Am I always going to have to battle this????

luvmy2angels · Jun 29, 2006

well, 12 years is a long time. have you at least worked in the nursing field since then?? I'm sure they will inquire what you have done for the past 12 years. When i went for my interview they asked me why i hadn't worked anywhere since I graduated and it was only 4 months!! I didn't tell them that i had accepted a job at a hospital and it turned out to be HORRIBLE!! I got the job anyways.

One question...where are you applying?? Are you concentrating on a specific area such as hospitals or Dr office?? Have you tried nursing homes??

Good Luck to you Amy, and congrats on passing your boards!!

Lisky90 · Jun 29, 2006

I think that would depend on why that was the case. Formerly working in mgmt, I can tell you that that would be a completely legitimate question and quite honestly you should be prepared to answer it - I'm betting that you will encounter that question whereever you apply and/or interview. It is not the norm for someone to wait that long. But, if you can put a positive spin on your explanation and answer calmly you should be fine. You're human, they're human and things happen - keep it simple; every detail does not need to be disclosed if the reason was something messy or negative. Best of luck to you.

DONN · Jun 29, 2006

Im going to be blunt here so I apologize right up front for what Im going to say. As someone who was in management (in a different field) there is virtually no way I would hire you for a nursing job. Lets face facts, your skills,which were only marginally developed while you wee in school, are now gone. There is no way that you would still be able to say with dead certainty that you have retained anything that you learned in school as far as; treatments, drug knowledge, physical assessment, etc.. I have seen RN's that have been out of the workforce for a couple of years and they struggle with the basics especially if they are in the hospital setting. Frankly you are to commended for passing the NCLEX but this job requires that you maintain and improve your skills on a daily basis. You are an RN but its like an NFL quarterback, even though you still feel like you can do the job, its dam hard to get back out on the field after long absence, and even harder to make a go of it once you get there. Why not try a doctors office or some setting where you can reacquire those long forgotten clinical skills then strike out from there.... sorry if this seem insensitive but I think you already knew what to expect before you posted on this board. Good luck

AmyD_RN · Jun 29, 2006

Yup I did know what to expect, just fustrating sometimes, but I just went on my first interview along with the 2nd and 3rd all in a matter of 3 hours. I think I have the job if I want it in an ED at a local hospital , they have great training and I am excited but will still have to think it over. I am just glad that not all mgr's think alike, there must have been something in me they saw that they liked! thanks for all the advice and HONEST opinions!

AmyD RN (future ER RN?)

DONN · Jun 29, 2006

Good for you. My advice from here is: keep your eyes open and DEMAND a significant orientation of at least a couple of months. You are going into one of the hardest places to practice so you will need all the training you can get. Now go get em....................................

AmyD_RN · Jun 29, 2006

yup it would be 3 mo minimum unless I desire more plus intense critical care classes they send you to. dedicated preceptors with previous experience training and only have one yougo with not several.

Is there anything else I should ask or make sure of???

AmyD RN

Lisky90 · Jun 29, 2006

Hi Amy

Just wanted to tell you that I'm very excited for you. You're right...there must have been something they saw in you...probably many things, that made them think that you were right for the job. I hope what I said didn't come across as rude. My point was that the lapse in time was sure to come up in an interview but, with a simple answer it could be dealt with. If was something that did come up you must have handled it well- I said before and I'll say it again, we're all human. I hope all turns out well with whatever your decision is...looking forward to hearing and chatting about all the experiences that will come up within the next year. I am switching careers completely...nursing is a whole new experience for me and I think it will be great to have this board as support. Looking forward to hearing what you decide...congratulations, on what will hopefully turn out to be a successful day.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 29, 2006

Definitely stay away from physicians' offices and nursing homes at this point. You need soemthing with a very strong orientation program, and you will not get it with those other two choices.

DONN · Jun 29, 2006

Just make sure you are ready to be on your own when the time comes. If you dont feel ready ask for more time, after all they are willing to work with you so obviously the potential is there or they wouldnt be interested in you in the first place.Good luck and let us know how you are progressing from time to time...

AmyD_RN · Jun 30, 2006

Well I got offered the job, totally a God thing. Got the interview within 3 days of sending in app. had 1st, 2nd and 3rd interview within 3 hours and got the job offer 4hours later. Totally wild! Now what do I do?..........LOL

Lisky90 · Jun 30, 2006

That is such great news!!! You must have really wow'd them. Have you decided what you will do? Looking forward to hearing your decision. Congratulations!!!