Burned out and looking for job

[calhirn]

I am an older RN, working for about 30 years. Recently had to quit My job or be FIRED. Out of work for Over a MONTH and can´t find work. Even temp agencies aré requiring more recent experience to work in Any field. I have multitude of experience in númerous Specialties but these days they want you to be specialized with a certifícate in everything. I love Correctional nursing and have tríes to get back into That but told they want one year recent med surg experience. Even tried applying for SNF and they want nurse who has That experience. I see other younger Nurses getting positions with less experience. I have applied at hospitals but never hear back. Applied and interviewed for State positions and was not Offers positions. That whole interview process is different than other interviews, they don`t ask The standard interview questions. Going from ER to Urgent Care pretty much screwed me for Any further work oportunities. Any one have Any suggestions

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

Can you relocate? If your area is saturated, moving somewhere else might make it more likely for you to find a job. Good luck!

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

Wow. These is what it's like to be an "older" nurse in today's nursing market. Longevity and holding a job for many years is not an advantage. Demands for recent experience in the particular specialty, Clinical nursing ladders that specifically advertise for RN 1, or 2, Numerous certifications, basic life support is not enough anymore....

I suspect if you look, you may have more certifications, qualifications and educational credits that you may not be giving yourself credit for. I contacted a professional resume writer and provided them with quite a bit of information and they returned a resume for me that is very impressive. I did not even realize my skills were so transferable and how much educational credits and certifications I had. It can be expensive, but I do recommend it.

Starting nursing salaries are low in today's market. You may have been getting good pay in your previous job. I suspect asking for a higher salary in the application may decrease your chances of getting a call back, so think about asking for lower pay. How low? You will have to do some research in glassdoor.com and salary.com to find out entry level pay for the position you are applying for. I do understand this is not fair, but you have to adjust to the times and conditions to survive.

I think your nursing experience makes you a good candidate for work in many of the outpatient areas or clinics for office triage nursing. Can you attend some open houses at health care facilities so they can see just how young, healthy and vibrant you are? I know I have been nursing for many years, but I started when I was very young, so I don't think I'm old, but that does not show on the resume. They need to see you.

Consider working in area where an RN license and physical Stamina is not needed. Some of the case management positions advertised for social workers can be easily filled by an RN also. Pursue some CEU's and short term certifications in behavioral health. This may help you get into some Psych. nursing This may be a very good option for you if you are experiencing burn out. You need to try something different or new If you can get in the door.

[calhirn]

Can not relocate at present, to many obligations here. Yes this área is saturated.

[middleagednurse]

Try the insurance companies.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I would have let them fire me so I could have collected unemployment benefits and also kept my choice to sue for wrongful termination. By agreeing to "quit" they won, they got rid of you,you can't sue and you can't collect unemployment or even negotiate a transfer to another department!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

I would have let them fire me so I could have collected unemployment benefits and also kept my choice to sue for wrongful termination. By agreeing to "quit" they won, they got rid of you,you can't sue and you can't collect unemployment or even negotiate a transfer to another department!

Depends on what being fired for. You can't always get unemployment, I know-fought it and lost.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes that is true. ..it's state dependent. I also do not know what they had on the nurse...is it a embellished charge and is this age discrimination or was their a real error made here!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

You are experienced and are therefore expensive.

If you have ER experience and are looking to get back into ER, perhaps taking the CEN would make you more competitive.

Maybe it's time to go back to school.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I found my dream job at 30 years in.

Look into temporary/ contract agencies. Entech, Kelly, etc. If you have your resume on line you will receive many offers for contract work... they lead into permanent position offers.

Interviewing is new to you, you sound angry and probably rightfully so.. but interviewers will pick that up PDQ.