Difficulty finding job from home

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi and Thank you. I am 54 with an RN 2005 and a Chiropractor degree 1995. Also, degree in Biology and a Medical Assistant since 1984.

I do not have a lot of nursing experience except Dialysis. (Kidney donor 2007). I did not have to work.

Now, I need to work but cannot physically work 12.5 hour shifts. I'm having a difficult time finding 8 hour jobs as a nurse. I'm willing to work as LPN too now.

I have been told, overqualified academically, not enough experience, apprehensive why I would want an LPN or even MA job,...

Doctors offices mostly hire medical assistants. I cannot even get into the hospital here to chat with HR about my resume and unique situation. Boy have times changed.

Does anybody have any any advice or leads? I have compact states and CA licensure.

Thanks again.

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Go to a home health agency and ask for extended care work. Shifts can be as short as four hours, usually eight hours, or you can find a situation where the shift is six or seven hours. Work it out with the employer and the client. If you really want less stress, explain your situation to the DPCS and see if they can set you up with a night shift infant respite case. You could spend a lot of time in a rocker. Since these routine care, stable patients (some) are typically at the LPN level of care, the agency may only offer you LPN pay. If you are willing to accept that, no problem. You can get your feet wet and progress from there if you wish. (While receiving LPN rate of pay, you still have to put RN after your signature, unless you actually hold an LPN license. Legal stickler).

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Thank you. Very helpful and interesting too actually. I guess I didn't articulate well but I'm mostly interested in TeleMed or TeleHealth from home. But more on a LPN level I think would be best. Thank you again.

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I've heard those types of jobs are extremely difficult to obtain. My answer was based on the assumption that you wanted to work as a nurse.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I too found myself in a position like you and being unable to work the "usual" hours. I have a BSN and 39 years experience in ICU, ER, Trauma flight, teaching, management/director., I have looked for every home triage, insurance triage, insurance home based case management. I have been told I was too experienced, over qualified, "found a better candidate" etc.....

I have asked to volunteer at local schools to assist the students in the sim labs, help with care plans, tutor for math and whatever else.

The answer was still no as I did not have a MSN.

I finally had to admit to myself that ageism and discrimination is rampant in nursing and they know how to hide it well. They do not want a 50ish year old nurse (the age when I got my heart broke) with an auto-immune disease. Being experienced I would "cost too much" and my illness is a liability. My heart was and is broken. Allnurses rescued me and I spend my time here.

Ask yourself....how many nurses have you seen using a cane or other assistive device and how many nurses have you seen in a wheelchair.

I Hate being Debbie Downer.......I hope your experience will be different.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Am I understanding the OP correctly? That while you have been an RN for 12 years, you only work experience in nursing has been in dialysis? If that's the case, then I can understand why people outside of dialysis have been reluctant to hire you. It's not necessarily age discrimination. There are simply plenty of people applying for jobs that are more qualified than you are -- people with recent professional experience in jobs related to the ones you are applying for.

If I were in your position (and I have come close to being in that position a few times), I would do a serious review of my credentials -- including my professional nursing experience and look to see how I could enhance those things. It's not realistic to think you are going to waltz into a job in a totally different specialty. Is there any way you can use any of the skills you acquired as a dialysis nurse? Have you talked with dialysis managers to see if they could use someone to help out on busy days? or at peak times? or for some unpopular shifts? ... that would get your foot in the door?

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Check United Healthcare they are about 60% work from home as is Molina. Many managed care organizations are moving to the work at home environment. Search words like telecommute.

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