Any legit job websites?

chances-r · Jul 21, 2010

I scour the paper daily, but are there any GOOD online sites that have job leads? Good ones? In OK, while in the peer program I can not do Home Health, work between hours of midnight and 5 AM, and can't pass narcs for 1st 6 months (also, if we get a nursing job that does not have any narcs involved, we have to be in the program LONGER...as in the full 5 years instead of the minimum of two). We also can not work for a nursing agency.
I can't seem to find any online that aren't agencies or travel RN positions. Good website addy's would be greatly appreciated!
It is very hard to find work. my Uncle is a DON and can't even find anyone who would be willing to take on a peer RN (he knows a lot of people, even people on the board), and he can't hire me because he has all LPNs, he isn't always there, and I have to have an RN on my floor at all times. Plus, we don't want peer to have any reason to think i may be "getting away" with anything beause I am working for family

To luvche, I see there are no posts for you. Do we not care ?? Nope. Lets get real, bring in the 500 lb gorilla...... Your uncle is a DON and knows people on the board = BFD. Everyone here has been sucking the bottom of the drain for years. We are bankrupt, foreclosed,humiliated, innocent or guilty. The only thing we all have in common is faith in our sobriety and destination. I don't have an uncle to help me, I can't work for an agency. And HINT/HINT - if you don't want "peer" to think you are getting away with anything : DO WHAT YOUR CONTRACT TELLS YOU TO DO. It's simple, you might not like where you are at but you have have a chance to prove yourself. If you want a job go get one. I did. You are a nurse with integrity and dignity?Fight for yourself- but don't ever expect anyone to give you a free pass. How long did you work for your license ? Keep working.

luvche · Jul 21, 2010

I really don't know what I wrote to get what seems like a heated reply. I wrote about my Uncle as a illistration of how hard it is for a peer nurse to get work out here, even one who has relatives/friends who are in good positions.

I HAVE DONE WHAT MY CONTRACT TELLS ME! I do exactly what I am supposed to do, to the letter. I never ONCE asked ANYONE to give me any free passes. I have been sending resumes, applications, and going to interviews almost non-stop for 7 months.

I never said anything about trying to get away with anything with peer. If you would actually READ what I wrote: I said in the end, It would not be a good idea to work somewhere where a family member is a supervisor, as I would not even want a CHANCE that it would be thought he was not doing what he was supposed to be doing aas a supervisor or anyone to ever get into a snit and try to say he is letting me get away with things, being a family member, that other peer nurses can NOT do. (because you know nurses can get catty and devious....as you have VERY much proven by an absolutely heated, kinda rude reply to my post). I wasn't saying it to sound above anyone, special, or entitled AT ALL (but if it that's what it looks like, as you imply...my guess is you need to look at why it makes you feel that way...when it was a simple illustration of what nurses in recovery go through. Even with possible connections)

All I am simply asking for is if anyone knows of any legitimate online job sites that have had good listings on them. It's called helping and networking. We learn to help and network with each other and other nurses this way in peer.

I have seen other threads asking if anyone knows of any places hiring out there. I simply ask if anyone has found helpful websites, describe my situation (a familiar one to many, no doubt), and I such a reply.

(Don't get all huffy, as if I don't know what it's like to struggle. I know what it's like to scrape bottom too, thank you. A job, right now, that pays too much for me to get assistance, yet not enough to have enough food to eat for me and my son. Not enough to afford an apartment or utilities if I could get one. Sleeping on a gross fold out couch at a friends house.)

I have worked very hard to stay sober for the last 13 months, never once slipping, and never nce regretting my decision to self report and get help. I thought I found a board that was full of the same. From what I saw, many have asked a similar question to me, but I can't find the reply I saw on another thread that had some good online job ads on there. You say "keep working", I do. My CM is always impressed by how I have trudged forward, stayed employed (even takig a job bagging groceries at one point) and continue to go to interviews to places I even KNOW have flat out denied peer nurses.

