how to get my job back

put in your application , and just explain to them you missed the place and want to come back....

Irish, I get the feeling that you are a personable individual and that is why the sterility of a dry red-tape rehire process seems unappealing to you.
I would be willing to bet that you forged relationships while at this job.
Approaching one or more of these individuals may be a more palatable approach for you even if all those persons can do is put in a good word for you to H.R.
Go back Irish, where you were happy ; they miss you too.

If you left on good terms (i.e., they didn't flag you as a non-rehire), just go and apply and say that you'd like to work there again. After all, you have nothing to lose!

However, don't hold out too much hope that your old job is still available, especially with the glut of new grads as well as experienced nurses looking for work. They may be willing to take you back, but they may not be willing to remove your replacement so you can have the old job back....so you might have to settle for a different job than the one you originally worked.

Good luck!

Oh yeah...I did once ask for an old non-nursing job back, and I got it.

I had done a good job the first time I was working there, and had left on good terms--I wanted to try something new. When I reapplied, I told my old boss that I really enjoyed working there and wasn't happy with my current job so I wanted to come back. When I had applied, there was a vacancy on the floor, so my old boss was able to hire me in one department, then transfer me back to my original department.

If there wasn't a vacancy, I don't know if I would have been hired as quickly, if at all.