Will I be Stuck?!

[Sl1011]

I graduated nursing school on Aug 6th, and I had my baby August 1st. I got an interview and job offer the week before I gave birth at a really large Doctor's Office (they have 6 clinics within 30 minutes of each office, family owned). I took the job since no other hospitals had contacted me, and I thought this might not be bad since I had a baby. Hours are Mon-Fri 830-530 and one day a week I only work until 1245 (mandatory half day so we don't accumulate overtime). Anyway, I've been working there since 9-13 and it's an okay job... not a lot of nursing skills being used I don't think. Just a lot of EKGs, shots, Peak Flows, Pulmonary Function Tests, breathing treatments, and of course vital signs. The rest is doing dictation, some charting, and doing phone calls/triage.

I'm kind of worried that if I do want to explore a hospital job again or a specialty clinic, that they'll look at my experience at a doctor's office as nothing.

[KarmaWiseRaven]

I would keep the job you have now and try for the hospitals again . It's easier to land a job when you already have one. And being a clinical nurse just might be your ticket in to the hospital or the special clinic. They will no longer view you as a New Grad if I'm reading this right. You are or we're a New Grad? And for your fear of being locked in i would Act fast and keep knocking on those doors one of them is bound to open. I hope this helps i wish you all the luck.. These are my thoughts use them as you wish

[Sl1011]

I would keep the job you have now and try for the hospitals again . It's easier to land a job when you already have one. And being a clinical nurse just might be your ticket in to the hospital or the special clinic. They will no longer view you as a New Grad if I'm reading this right. You are or we're a New Grad? And for your fear of being locked in i would Act fast and keep knocking on those doors one of them is bound to open. I hope this helps i wish you all the luck.. These are my thoughts use them as you wish

Yes, I've had this job for almost 3 months now and graduated about 4 months ago. I've been applying at hospitals, and nothing I've had a couple friends recently get hired and this is their first job. We graduated at the same time... I've never even been interviewed at a hospital. That's why I was wondering if putting this job on my resume makes me look bad? Either b/c of the experience (or lack there of) or b/c I'm looking for a job and haven't been working at this place that long. But I don't want potential future employers to think I haven't been working.

What about a day surgery/ambulatory surgery center... are those jobs hard to get? Would I need hospital experience for that generally? Thank you for your input! :)

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I think it's great that you have a job, and I like the fact that you still want to look for something more in line with your learning needs. You obviously like a fast paced environment where you will be learning something new everyday...brain candy.

So continue to apply for hospital jobs. Yes, day surgery jobs can be hard to obtain, but apply anyway. Keep looking! Congrats on graduation and congrats on your new baby!

[Sl1011]

I think it's great that you have a job, and I like the fact that you still want to look for something more in line with your learning needs. You obviously like a fast paced environment where you will be learning something new everyday...brain candy.

So continue to apply for hospital jobs. Yes, day surgery jobs can be hard to obtain, but apply anyway. Keep looking! Congrats on graduation and congrats on your new baby!

Thank you.. I'm still applying, but haven't gotten anywhere yet. The job I have now is pretty easy, but in a way I just don't feel like a nurse. I'm doing the same thing MAs are doing, and there's even 2 girls working here that aren't certified in anything and are doing the same job. I think they are in their first semester of nursing school... so I guess they would be a student nurse tech or something. I just really want to put my skills to use one day.

[enchantmentdis, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you have a cushy job that most nurses would salivate over. Consider yourself lucky and stay put for now. Hospitals are overwhelming and you will be too tired to care for your baby. Hospitals are a nightmare.