So again, if anyone knows of any legitimate employment websites that have been helpful in the past, I am looking for more avenues. Rude replys from people who have totally missed the mark are not needed

chances-r · Jul 21, 2010

I really don't know what I wrote to get what seems like a heated reply. I wrote about my Uncle as a illistration of how hard it is for a peer nurse to get work out here, even one who has relatives/friends who are in good positions.
I HAVE DONE WHAT MY CONTRACT TELLS ME! I do exactly what I am supposed to do, to the letter. I never ONCE asked ANYONE to give me any free passes. I have been sending resumes, applications, and going to interviews almost non-stop for 7 months.
I never said anything about trying to get away with anything with peer. If you would actually READ what I wrote: I said in the end, It would not be a good idea to work somewhere where a family member is a supervisor, as I would not even want a CHANCE that it would be thought he was not doing what he was supposed to be doing aas a supervisor or anyone to ever get into a snit and try to say he is letting me get away with things, being a family member, that other peer nurses can NOT do. (because you know nurses can get catty and devious....as you have VERY much proven by an absolutely heated, kinda rude reply to my post). I wasn't saying it to sound above anyone, special, or entitled AT ALL (but if it that's what it looks like, as you imply...my guess is you need to look at why it makes you feel that way...when it was a simple illustration of what nurses in recovery go through. Even with possible connections)
All I am simply asking for is if anyone knows of any legitimate online job sites that have had good listings on them. It's called helping and networking. We learn to help and network with each other and other nurses this way in peer.
I have seen other threads asking if anyone knows of any places hiring out there. I simply ask if anyone has found helpful websites, describe my situation (a familiar one to many, no doubt), and I such a reply.
(Don't get all huffy, as if I don't know what it's like to struggle. I know what it's like to scrape bottom too, thank you. A job, right now, that pays too much for me to get assistance, yet not enough to have enough food to eat for me and my son. Not enough to afford an apartment or utilities if I could get one. Sleeping on a gross fold out couch at a friends house.)
I have worked very hard to stay sober for the last 13 months, never once slipping, and never nce regretting my decision to self report and get help. I thought I found a board that was full of the same. From what I saw, many have asked a similar question to me, but I can't find the reply I saw on another thread that had some good online job ads on there. You say "keep working", I do. My CM is always impressed by how I have trudged forward, stayed employed (even takig a job bagging groceries at one point) and continue to go to interviews to places I even KNOW have flat out denied peer nurses.
So again, if anyone knows of any legitimate employment websites that have been helpful in the past, I am looking for more avenues. Rude replys from people who have totally missed the mark are not needed

Yow ! Luvche .... I feel like sticking a pencil in my eye. I'm truly sorry ....... you post looking for help and I give you a hard time. If you will forgive me for being an ass - let's try this again.

I found a site called Oodle - it has all kinds of stuff but go to the Jobs link . Click on Healthcare and then your city or zipcode. You can tweak it for Registered Nurse to eliminate other healthcare jobs. You can adjust the listings by date posted and distance. Where I live they had 100's of jobs. Another web-search is called Indeed. Also try juju.com lots of nursing jobs. With Monster.com they want your resume - I don't want my information all over the web so I don't go there.

Hope this helps .... gotta go to my meeting but might have more tips.

luvche · Jul 21, 2010

why THANK YOU Chances, lol! See how easy I am to get along with? LOL! :lol2:

