What do I do? RN, FNP, Job Seeker

Nurses Career Support

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So, I have 7 years nursing experience. I have been a CNA, LVN, RN since 2006 now, in 2012 I passed the NCLEX-RN. I have done Med Surg Tele, home health, inpatient psych, correctional nursing, and travel.
Most of my jobs don't end well, due to the strain being in school full time and working full time takes. It took me 10 years to realize I was killing my nursing career by jumping around from job to job.
Now I have a MSN, with a FNP certificate. All I have to do is pass the FNP national certification board (just one).
I'm in looking for a job mode constantly.
Last month I began a Med/Surg (GI) floor a hour away with weekend option ($38/hr).
I have a nursing home job that is unreliable in hours $28.50/hr (5min drive).
I put off starting an assisted living (glorified medication assistant) position to start orientation at the GI med/surg that is ($30/hr and 30 min away.
Last week I had an acute dialysis nurse interview, they are going to call me in a couple of weeks. 12 hour shifts, $30-35/hr, benefits, 30 min - 1 hr drive depending on the demand.
This week I go for a nursing teaching position at a renounde university. I don't know what the salary is, it's a hour away; except I think they will pay for my Doctorate. Also, if I go full time, I can get nursing educator loan forgiveness.
My priorities are a mess.
I went broke putting off studying for that test since last July (over 6 months). Now that I am getting back on my feet, I have too many goals.
I also was accepted into a Psych NP - certification program, and have another waiting on me to pass the FNP certification exam.
Med/Surg is really demanding.
That is why I am calling around for dialysis, home health, nurse educator or some other role. It's like I'm constantly planning to get fired, so I'm collecting jobs. If I can just pass that certification I can have other problems!
I'm building back up from being broke, fired expectantly, cut from the schedule, or let go in the past 6 months.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am unsure what your question is, to be honest.

Find a job you like and stay there until you get your FNP license. It sounds also like you need to consider moving to where the jobs are.

1 Votes
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

WOW!, I'm a little tired just reading this. Talk about too much of a good thing. You obviously have ample job opportunities so take a breath, pick one and stick with it. No matter what nursing job you choose it'll be relatively short term anyway as I expect you'll take on an FNP position somewhere once you pass the certification. As for that, maybe focus on passing that certification before you take on more certification programs.

1 Votes

You sound like you have identified your problems. Now you need to take some time to commit to a solution and deal with whatever you are running away from. If you don't do that you will crash and burn, possibly cause permanent destruction to your nursing career. If you can not come up with a plan, time to seek the help of a good therapist for assistance.

1 Votes

SO update. I've spend the last year working as a Med Surg nurse. I've recently went full time Psych and PRN Med Surg. 

I'm considering talking with a therapist. I'm tired of not getting anywhere. 

Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I have moved around a lot as well in my life. I have about 3 years experience as a psych nurse, but before then my husband was an unofficial traveling pharmacist (I had an online educator position) and we moved everywhere. Unofficial meaning he was a job hopper without any agencies and just put on his resume he was a traveler. That excuse worked. LOL

Lots of good and lots of bad came about due to our frequent moving. I can relate to what you are going through. 

For me and my husband, we just have this need to move and we need change. I have no idea why, but we do. So much change gets expensive. But I have discovered travel nursing and I think it is just what I need. I am currently working my first travel assignment on a psych COVID ward making $75 per hour. Pretty nice and it is satiating my need for change. He finally stuck with a position for 5 years and will be vested in June. After that he will join me in Washington state. We've been together for 23 years and have moved MANY, MANY times. You are not alone. Therapy is probably a good thing, but realize you probably just need constant change. Some of us do.

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