Overdone with LTC....

No worries Peacefulheart. I know that the media says that the recession hasn't hit health care but it has. I am an ICU nurse and was wanting to switch jobs and it took me forever to get a new one. I finally got one but it took calling places one-by-one. There seems to be a general slowing of everything...even hiring in health care. Be patient, spruce up your resume, and be proactive in calling these places. Everyone is just scared right now and all are slowing their actions...

How about home health or hospice? or maybe agency work just to get out of the facility you are in and away from the facility bs?

I sometimes worry about this too. I've been in LTC for about 13yrs now, but I do see a good bit of nurses getting jobs in hospitals from LTC

There used to be a 'bridge' program at the hospital here. It took nurses who hadn't worked for a while or nurses from LTC who were interested in going back to med-surg. The only nurses who ever got hired for this were the nurses who worked on the sub acute floor.

How about private duty?

I went through a "refresher" as they called it after I had been in Long Term Care for a few years in order to "update" my skills...it was not a pleasant experience for me, however I certainly did update my skills, so it served the purpose. I had not worked in a hospital since that time, and when we relocated, I was given a job at the hospital in the Emergency room- I had NEVER worked ER- but I told the Nurse Manager who interviewed me that I felt that if given the opportunity and with some patience on her part, I could learn. I focused on my previous experience and that I was willing and flexible. She took a chance on me and it turned out to be a great rewarding experience. I moved to hospital House Supervisor and then...well other things. Pardon my rambling but the point I'm trying to make, is that when you fill out an application, or on your resume cover letter, tell the prospective employer what you have to offer- focus on your strong points and your willingness to be flexible and learn...once you get that interview, be positive, but not pushy, and focus on what you can offer the facility/hospital/position you are applying for. If you say "I just had to get out of LTC" or anything negative about a previous employer, then you could blow your chance. Be confident, and positive and tell them, in a round-about way, that you are the person they are looking for! Good Luck.