RNZenpeaceful · Jul 22, 2010

I am in the Pa Disciplinary Monitoring Unit for narcotic diversion, with a 3 year probation period. Right now, I have 15 more months to go. It took me over a year to find a job in nursing because no one would consider me, even with 23 years of critical care, ER, IV team, school nursing, critical care transport, pediatric , psychiatric experience (and more..) I finally realized that I had to apply where many nurses, for whatever reason, would not apply. I did try several nursing homes, but not one returned my callls after the interview (which always went wonderfully well, until the end where I revealed my "on probation" status). I was finallly hired at a dialysis clinic in the poorest part of the city-one that had the reputation as being a very difficult place to work. I have never worked so hard in my life for so little money! I end up working as a dialysis tech on many days, because of the high frequency of call-outs and the terrible staffing ratios. I work 18 hour days and often get maybe a 10 minute break..enough time to use the bathroom and drink something quickly...AT first, I really hated it because some of the patients and several of the techs were just miserable, but gradually, I have come to like it more, although I can't say I LOVE it! The pay is a miserly $30.00/hour and the Facility Administrator makes sure that no one works overtime b/c she does not want to pay overtime wages. (by the way, my last job at the hospital where I worked for over 20 years paid $37.00/hour base pay, meaning day shift, Monday through Friday, with more for shift differential and weekends..)

Howver, I did what I did (diverted narcotics) and I finally accepted my situation for what it is, and I am trying to be the best I can be & remain positive every day....Also, I am so paranoid that I wil be fired for some reason relating to being on probation that I cannot ever relax , which has resulted in the FA taking me aside and praising me for my hard work...(but she cannot offer me a raise in pay? I'm not sure why!)

Anyhow, hang in there-I applied to something like 100 hospitals and nursing homes before I found somewhere that was willing to take a chance....by the way, certain hospitals will consider nurses who are "on-probation" -I found out which ones by attending Professional Peer Group meetings as part of the terms and conditions of my agreement with the DMH. In my area, the nice suburban hsopitals that are close to my home would not hire me, but apparently the hsopitals in the inner-city would (if there are any job vacancies to begin with-there were not in this are because of the recession).

Good luck and keep trying-someone will hire you!

june2009 · Jul 22, 2010

I feel your pain as well. I've just received permission from my case manager to return to work, with the restrictions listed in my contract. No doctor's offices, no agency, no home health, hospice, O.R., critical care, E.R., cath lab, or as a supervisor. With that being said, it still leaves a lot of different employment opportunities open to me, psych nursing, med-surg, nursing homes, dialysis, pediatrics, lots of others. I have to say that I use the same sites as chances-r, and I apply for the jobs that have been listed and relisted over and over because that probably means that no one else wants them.

It's very hard trying to get a job as an RN in recovery. I'm not even in the PA DMU. I'm just part of PHMP. but I take full responsibility for my my actions. I diverted narcotics and now I must deal with the consequences. I hope you have some luck in your job search. I look at it this way, it might take me a long time to find a job, but that's because there may be a job out there I was meant to have that hasn't come available yet. Until then, Wal-mart here I come!

luvche · Jul 22, 2010

The pay is a miserly $30.00/hour and the Facility Administrator makes sure that no one works overtime b/c she does not want to pay overtime wages.

That's actually pretty decent pay where I live! lol! The nursing homes pay better than hospitals, in general, and you start at about High 20s an hour with my experience. I even told places I would take LPN pay (since a lot of the nursing homes just don't have the budget to have 2 RNs on the floor, and I have to have another RN on floor with me) I also hate when they say "you have an impressive resume for how little time you've been an RN". They all seem eager to have my skills. Until the part about peer. Even then, the act as if i still have a chance. But when i don't hear and follow up it's always "we just don't have enough supervisors"

Some (sorta) good new is: yesterday I talked to my manager about how I am in peer and what it was. They need intermittant RN help here. Not enough for full time. They have to bring in a contract nurse every now and then when they need it. So we worked out where they are making an RN position for me. 16 hours a week (I would just be a lab assistant like I am doing now the other 26 hours). I get no more pay BUT I am helping them with their needs and they are helping me meet my 1 year of supervised nursing requirement to get out. There is a CNS and MD here willing to supervise. My CM said they'd approve it.

So I will continue to be broke, but at least now I will be (finally) out in a year. Who knows. By then they may need an actual nurse position. Maybe I can build this position up and this might be a place I stay for a long time.

If something else comes along, I will be thrilled. But at least now, I can chill on the constant job search for a little bit and just enjoy my job!

