What to do next?

[jnmBSNRN]

Here is some back story. After graduating nursing school, I stayed at home with my second. About a year later, I landed a job at an outpatient endoscopy center, where I received a 3 month orientation since I was still a new grad. I stayed there for about 9 months, as a staff nurse doing admit, procedure, assisting, and recovery, until life happened and I needed to find something closer to home, and not so many days/hrs a week. I found a perfect job working 1-2 10hr days/week, at a small outpatient corrective eye surgical center. Stayed there for 9 months, during that short time frame, I became "lead nurse" (high nurse turnover ), up until we found out we were moving, at this time I was also pregnant. So now, a year later I'm looking for jobs. I'm fortunate to be in an area that seems to be hiring in just about every area, but it seems to also be my problem. I've technically worked for more than a year, but I don't think that is what most employers are referring to when they require, "1 year of experience", or are they?

When do you know what area you want to work in? I'm obviously open to everything given my previous work experience! Or is the lack of a specialty a perceived negatively? I loved the ER during my clinical rotation, but to think an employer hiring me thinking I'm totally up to snuff ready, is really intimidating. I don't feel like my experience is adequate...even more so, since its been awhile. I've been receiving multiple job offers, Is a 3 month orientation to a new unit or department out of the question, at this point? Is it hospital specific how long orientations last? Should I look at taking a refresher course, if it is possible, to make myself feel better? I REALLY want to *finally get a solid nursing foundation. The last place we lived nursing residencies were huge, but also really hard to get into. Everywhere else wanted that "1 year of experience", so I took the jobs that were offered graciously. Now, I seem to have more options, but I still feel lost . Any insight would be appreciated!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think I would ask in the interview about orientation. If there are a lot of jobs they might be willing to offer a solid orientation. I can speak to ER that asking for 12 weeks orientation would be okay since you are changing from outpt to to a more acute setting.

Also, if you are willing to work off-shift that might give you more leverage in getting a longer orientation.

Best wishes.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Based on the information you've provided, you have a solid 18 month's experience in procedural nursing. In my part of the country, this is actually an area that is in fairly high demand since there seems to be a continuous expansion of outpt treatment centers. So - don't think that your work history is not valuable just because you didn't work in a hospital. A lot of these are satellites of larger healthcare systems, so these jobs have all the benefits & competitive salaries as those in the inpatient areas.

Most Residency programs are likely to be restricted to new grads only. However, any organization that offers you a job should be willing to provide you with sufficient training/orientation. It is not unusual for this to extend to 12 weeks for a nurse who is switching specialty areas. IMO, as a nurse with experience in an area that is currently in high demand, you are in a great position to negotiate.

Best of luck on your new job.

[jnmBSNRN]

Thank you so much for your response! The insight on orientations to new areas of nursing is greatly appreciated.You're absolutely right about my experience, and I do believe I'm also currently in an area that is seeking out RNs (shortage if you will) that I think any experience will be a bonus.

[jnmBSNRN]

Thank you for your reply!

Off shift being nights or evenings? Im just so nervous about being in a new area and not feeling "ready"...which is ridiculous, since I it's going to happen eventually! lol