I confess: I’ve kind of done a 180 in the area of job satisfaction, at least for the time being.  I have so many friends, husbands of friends, friends of friends who are out of work right now, that I’m singing a different tune.

Though I am hopeful the economy will turn around sometime in the near future, I hesitate advising anyone to give up gainful employment in hopes of finding something they like better.  And you know what, I don’t think working a job you don’t love is the worst thing in the world.  In fact, it might be just the thing to help a rather spoiled nation of workers get back in touch with reality.

There are a lot of people in this world who are grateful to do ANY type of work to earn a very small amount of money in order to feed their families.  There are people who have worked a job they hated their whole lives to provide a comfortable home for those they love.

We feel entitled to get great satisfaction out of the work we choose.  And we’d like to get paid well for it.  But the truth is, if those things happen, it’s a blessing, not a rite.

I have been very fortunate in my life to have had many jobs I loved.  I currently have a wonderful situation where I only work a few hours a week.  But times are changing, and I need to be prepared to suck it up and go find a full-time hospital position with benefits, working nights and every other weekend if that’s what it takes to put food on the table.

I’ve been spoiled and I know it.  I enjoy being home during the day, going out for coffee with friends, meeting my husband for lunch, getting my kids off to school in the morning, and welcoming them home when it’s over.  But if anything were to happen to my husband’s job, I have a profession that would keep a roof over our heads.

We all have to do our part when the economy tanks.  And the beauty of it is, we’re all capable!  It’s in times like these that we get to find out what were really made of.  And if you’ve already made it out of nursing school, you’re made of good stuff.

Our initial orientation was supposed to be 8 weeks, but I was thrown out on my own a little sooner than I would have liked. I started at my hospital June 1st doing orientation and by the fifteenth they had me on my unit with a peceptor. I did that for two days and by my third day I had two patients by myself. the next day three, next day four, five and so forth up to six which I am now at. (I think thats the limit) It was extremely stressful As soon as I felt comfortable with my time management and felt like I was finally getting my “niche” (as my co-workers called it) I would get brought back down to reality again when I had an extra patient.

I of course struggled the most out of any day so far the first day I had my own patients. I had not created any kind of system for myself…I was still searching for one. I found myself passing meds like an hour late and having patients who were supposed to have procedures done in the AM and I didn’t have any of the paper work done for it. I also got a phone call that night from the cardiac unit telling me my patient had a pause in their rhythm strip. I was in the room with the patient when this was supposed to have happened and he was totally asymptomatic I checked his VS’s and reassessed him and everything. I asked a new of my co-workers what had happened and what I should do about it. my shift was ending in less than 30 minutes. They recommended I just chart my findings and mention it to the oncomming shift when I give report so they will be aware of it. Well when I did this the nurse I gave report too flipped out and yelled at me and embarrassed me in front of the whole team. Telling me I was crazy and I should have “called the DR!!!”

She ripped my papers out of my hands and stormed off. Now if thats not a bad way to end your first day I would like to know what is! Here I was passing meds and having two patients by myself and its only my third day on the Unit! I’m still supposed to be precepting for another like 4 weeks here! On top of that My pt. with the critical lab (low K+) Is leaving for a CT scan and needs to have her IV K+ hung STAT…all the girls are yelling at me telling me hurry hurry hurry… I had never hung an IV bag of K+ at the time and was still trying to even figure out how their IV equipment even worked. After what seemed like an eternity I got someone to come walk through it with me and she was able to be sent on to CT. I was scared becasue I was in a hurry and I didn’t want to go do somethign I didn’t feel comfortable doing for the first time under that much pressure and stress. I have heard far too many horror stories about IV’s getting put in the wrong port and people getting a bolus rather than a drip rate. I was a nervous wreck! Well that morning when I went home from my shift I felt like crying the whole way home. The nurses on my unit are very helpful and they come and help me whenever I need it. That particular night they were all just very busy. If I ever ask a question or ask for help and I notice that fabulour eye roll or I feel like I am getting on their nerves I just tell them thank your for helping me and I have to remind them that this is still new to me. I usually mention that I would rather ask for help and get something done correctly than to do it alone and mess up and have an even bigger mess than if I woudl ahve just asked for help. They usually agree with me, smile and are more than happy to help walk me through something I am not comfortable doing…thank god! lol….AFter that terrible shift I felt hopeless…like I was never going to be able to make it. I figured I needed to come up with a routine so that this sort of night will NEVER happen again! I went home and wrote down all the things that eiher I over looked, or got behind on, or just didn’t understand well and I reviewed it. I created my own little “care plan” of what interventions I can do the next shift so that I can fix all these mishaps. This is what I came up with…