MizChelleRN · Jul 22, 2010

I wanted to offer up Indeed.com, I've had pretty good luck there. I agree, Monster and the like aren't doing much for my search. Will go search the others mentioned after this, so thank you.

My case worker(I'm in Ohio by the way) said like 75% of her case load, the nurse got a second chance to work for the company he/she diverted from, depending how you left there and the big picture. For me, my facility was sympathetic and kind when I got "caught"...even encouraged me to clean up and come back. Then legally, I wasn't allowed contact with the "victim" in my case...i got the drug court program and actually graduated from it here in June 2010 (WOOT! Felony expunged/sealed) So I've considered going back there, but honestly, my sobriety comes FIRST FIRST FIRST and I'm not sure that place is the best thing for my sobriety, although I could possibly work in a different department? Anyhooo....I do want to tell this story....

Davita is the local big name in dialysis in my area. I feel dialysis is a verrrry recovery friendly area, not to mention my entire career was med-surg RENAL (I did CAPD and took care of the hemodialysis patients on the floor) I got through the interview, the job shadowing, the second interview, got the offer (WOOT, right? waaaait for it) got the position and the contract approved through the BON, signed the contract, was in talks about start date and going away to training....and got caught up in the background check. I was up front and COMPLETELY honest about EVERY single detail of my history, and I still came across as the best person for the job, the clinical manager LOVED me, and was willing to give me that chance. Anyhow, a week into waiting for the drug screen and background check to come through, someone from corporate in COLORADO called to ask me a few questions about my history, I told them EVERYTHING (again, still have nothing to hide, am upfront and honest about everything), faxed everything I could find about what was what, but was told my "case" would have to go before "a committee" to approve employment....TWO WEEKS later (last friday) I was told the committee decided NOT to move forward with the on-boarding process and really did not give me a better reason why not. I was too dumb founded to ask. I am considering calling back and getting some real answers. (got the "we just wanted to keep our option open and search out another candidate, blah blah blah) The manager that interviewed me and wanted me (locally) has been on vacation this week and we haven't been in touch since I heard that from corporate.

I dunno why I felt that story was pertinent to post in this thread, just that I need to vent about it, maybe get some support or feedback about it, or just to commiserate that it is indeed very difficult to find a job with a restricted license. Not to mention that I felt dialysis would be a great fit for me, with my history and for my sobriety, yet the biggest name in dialysis around here is cutting me off at the corporate level and is leaving me bitter and anxious.

The 12 step answer, and the answer I know to be true...is that God will help connect you with where you need to be, at the time you need to be there. May not be on your own time, but His time. I do believe I am meant to be a nurse, or possibly I wouldn't have been given the second chances I've been given (the drug court program to clear my criminal background, the Ohio BON Alternative program to clear my nursing license)...Maybe I have an unresolved issue somewhere (more will be revealed) and God doesn't feel I'm ready to be back in practice yet. Maybe the opening I am waiting for hasn't opened up yet. Again....all is just the way it is supposed to be. Not my way or my plan, but in His plan. Every door that closes (even the heartbreaking disappointment I described above)...another window will open.

Let me bring this up too...I'm getting way off tangent here, but I'm on a roll so stay with me here...we, as nurses in recovery, place WAY too much importance on our CAREERS as part of our identities. I am so much more than a nurse. I am a beautiful and special person just because I am. I used to think that I was only important or special because I am a damn good nurse. But I have to remember I am so much more than that. And that becasuse I am struggling today to get my career back on track does not mean I am a loser, a failure, a ****up, and all those self degrading things my disease is trying to get me to believe. I feel better having said that out loud too.

God bless all my fellow nurses in recovery. I love you all, sight unseen. ~michelle Y. sober since 4/17/2009

catmom1, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2010

I have had excellent luck using the site called "Simplyhired." Not only can you do the manual searches previously described for the indeed.com site, but you can set up email alerts. The simplyhired website is actually a meta-search engine that searches many, many sites for the job type and or keyword you specify.

