What should I do if I feel like I can never get a job outside of the SNF

[dsaprog, BSN, RN]

I graduated in Dec 2020. I didn't get licensed until September 2022 due to 3 NCLEX failures. I have since been working at various nursing homes. I've applied for other nursing positions and have usually been rejected without even an interview. Last week I had an interview for a med surg training program (my only interview ever) and bombed it. It took me a total of 8 years to get the credentials I have with how long I took to graduate with a BSN and then to pass NCLEX. Now it feels wasted. I don't feel like I have what it takes to move up in the nursing profession. As a charge nurse in the SNF, I spend most of the day just giving medications to 30 patients. I have essentially the same job as the LVNs except that I give IV infusions and earn higher pay. I don't think I learned much in nursing school and I did my last 2 semesters of my nursing program 100% online due to the COVID pandemic. I might not have even graduated if not for that pandemic. I'm struggling to find a new direction in the nursing field and an ability to present myself as a strong applicant for new jobs. I think I would most likely benefit from getting into med surg nursing as a starting point because it would be easier than an ICU or ER. I'm located in the SF Bay Area and limited to facilities that are accessible via public transit since I don't drive.

[Davey Do]

LTC is a good background for geriatric psych since the population has comorbidities and is generally housed in a medical center where transfer to med/surge is a possibility.

In my area, the pay is good and the workload is tolerable.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You need to learn how to drive.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

You might want to try Zuckerberg Hospital. The psych unit hires from time to time. Once you're in the system and have worked awhile, you can apply to transfer to a multitude of units and settings. Good luck!

[mtmkjr, BSN]

You might also consider rehab nursing. Is there any inpatient rehab in your area? That might get your foot inside the door of a hospital environment and give you some time to learn and grow and use some more skills in a lower stress environment

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Don't knock the experience you're getting in the SNF while you're there. You're developing time management skills, assessment skills, management skills and you're getting more out of it that you're giving yourself credit for. I started in a SNF and myself and many of my coworkers have found med-surg positions, other acute care positions, some have gone into the administrative roles in LTC and acute care. You say you bombed the interview, but it was only your first one. Where did you have trouble? Work on the things that trip you up so when you get another interview, and you will, you're better prepared. You have to have a more positive outlook of what you've achieved so far, because you've achieved things! You've graduated from your program, you've passed NCLEX, you're a NURSE. You've got drive and persistence, some people wouldn't have invested the time and effort you have, they would have given up. You'll find something, but don't make it seem like you haven't done anything yet, you're a working nurse and you have many skills. Good luck with your future endeavors.  

[ponderingDNP]

With the negatives included in the OP's post (NCLEX failures, lapse between graduating and the NCLEX, and the statement of possibly not graduating at all had it not been for the pandemic), a med-surg position if offered may be on a shift few people want (nightshift). The OP's statements imply that confidence is lacking. That combine with the absence of the ability to drive does not make for the best workable combination.

When the census drops (yes, it happens at night, too), nurses get sent home. I was sent home at 0200 a.m. one morning and lived two hours away from the job. Anything could have happened: flat tire, fall asleep, hit a deer, etc. The employer cared more about the budget than my safety concerns. Unless public transport runs around the clock, the ability to drive is a must.

Likewise on dayshift, if placed on call and the census rises, nurses will be expected to come in within an hour's notice. There again, one must know how to drive. Employers do ask "are you able to meet the needs of the demands of the position for which you are applying". Attendance and flexibility are part of that demand. With acute care, it is a guarantee that at some point, you will be floated out or floated in.  Also, driving ability will expand access to job opportunities. The thing is, though, it won't do any good to be able to get to a job if there is no confidence in the ability to do the job. If you feel it, more than likely employers can sense it.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

I'm another nurse who got a good skills foundation in SNF. I encourage you to take every opportunity to learn. Look things up, take every training opportunity available.

Don't discount all the informal non-technical skills you've gained as a charge, including leadership and delegation. 

Hospice is another option if that area of nursing interests you. In patient hospice centers would probably be the most appropriate option for someone who uses public transportation.

[student24]

Girl, u have to learn how to drive and get it. If you are hungry for a hospital job, you have to sacrifice or you will be complaining for years while life goes by.

Get your licence, car, start applying where its 30min drive at least and see what happens. If the opportunities come, that is the universe, you just can't complain, u have to bend a little.

Good luck in your journeys:)