Some applications ask if you have ever looked for a job while having a job. That makes me think that this is beginning to be looked down upon. Thats scary.. I mean what is wrong with looking for something better?

I wonder about that question when I come upon it too :coollook:. I think if you said no they would think you weren't being honest, so it must be expected to say yes?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Glad to know that I am not the only one pondering that one!

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