I created a little page with 6 blocks on it and I typed it up so it will be neat. I take a sharpie and put the pt.’s name and room number by each section and I made the copies on Yellow paper so it will stick out when I get a big load of papers and find myself fumbling through them. I have the time labeld on the left hand side… 2300, 0000, 0100, 0200..etc. with a line out from it I label the time everything needs to be done so I will have a quick go to guide when I get behind or confused. I also have a section saying what PRN’s have been given and what time. What their O2 is set to…what IVF’s are hanging and what rate..etc. I dread leaving stuff for the morning shift to do becasue they give your “the look” and make you feel like you didn’t do your job. And being the new kid on the block I don’ t like leaving feeling like someone else is picking up my slack. So I try to not let that happen as much as I can. My routine as of now is I clock in go get my report on my patients then I go assign each of them to me on the computer and look up everything that needs to be done on my shift for each patient. Labs, meds, xray, procedures, etc.

Once I fill that out I make my initial rounds do my assessments and pass any meds that I might have to give. I started asking them their pain scale while I’m doing my first rounds so I don’t find myself running back and forth to the med room 10 times when they call out for pain meds, or nausea meds. After I get all that done I get to my charting with hopes of getting it all done by my 3AM Chart checks. This method works great for me unless I get critical labs adn have to call the MD or heaven forbids one of my patients gets bad and needs some extra TLC. It’s those little surprises that can totally get me off track and feel stressed out. I talk to my co-workers and they all tell me my feelings are totally normal for a new nurse and that alot of them felt that way when they were new too. They always tell me it gets easier with time and once I get my “niche” I will be smooth sailing. I long for the day when I can actually go to the bathroom or sit down and have a lunch break and not feel like I am missing precious time.

How long will it be before I feel totally comfortable as a Nurse?

When does that “Reality Shock” finally wear off?

And does anyone have any tips for new nurses to help us find our “Niche”?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!!!

I work night shift so we have a little extra paperwork than the day shift does. The big stack of charts I have to go through one by one bogg me down so bad. I have a goal every night to get to them by 3AM if I can manage to sit down and start at 3 and not have interruptions I can get it done and go on and get ready to give my morning meds and make my next rounds. If not I get overwhelmed and feel like I’m not going to have time to get everything I need to get done.

Thank You!

Brittany

I have to tell all potential employers what happened (which is something I have no problem with)and am constantly getting back things along the lines of “thank you for being honest and upfront…but we don’t have the support system in place to help you”

How do I get employers to realize that although I have made errors previously (and I do tell them what I have done further along to change my practices), I am fully capable of doing the job at hand and that I would be a welcome addition to their facility/ward??

It’s getting frustrating to know that there are places screaming for nurses out there but that I, a fully capable and qualified nurse, am basically being stopped before I can show what I am capable of.

But there’s a catch: you’ll need two years experience first. Here Jeff Long,  marketing manager of Medical Solutions, a staffing company that places nurses in travel nursing jobs, talks about what you need to know and can do now to be ready for your dream job tomorrow:

Why aren’t new nurses hired for travel nursing?

This is one of the strange things about travel nursing. Nurses with the lifestyle that would allow them to travel easiest are new grads. However, a travel nursing career requires a nurse to immediately step in with less orientation than a permanent staff nurse. That’s why both hospitals and staffing companies tend to hold to a two-year experience minimum.

This works in the best interest of all involved: a hospital wants an experienced nurse, the traveling nurse doesn’t want to be in over her head, and the staffing company wants both to be happy with the match.

Is there anything new nurses can do now to prepare for a travel nursing job two years from now?

Be ready. Right now with the travel nursing job market down like it is, it is important to be organized and have all your certifications, licensures, vaccinations, etc. in one easy to access location (a three-ring binder is an easy way to do this).  And make sure everything is always up to date. Keeping these things organized is easier the sooner you start.

What areas of the country do you find more jobs than applicants?

At this time we are not seeing any area of the country with more jobs than applicants. This is due primarily to the overall shortage of jobs in the industry and the unwillingness of travelers to work wherever they can. The majority of our placements have been in the Midwest (Kansas, Texas) and California over the past six months.

What questions must new nurses ask recruiters?

