When do give up?

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Hi,

This is my first time getting to post on the general nursing board!ive spent a lot of time on the pre-nursing and student boards, but now I need advice on fully entering the the profession!

I am a new graduate and just passed the NCLEX a couple weeks ago! ive been riding the high of "officially" being a nurse but had a pretty big reality check today.

Ive worked in the restaurant industry for the last 10 years. With 1 year as a Nurse assistant in an ER. But tonight I found out that my place of employment for the last 5 is shutting down.

Of course I was already pursuing nursing jobs since January, but I wasn't too stressed out about not getting one yet, since I had a job that paid the bills. But now I only have 1 month to find a new one.

My question is, since I only have about a 1 month cushion once the restaurant closes, at what point should I start applying for non-RN jobs to make sure I still have money flowing in.

I have an ADN and am currently in an RN-BSN program which I will graduate from May 2018.

I have my heart set on working in an acute setting, but only a few of my classmates have gotten jobs in a hospital with a ADN.

so I feel like my options are:

1)start also pursuing TCUs or LTC

2)get another resturaunt job while I'm waiting for a hospital position

3)try to get hired as a Nurse Assistant somewhere and hope it leads to an RN gig in the future.

Im worried about starting some place new and then needing to leave right away, I know I need to prioritize meeting my own needs, but don't want to be inconsiderate either. So when do I start looking for non-RN jobs and what kind of job is the smartest idea? Or perhaps there's other options I haven't thought of yet too.

Thanks for your help! I know that was a long (grammatically challenged) story :dead:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

What about the facility that employed you as a CNA? They have no RN positions? You can forget about being employed as a CNA as long as you hold a valid nursing license because you'd still be held to the standards of an RN (employers know this). Aside from that, employers already know, also, that you'd leave the CNA position as soon as an RN position is available to you.

As for non-RN jobs, I'd probably fill out an app for every RN app done if that's what it takes to keep the lights on, food on the table, and a roof over my head. (If things are becoming desperate, I don't think I'd put that I'm an RN on a restaurant application, though, because all employers want employees who will stick around).

Depending on the area in which you live, some new grads have searched for positions for at least a year.

Gotta do what you gotta do...

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I wouldn't leave a nursing job right away because another one came up but I would consider:

1) reducing a LTC/SNF position down to per diem for an acute care opportunity

2) I would leave a restaurant job right away for an RN opportunity. Restaurants don't spend a lot on orientation (correct me if I'm wrong) and with your experience you would be productive from the start so they would be pretty much getting their money's worth after you worked off the cost of the background check. Your explanation of the job change will be easily confirmed since they're closing.

I think what I would do is apply for all positions now, restaurant, LTC/SNF and acute and then take the first one offered (but best of that category) and go from there based on the above. Timing wise, if it's relatively easy to pick up a restaurant job with your experience, I would wait closer to the current one closing.

ETA Never give up, that shouldn't be an option. You don't want to carry a defeatist attitude into interviews. Composed perseverance 23/7, you can have an hour a day to kick rocks.

Best to you.

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I would take any RN job you can ASAP, nursing rehabs or TCUs will actually be good experience while you are looking for an acute care position. LTC rehabs, at least in my area, are taking on more and more complicated patients since they get kicked out of the hospital sooner so you will learn a lot of the skills you would need in acute care.

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Get an RN job ASAP. If you wait until you get your BSN you are going to lose your new grad status. Take any RN job, finish your BSN, then look into acute care.

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I think it strongly depends on the area of the country you are in and how tough the job market is. I found a job within two weeks in an area of nursing I wanted but I see postings on this board of nurses looking six months later.

It also depends on how long you can afford to be without a paycheck.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If I had an RN license under my belt, there's no way I'd purposely look for another semiskilled/unskilled non-RN job unless I was desperate and faced homelessness.

I am sure your associate degree can open the doors to well-paid RN jobs in home health, private duty, hospice, group homes, adult daycare, LTC, assisted living, rehab, addictions, psych, prisons, jail intake centers, and so forth.

Why would anyone with an RN license seek a non-nursing job that pays not much more than minimum wage? That line of thinking puzzles me. The exalted acute care hospital job is not worth waiting for. Obtain an RN position ASAP.

RN job outside the hospital = RN pay + RN experience

Waiting for a hospital job = No RN pay + No RN experience

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While it is true that people prefer the BSN, many will give you a look if you are actively enrolled in a BSN program. Emphasize that when you apply to real hospital jobs

I completely agree-- get ANY kind of RN job asap. You went to nursing school and passed NCLEX-- you have left the restaurant and department store world BEHIND, girlfriend.

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Specializes in ICU.

Tons of hospitals hire nurses with an ADN. Actually, I know several DON's who have only an ADN. Yes, there are some that want the BSN, but don't let that limit you~ go ahead and apply for them.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the First Year After Nursing Licensure forum for more feedback.

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Thanks for all the great advice. Got offered a position at a TCU where I think I will learn a ton and get some great experience! I appreciate the help!

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I would apply to any and all nursing positions in your area, tailor your resume and cover letter to each position that you are applying for. Any Nursing experience at this point is going to help you get into the position that you want in future.

I was a bartender/server for 17 years prior to graduating nursing school with no nursing experience. I had hard time getting into hospital/acute setting until I had "nursing experience". I took a nursing position in LTC as it was only call back and interview I was able to get. Nursing uses lots of your customer service skills, so make sure your resume states that you have experience in customer service, and reflects this. I did receive call backs for other positions but it was not until 3-4 months after I was already working in LTC. I did not like where I was working and will not be going back to LTC, but it did help me get in to Acute care after 1 year of experience. Networking has helped me tremendously. Do any of your classmates know any of opening's. Also where I live some Nurses do not make it out of orientation, so there may be new openings in a couple of weeks, if nurses do not make it through orientation and the first 6 months on floor.

Also consider volunteering, or shadowing/following a Nurse on floor that you want so they can get to know you where you want to work. If they like your personality and think you will be a good fit, I know of people that have landed jobs this way.

I highly recommend a year of med/surg/tele to gain the experience and knowledge base that you don't learn in nursing school.

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