I must confess that I get a little irked with folks who complain about a 3 year confidential program that allows them an unblemished license if they complete the program. My state has no such alternative to discipline and generally imposes a mandatory 5 year contract which includes one year of no-narc administration. Afterwards, the disciplinary history is permanently visible to anyone who cares to look.

Also, $30/hr is handsome pay where I come from.

Catmom :paw:

MizChelleRN · Jul 23, 2010

"I must confess that I get a little irked with folks who complain about a 3 year confidential program that allows them an unblemished license if they complete the program. My state has no such alternative to discipline and generally imposes a mandatory 5 year contract which includes one year of no-narc administration. Afterwards, the disciplinary history is permanently visible to anyone who cares to look."

I agree with this 1,000,000,000%....I know that I am blessed with such a program, I just KNOW it. I actually don't even know any other nurses around here that got it and I did....I know SEVERAL nurses who just have to deal with the discipline against their license.

In fact, and this is NOT meant to be a shameless brag, I got a million times lucky even though at the begining I thought my life was OVER. I actually got legally the CHANCE program....which was the drug court program for ppl facing nonviolent felony charges (I had one count F4 theft of drugs for diversion, which was generous, ONE COUNT? omgggg it was so much more than one time) It took me a year and it was DIFFICULT. Forced probation, intensive therapy groups with ppl who don't really want to be clean or sober, probation officers, home visits, daily screens, community service, therapy assignments/journals, curfews, not being allowed out of the county for one year, being spoken to harshly by probation officers, judges, magistrates, weekly court visits, random weekend screening, 2 AA meetings a week, well I could go on and on...(and have) but I never once thought ANYONE asked to me to do ANYTHING that I shouldn't have been doing anyways. It was NEVER unreasonable.

Same for the Alternative program, no one is asking me to do anything I deem "unreasonable"...and the outcome is a clean unblemished license. In three more years, my entire experience and record, legal and professional, will be completely free and clear. God is so good. I have learned so much about humility and gratitude.

Don't know why your post triggered me to get all mushy, but I agree, I have little patience for ppl who can't see a gift for what it is. :) Love you all~~~~~ michelle

luvche · Jul 23, 2010

Thank you both!

In OK, if you are ordered by the board to go to peer, it will be on your license. If you go voluntarily (as in self-report) it will not be on your nursing record (though i am sure there are exceptions to this).

Anyway, I am reminded of my story. I got hired 3 weeks after getting OK to start supervised nursing. I was honest, up front. The place said they have worked with peer nurses MANY times over last several years. i put on my application that I can't give narcs for 6 months, etc. They even signed my peer contract (that states ALL my rules and limitations). All i had to wait for was my CM to give the final blessing after calling the facility.

WELL, my CM calls me and says "they said they didn't know that you can't give narcotics, and can't use you". Whaaat? After I 1) explained all that, and it was not only on my application but also in the contract they SIGNED and 2)they said they have worked with peer nurses and are familiar with our rules?

So I call them and leave many messages. They finally have an assistant call me to say that they just recently switched from CMA's giving all meds to Nurses giving their own and that it has NOT been an easy transition at all and that having to have another RN be responsible for not only her own meds but my narcotics would be "too much" while in this process.

I told her "You know, I was hired. I did all my new employee paperwork too. I also turned down two other promising interviews because I was HIRED HERE....do you realize that for a peer nurse, two interviews is the equivalent of about 10 because it's hard to get one?" She told me try again in a few months when the new system has been in place longer.

grrrrrrr! I was happy and excited and ready to not be in debt, and nurse again, and start my year of supervised nursing so I can finally be OUT of peer. (Look, I am still a little peeved!)

This facility has both a nuring home side and LTC side. This was for nursing home side. Since then i know 3 peer RNs hired to the other side (I have applied for BOTH 3 times) and I can't even get them to call me back (even though they said they saw that I was a great nurse and that's why they were comfortable hiring me, and that they believe in second chances)

grrrrrrr (again!)