Travel nurses should exhaust their recruiter with questions, but overall they should dig into six key areas:

• Housing and location
• Recruiter
• Company
• Compensation, costs, and expenses
• Benefits
• Specifics of the job he/she will be doing.

There are a lot of good resources online and books written by travel nurses with lists of questions that you should ask. These resources can expand on the six areas I mentioned.

What are the qualities of a good recruiter?

It really comes down to a relationship.

A good recruiter is not only knowledgeable about the industry, but she should be genuinely interested in you and your career. If you feel like you are being treated like a paycheck by the recruiter, then you probably are. It may take working with a couple of different recruiters to get a feel for what is a good. Sometimes you’re lucky and find a great one right off the bat.

Generally, though, you want them to be honest and up front, just as a recruiter wants that from you.  Neither of you want surprises during the assignment.

Why do nurses fail at travel nursing?

There are a variety of reasons, but the most common are:

• Homesickness;
• Preference for more stability;
• Not mentally strong enough for the challenge;
• Conflict with staff/doctors, didn’t like the hospital or area, or weren’t a good fit for the unit;
• Personal issues/events (death in the family, sickness, etc);
• Not skilled enough to hit the ground running in their modality;
• Not strong enough personality to break the ice with the perm staff or get used to being treated different from staff and management in some cases; and,
• Difficulty staying out of the hospital politics.

Do recruiters value nonprofit medical nursing experience (like mission trips, service nursing)?

Most travel agencies don’t look at volunteering as part of the two-year experience requirement, and we have never seen a hospital ask for it. While it probably does not hurt, it does not really help either. It really comes down to skills and years of experience in their specialty.

I graduated in 2007 with my BSN and passed the NCLEX. I had a few job offers before I graduated from school, but the effects of the economy eliminated those opportunities. I haven’t been picky looking for opportunities. I have been applying for any and all positions (ward clerk, nurse aid, etc.) and in all avenues (home care, long-term care, doctor offices, hospital, etc). I have had a few interviews, but have learned that the jobs are going to experienced nurses.

I have had to deal with my frustration and depression over the fact that I left a great paying job to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse and now I cannot provide for my family (I have 2 young kids). It was tough going through nursing school full-time while caring for an infant, working in a part-time office job, and dealing with a spouse who was not supportive of me leaving a great paying job for nursing.

I have decided that I am going to change my attitude…I went into nursing because I want to help and care for others. I am sad that I am not able to use my nursing skills the way I would like to right now, but I decided that I will use this “down time” to focus on me and my family.

I am taking more classes in areas of nursing that I am interested (geriatrics and mental health). I am also going to take classes to learn a new language to improve my communication skills with potential patients. I am reading journal articles to keep up with new developments. I am also volunteering with Hospice – this is my therapy. By helping others I help myself. Working with Hospice I am learning how to appreciate life more as well as prepare myself for my future.

So this is how I am dealing with my struggle with finding work. Of course, I continue to apply for jobs when I learn of openings or opportunities. I know that someday someone will see that I can be a valuable member of a health team.

Until then I have to prepare myself so when the opportunity is there I will be ready for it. Good luck to all who are struggling to find work right now! Take care!

You start pounding the pavement.  Sending out resumes.  Making calls.  Working your network.

Nothing.

You’ve got the degree, you passed the NCLEX.  No one cares.

Now what?  How do you pay the rent?  The student loans?  Let’s face it, looking for a job doesn’t bring in much of a salary.

My goal here is not to solve the job crisis, it’s just to throw out a couple of ideas.  My hope is that others will chime in with thoughts of their own and together we can move towards gainful employment for every RN looking for work.  Heaven knows we’re needed.  Just ask any patient who’s been ignored due to cuts.

First off, do whatever it takes to get a little experience under your belt.  So what if it’s not your ideal job.  My husband often complains that the new grad’s motto seems to be “I have no experience but I’m willing to start at the top.”

Well guess what.  It doesn’t work that way.

The bottom of the totem pole is the entry point for most of us in the real world.  That means nights, weekends, nursing homes, part-time, or crummy pay.  In fact, sometimes it means the combination of all of them!  The thing is, if it’s a nursing job, it builds a resume.  You don’t have to have this job for 20 years!  You only have to have it until someone else wants to hire you.

The second thing you have to do is HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE!  If the point is to find a better job after you have some experience, then you want the person’s name on your application to actually say something nice about you when HR calls.  And trust me, it will make your life so much happier if you embrace the moment and try to get the most you can out of it.

