Working as a nurse aid, before getting into a new-graduate program

[Ecstatic2014]

I have graduated from a BSN nursing program last year around May.

Here in my area, it is very very difficult to find an RN job, moreso in my case, in the acute-care hospital settings.

Hospitals in my area only hire RN's who have at least one-year of acute care nursing experience.

I hate to think of the fact that I may have to move out of town, to find an RN job elsewhere.

Number one, I am in a relationship with my GF right now, and it would suck to break up with her.

Number two, I manage my parents' property, so I need to be around.

Number three, I have already spent tons of money in the past to move out of town to work elsewhere (but these were jobs other than nursing - nursing is my 2nd career), and then spend even more money to mail my belongings back home.

Right now, the hospital I work for has a new graduate program for registered nurse. Openings/positions are available to apply for every six months.

However, the competition to get admitted into this program is very very very HIGH! There are only a certain number of attempts that applicants who, before they are no longer considered for this new graduate RN program.

They only select current employees, mainly like me, who work either as nurse aids or ward clerks.

For now, I don't really mind working as a nurse aid, because I want to get my foot in the door and work hard to show managers my capability.

But the thought that I may never get into this program, after x-amount of times of applying to this new graduate program, is giving me nightmares, panick attacks, etc.

I have seen excellent nurse aids, who have their RN license and graduated from an RN nursing program, not get admitted into my hospital's new graduate program, and having to leave town to work, or simply give up on nursing.

I don't know......I am just worried and have nightmares about my nursing career.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Wow - a lot of stress to cope with all at the same time.

The consistent message from AN is "a job is better than no job" when it comes to nursing. BUT - be sure to research your BON's position on RNs taking lower level jobs. It would put you in a very awkward position, professionally. You would be still bound by your license requirements, no matter what your job description says. Basically, licensed professionals always serve "two masters"... their employer, who pays their salary and the licensing board. When push comes to shove, we MUST abide by our BON's rules & state Nurse Practice Act. You can always get another job, but you only have one license.

Worst case scenario? You could find yourself in a situation in which you had a professional responsibility to act in a way that was contrary to what the RN (who is in charge of you) told you to do. YIKES! This is also a potential liability for the employer - their "CNA" may be professionally bound to exceed the bounds of that job description.

Wishing you good luck on the job front. Hope some of your stress points become more manageable very soon.

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

Can you apply for a non-hospital RN job such as home care, clinic, outpatient surgery, etc? if so thats a better plan as you will be using your license and racking up RN experience. Working as nurse aid is only for those wihout RN license such as students or those who just want to stay as nurse aids. Many hospitals will not hire an RN as a nurse aid b/c they do not want the liability and also they know once u get an RN job, they are back to square one and have to interview and hire someone else to replace you...so they prefer to hire someone who will stick around long term rather than someone who is trying to "get their foot in the door". Too late for this but it can help others who arent RNs yet....become a nurse aid while you are a student...so you can give the hospital the time commitment they want and also have first choice in hiring when you do get the RN license.

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

i re-read your post and it seems you already been working as an aid at your hospital. If so, my advice is to keep your options open. You may or may not be hired at your current hospital. Do not just depend on this hospital...apply to other hospitals nearby as well as other Nursing Jobs including rehab centers, outpatient surgery, etc. Any RN job is better than a non-RN job (when you want to be an RN).