Is anyone else having trouble finding work?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

The company I worked for closed down a coouple of months ago. It was a high risk case management company to save money by educating frequent flyers on disease process etc to save the advantage plan money. The advantage plan got nevvous about the healthcare law/Tax (whatever you wanna call it) and pulled the contract, hence we shut down as it was our major contract. The company was based out of Birmingham, Al.

I live in Mobile, AL. There has never been a nursing shortage in my city as we have 6 nursing schools here in a 250,000 population. Mobile is a medical community with a huge medical school. The abundance of nursing schools also drives the pay rate for nurses down as well.

Anyway, I am a WOCN, an RN with a BSN with 25 years worth of education and experience behind me including a masters degree. I have never had a hard time finding a job, and they always fell into my lap the second I started looking. I have worked outside of ET Nursing with exp in education, case mgt, and now taking a course to become an OSHA trainer to add to my resume.

I have been out of work 2 months and I apply online and it is like they disappear into cyber-world! Nothing even listed in the paper last week. I am on unemployment but at $250 a week, I am sinking fast. I am single with a house/paid for, thank goodness but taking in a room mate next month to help.

I am wondering if any other states/cities are experiencing a shortage of jobs to even apply for?

I realize the unkown as far a taxes for next year is keeping hiring down, and in healthcare, the unknown as far as reimbursement due to the healthcare tax being up in the air may also be contributing.

Anyway, just wondering if I may need to move. I have never found myself in this position before.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the general discussion forum

If you do a search I think you will find many many others in a similar boat as you. Good luck and I hope you find something soon

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in AZ in a smaller town and still look for work since last summer. I am a new grad though. However, I own some rental property and in 10 years never had any problems. Now I am forced to start eviction pretty soon. It is bad out there.

I am amazed that you only receive 250 a week. I never applied for unemployment here since I was always self employed. But way back in Germany where I am from, our unemployment money was enough to pay the bills.

Good luck and I feel for you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you had any luck in the last two months finding work?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I can empathize with the nurse who has over 20 yrs. experience with a Bachelors and a Masters. I am having the exact same problem. I have been looking for over 6 months and sending out many resume with emails. I often receive no reply other than an email note saying resume received--thanks. There seems to be tons of partime or per diem listings. Employers want you but don't want to pay for benefts seems to be the problem. I'm on unemployment now and having problems with that. I should have opted for direct deposit from the beginning, but once on it I was getting a check right on time 2 days after applying for my weekly benefit. That was until last week, when it never arrived (that was the week the Northeast had that big blizzard) so probably now lost in the mail. So now I'm minus $500! How can I pay rent, since I depended on that to come up with enough. On top of that I went to apply this A.M. for my weekly benefit as always and found out it was about $200 less than before, and they claimed my initial benefit claim was now finished!! I was to have 4 more benefit checks before I had to apply for extension benefits. So now I have to go in first thing tomorrow to an office near me to straighten it all out. What a mess!! Never expected this to happen. It is the 1st time on unemployment, since before always got a job within a month or so. NOT THE BEST WAY TO START A NEW YEAR:eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel your PAIN!! I have been a nurse for over 20 years with a wide range of experience. I cant find anything except part time. The part time keeps decreasing too. I never thought I would have trouble finding work. There is no nursing shortage!!!!!!! (not in Indiana anyway) The last interview I had I was asked my minimum salary requirement. I went as low as I could go!!! Im thinking of looking into another field. Any ideas???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just recently had some luck. As a new grad, I have put in hundreds of applications. I am currently working a hard job in LTC. I never dreamed I would handle the number of residents that I do. --I offered to help some of my classmates get a job at my facility, but several would not even apply after they heard about my workload. I think it has helped to have the LTC experience as now I have some interest from employers.

I apply to jobs most days of the week, definitely when I am off, and even after work when I am tired. I also put out cold calls from time to time. A cold call is actually what got me my first job --the position was not advertised and they did not have online applications. I was told to come by the facility and apply.

I think we are in very difficult economic times. I think it is hard all over the nation.

P.S. - I am working for less pay than I wanted... but it's good to have a job. I am also earning less than my classmates (in my current job).

I hope you find something soon. I would not move without a job. It is hard all over from what I can tell.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The company I worked for closed down a coouple of months ago. It was a high risk case management company to save money by educating frequent flyers on disease process etc to save the advantage plan money. The advantage plan got nevvous about the healthcare law/Tax (whatever you wanna call it) and pulled the contract, hence we shut down as it was our major contract. The company was based out of Birmingham, Al.

I live in Mobile, AL. There has never been a nursing shortage in my city as we have 6 nursing schools here in a 250,000 population. Mobile is a medical community with a huge medical school. The abundance of nursing schools also drives the pay rate for nurses down as well.

Anyway, I am a WOCN, an RN with a BSN with 25 years worth of education and experience behind me including a masters degree. I have never had a hard time finding a job, and they always fell into my lap the second I started looking. I have worked outside of ET Nursing with exp in education, case mgt, and now taking a course to become an OSHA trainer to add to my resume.

I have been out of work 2 months and I apply online and it is like they disappear into cyber-world! Nothing even listed in the paper last week. I am on unemployment but at $250 a week, I am sinking fast. I am single with a house/paid for, thank goodness but taking in a room mate next month to help.

I am wondering if any other states/cities are experiencing a shortage of jobs to even apply for?

I realize the unkown as far a taxes for next year is keeping hiring down, and in healthcare, the unknown as far as reimbursement due to the healthcare tax being up in the air may also be contributing.

Anyway, just wondering if I may need to move. I have never found myself in this position before.

I worked in acute care in a hospital for 16 years. Then I moved to a city an hour drive away to move in with my fiance, took a job in an outpatient facility as a PACU nurse. I had that job for 7 months and was terminated without cause or reason. I have been collecting unemployment since Oct. and have been unsuccessful in my job search. I've been turned down after every interview, and now even agencies can't place me because I've been out of inpatient hospital work for a year now. I'm 58 years old. At first I was told it was due to hiring freezes before the holidays, and now it's because I've been out of work too long. I also smell the rat of age discrimination. I have a BSN, not at all interested in going back to school at my age...can't afford it anyway. All I want is a job. Any suggestions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have good news for you!

WOCNs are in very high demand in the legal world, as there are many lawsuits about nursing home care residents who develop pressure ulcers, and questions about mismanaged wound VACs. You can work from home, too.

Strongly suggest you hook up with your local legal nurse consulting chapter (AALNC) and learn how to market yourself as a nursing expert in that arena. You'll get work, and it pays a damn sight more than anything else you'll ever get in nursing! (PM me too)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ha ha Grntea ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment