Advice on how to get back into a hospital?

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jan 18, 2013

Probably need to take a refresher course. Do you have any friends that work in NICU's that could talk to their managers? Networking would be the other path to take.

dspacc · Jan 18, 2013

Yes In fact, my old nurse managers Know the nurse mangager i interviewed with. They recommended me to contact her. Eventually she interviewed me and even with solid references from multiple nurse managers, I did not get the job. Another hospital same thing. I interviewed, and they said i was out of the hospital over 4 years. Do you think a refresher course would actually help getting hired? It is quite expensive, about 2,000. I woulnt mind doing it, however, it looks like the hosptials want 'recent" experience.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jan 18, 2013

I think you should cal those managers and ask them what they would want. Can't hurt too ask!

Nurse ABC · Jan 18, 2013

Don't give up! I was out of the hospital for 19 yrs and got back in! Ten of those I didn't even work at all. Five years prior to getting back in all I did was sub as a school nurse. We don't have refresher courses even remotely close to us so I didn't do that. Actually I worked one summer in the OR and hated it so I quit and was re-hired for med-surg 9 months later! I don't know why. I do have my BSN and great references. Our hospital definately does not discriminate on age-they hire more older people than younger. I live in a more rural area though so the competition is not as fierce as other areas. Keep networking and definately ask the managers what you can do to make yourself more hireable and if a nurse refresher course would help. If they say you just weren't right for the position then it may be the way you came across in the interview and look at interviewing tips. I read up on how to have a great resume and interview. Good luck and keep trying!

Nurse ABC · Jan 18, 2013

Also, you may consider trying for less desirable positions like med-surg to get your foot in the door. There's a lot of competition for the NICU and a lot of student nurses intern in there and get hired right after they graduate so they already have some experience in there.

elprup, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

Thos of us who graduated in 2008 are having the same problem of not having been able to get our foot in the door to acute care and have been stuck in positions because we do not have the acute care experience. I keep the faith and keep trying (ACLS, now looking at TNCC, applied to refresher program, and continue to volunteer while I work and keep applying). Something has to give soon...or I will move again.

dspacc · Jan 19, 2013

I see it is a common issue amoung nurses now. I graduated in 1995. I worked in a hospital on long island from 1995-2008. I left after my children were born. At that time, it was not too difficult to get a job. I did also work for a pediatric home care case, since 2002. So I have not had a lapse in nursing job. So currently i work in pediatric home care. I am desperately trying to get back into a hosptial setting. I interviewed at 2 hosptials for the NICU only to be turned down due to the reason of being out of the hospital for 4 years.
Apparenlty, hospitals do not see the homecare as being current experience.
Has anyone had similar experiences? I am pretty much devestated that i will not be able to wowrk in a hospital again.
If anyone has advice I would love to hear your story and how you were able to re-enter the hospital setting

Unfortunately I have spoken a great length with my old nurse manager from the NICU. she is definitly giving me pointers on how to go about gettting a job, howeverk, she is honest enough to tell me the market is super saturated and most places will not even LOOK at me since i do not have "recent" experience in a hospital. ( i had 13 years NICU until 2008)

I have applied to every postion available at all hosptials that would fit my need (PEDS, NICU mother baby) and nothing!!

I think it really also may be a NY thing, where our market is so saturated with nurses.

My manager is honest, and tells me it will not be easy at all to get a job in a hospital. even my old unit will not hire me back because i have been out for almost 5 years now.

It is a horrible situation to be in as a nurse, to have 17 years experience, never left the field and yet cant get a job in a hospital.

I wanted to hear from other nurses with similar situations.

Im debating taking a nurse refresher. Even though i have been in pediatric homecare, they do not consider this "experience"

dspacc · Jan 19, 2013

I have also tried that. apply all over to all different postitions hoping to score anything in acute care. nothing so far. They dont even consider me.

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 19, 2013

Many, including myself, are in the same boat. I've taken an expensive "refresher course." It was a waste of money, as far as being considered for employment. With the fable of "nursing shortage" being portrayed in the media, fostered by professional nursing organizations, state and federal governments, with nursing schools pumping out new grads that can't find jobs, nurses pouring in from other countries, facilities hiring more and more "part time" workers that are desperate for shifts (but have CURRENT experience), I don't see most of us getting positions without some "insider" help. Best wishes, truly.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2013

have you tried a rural hospital first? See if you can get a job in the area you want in a job futher out for 6 months then reapply. Even if that means that you have to drive over an hour each way.

good luck

livtek · Jan 20, 2013

Okay, I was in the same position, just one month ago. I have just got hired at Children's Hospital. Maybe do the same what I did:

1. Apply for CPN you will qualify ( hospitals like certifications, plus you must have BSN.); get PALS.

2. I did Case management at Peds Home Health and PDN.

3. Applied for Case Management at the hospital Part-time ( apply only Part-time, it is easier to get in).

4. It is good to know someone from inside or networking

5. Sign for all the conferences and meetings at your hospital you want to work for.

It will take 3 to 6 weeks, but it worked.

In addition, I have listened to Donna Cardillo CD about interviews and hiring. I cracked the interview you with flying colors. They were so impressed!!

Show them you are willing to learn and will do anything.