I did not love either of my first two nursing jobs.  They were both in hospitals, and I stayed less then a year at each of them.  No subsequent employer ever mentioned that it should have been longer.  I learned a ton at each of them, made some friends, and never looked back.  They just became a chapter in my story.

It wasn’t until three years after I graduated that I found my niche.  I loved Family Practice right off the bat.  The problem was it was a 2-day-a-week job.  Not exactly great for paying the bills.  But it was where I wanted to be, so I figured it out.  I did a little home health care, insurance physicals, and worked at a hospice.  I also did a boatload of babysitting and house sitting.

I scraped enough together to make a life that I enjoyed.  Eventually, I was able to go full time.  Of course, because office work doesn’t pay as well, the babysitting and house sitting continued.  But I was very happy doing what I loved.

And isn’t that the point?

Don’t throw in the towel.  Just figure it out.  There is very little chance you will find a well-paying, full-time job that you adore right off the bat.  You were willing to work hard for the degree, now you may need to work hard for the right job.  But you’ve got it in you to stick it out.

You’ve already proved that.

Now there are a bevy of responses you could come up with.  There’s the traditional response: “I want to help people!”

Then there is the spiritual response: “I felt called to it!”

I was asked this question at least a billion times during my time in college. So I came up with my own response: “I wanted to meet women!”

Guys who go into nursing get asked that question a lot! I’ll be honest.  Before nursing school, I was actually a computer science major. I quickly realized that working on computers was not for me.  I enjoyed using them as an aid, but I didn’t want to create them or build them.

So, there I was, a 19-year-old, single male with women on my mind!  And that was one thing the nursing program offered: a female-to-male ratio of 50 to 1 in some cases.  Surely, a guy like me could find a woman he cared about in that major?

As unbelievable as that sounds, that was one of the origins for why I chose nursing. But it’s not why I stuck with it.

When I went into nursing, I didn’t consider the negative stereotypes associated with male nurses. (Robert De Niro’s character in Meet the Parents did a great job insulting male nurses everywhere–and creating more of a stigma.)  Working against those stereotypes has been tiresome. But I’m glad I’ve stuck with it, because I love the profession.

I honestly want to help people. To change lives. To make a difference. To do all those things that are “cliche”–but so true.

So why did you go into nursing-and what’s keeping you in the profession?

I am an RN who has been licensed since 1990. In 2008 I got arrested for petite theft, a Class 2 misdemeanor.  I went through pre-trial diversion and later had my charges nolled processed.

I researched every day for hours trying to find peace of mind that I would regain my license.

I moved from Florida to Arizona and applied for an Arizona license. I self-reported the arrest to the board.  I was worried for months.  I had to send in the arrest record and all the court depositions; I even had to meet with a board investigator.

I was so scared and stressed for months.  I even took a voluntary drug screen for the board.

Let me tell you some good news: I got my license in Arizona with no discipline, but it took much longer than it does for most (4 months).  Follow my advice, don’t lie to the board! If you don’t self disclose then you violate the Nurse Practice Act and will at minimum get a civil penalty; this is a discipline against your license.

Always cooperate with the board and be honest. It may work out for you like it did for me.

Those were painful words to hear from a colleague after she learned that I was using my nursing degree in a new way.

For the past year, I’ve been working in Nursing Informatics at the hospital where I am employed.  It embraces where nursing is headed in the 21^st century.

I’m excited about the direction of my career-even if it isn’t where I slated it to go when I was in nursing school.

That’s why the encounter with my former colleague on the floor I once worked was so difficult.  As I shared how I was enjoying my job and that I would return to school to pursue a master’s degree in either nursing education or administration, I never expected such an acerbic response.

“What a waste!”

Now, in a way, it was a compliment because she considered me to be an astute nurse, back during my time on the unit.  But it was also sad, because even though I am advancing myself, I feel as though I have let her down in some way. That I’ve abandoned “true nursing” by not being there anymore and directly caring for the patients.

But, the truth of nursing is this: In the years to come, it will become a much harder profession, due largely to the aging of the population and the retirement of many skilled nurses. That makes it all the more imperative for nurses to advance ourselves.

What would be a true waste would be never to advance at all.

After that encounter, I was reminded that while you can’t forget your nursing roots, it’s important to follow your heart, advance professionally, and encourage other nurses to embrace their calling-even if it isn’t a traditional nursing role.