Depressed seasoned nurse of 20 yrs - Can't get hospital job

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am very depressed. I am a 20 year seasoned nurse. Started working odds, then worked Critical Care, 7 years of that travel nursing in critical care. during all those years I floated telemetry, med/surg, nicu, psych, observation, I worked ER/ambulance transport for a year before travel nursing. Then I went to work in an outpatient cancer center for past nine years, from radiation to the last 8 years in chemo infusion.

I had to get away from the death of oncology and decided to try case management in home health. That was to me a big mistake, not what I expected would be. Now I am trying to get employment back in the hospital setting.

I had an interview case manager. Never heard anything after the interview. Then interviewed for an ICU position. Director hired me, I got a call with the job offer. I accepted it but ask for $4 extra in pay. Have not heard from anyone in two weeks.

I have 4 travel companies saying they're going to get me a position somewhere. Again nothing.

Please tell me, why am I having such an awful time getting employment. I have NEVER had such a time, it is extremely depressing and bills are getting behind. I have placed at least 100 applications out there in Tennessee. I am now going to have to try other states.

WHAT IS WRONG? I feel I can't get a job and don't know why. Do you have any answers?

---

Dear Depressed,

I'm so sorry you are having such a difficult time but I think I can help.

First of all, many nurses with as much experience as you have were never trained on how to interview, get jobs, or construct resumes. The market for nurses has changed. To land a job now, after being out of acute care for 8 years, and in your area, (Tennessee), you must level up your job searching game.

Resume

You have amazing experience but it may not be resonating on your resume. If you have placed 100 applications and received 2 interviews, your resume could be part of the problem. Is your resume:

• Targeted to each employer? You will not get results with mass mailings/submissions
  
• Focused on your skills? It should not be just a chronological list of jobs, but skills focused
  
• Professional appearing in format and layout? There is a lot of competition out there, and your resume must be polished, professional and error free
  

Interviews

You landed 2 interviews but then the job slipped through your fingers.

ICU Interview: It's a pretty good guess that asking for $4.00 more an hour was a misstep. Right now, just concentrate on getting in the door. You will have more negotiating power in the future, but right now you have an acute care employment deficit of 8 years to contend with.

Are you worth the higher pay? Yes, probably. But It's not a question of what you deserve, it's a matter of what they are willing to pay.

The good news is that you were offered a job, so you impressed the hiring manager, and you have the skills. I would pick up the phone, call the Director, say you have re-considered and would like to take the position at the salary that was offered. If the job has already been taken, let her/him know you would like to be considered for any future openings. You have nothing to lose.

Case Management Interview: You didn't hear back, but did you call back? Did you write a thank you note immediately after your interview? You can always call and ask I would appreciate some feedback on my interview to help with my interviewing skills in the future.”

• Be persistent. Never give up.
  
• Project confidence. You are an experienced nurse, a valuable commodity.
  
• Network. Let all your friends, family and past co-workers know you are looking for a job.
  
• Practice your interviewing skills
  
• Polish your resume
  

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Read these related articles

How to Land a Job

Revamp Your Resume

How to Answer What's Your Greatest Weakness?”

[DavisaRN9]

I can relate. I too, have 20 years experience in various nursing specialties. And I have had some difficulty in getting hired, BUT staying employed is bigger problem. I get hired and during the probationary period I get saddled with 1-2 nurses (newly graduated) to show them the ropes. Well, after 88 days I get called in to speak with management. I get told I'm "not a good fit" and let go citing "probation period failure". Funny, all my "new nurses", the ones I trained to the floor remain with the hospital. Note: I am over 50 years old; all the new nurses I trained were under 32. This situation has happened verbatim 4 times in 3 years. And every hospital I was hired at had NO education orientation for 'new grads'. I did consult an attorney regarding this practice (as I was never late, never missed a day, and have a clean nursing record) and was told that there was nothing I could do as I was 'let go' during a probationary period. Plus, I was unable to garner any help from unemployment services; they cite I was never really employed. Between jobs I looked for 3-11 months to get hired. In the mean time I had exhausted all savings (liquidated IRAs, retirement funds) and am soon to be evicted to live on the street. BTW: My BSN nursing license is current and clean. I am now so depressed I no longer care.

[Roy Hanson]

in this day and age..you maybe over qualified, and probably know more than the rookie interviewer. I ran into this years back. Keep trying, and once a week, PHONE do not email, the prospective employers. Leave a short message. IF they have any question, make yourself open.

[PWMOOSE]

It can be an awful thing to have so much experience and not be able to find a good job. I was an OR nurse for 15 years, and then I had a neck issue that severely messed up my left arm. I can no longer do patient care. I have two Masters Degrees in Nursing and Health Care Administration plus I am a published author. One year I kept count, I applied for at least 175 jobs, I had maybe three or four interviews. When I would ask if it was my resume, they said I just wasn't what they were looking for at the time. I never mentioned my health issues. I am depressed like you thinking I went to school to get a better education to get ahead, and now I can't even pay back my loans hardly because I have had to take an education job that pays about $5 an hour with the amount of time I work. I was used to making about seven times that. It has been a hard transition because you feel like the occupation you gave everything to no longer wants you. I am pursuing all avenues, but I haven't had any luck either. I don't know if it is the economy or people just don't want to hire people like me. I am overqualified for most entry level positions, so I am out of luck anyway I go.

Long story short (too late): I wish you the best and hope you find something. I have my teaching position but I would really like something else as it drives me mad. You can't have everything, I am thankful I have something, but it is not what I want. Like you, I will have to keep looking and hoping that somebody will see the value that I am as a nurse and a person.

[explorereb96, ADN, BSN]

My answer "I am still on probation, which in fact is basically an orientation, correct?" Their answer should be "yes." "then how am I qualified to orient and train new grads to a hospital and system that I, myself am not fully oriented to?"

[newmacgirl]

Keep trying, but no longer agree to train till you yourself are off probation. I would love to train but I too am still in orientation....

[newmacgirl]

Depressed,

Keep looking... Fix your resume. look up resumes on goggle find one that reads well. And like others said Focus on skills, list areas worked in not exact employers, thats on the application.

like

Area I have worked in ICU, OR, med sure, Tele. I have a couple of will to train hospital jobs sent to me in an email. I could pass on.

I copy pasted here...

Dear newmacgirl,

I have an exciting position to discuss with you! Please take a moment to review the opportunity below then call me if you would like to be considered.

Registered Nurse-Associate level and New Grads are encouraged to apply

• 3 Day Work Week, 11a to 11p, other shifts available
  
• Hospital setting, No Call
  
• Mixing IV's, no insertions
  
• Full Benefits and Pension Plan
  
• $26 per hour base plus $1 differential (starting at 6)
  

Western Kansas:

• Bedroom community less than 50 minutes to mall shopping, a zoo, the largest public pool in the state
  
• Cost of Living 8% below national average
  
• Get experience in multiple settings including ER
  
• Access to a major reservoir, boating, camping, regionally acclaimed hunting, and fishing
  

Reference ID #84956

Don't miss out on this great opportunity. Get in touch with me today.

Sincerely,

Scott Best(866) 221-5405 x4918 | [phone] (direct)

Delta Healthcare Providers | [email protected]

[kdkout, BSN, RN]

HI;

You are expensive, and most hospitals want new grads who they can "mold," who dont have opinions yet, and who are cheap. That seems to be how it is now. I just went through this. It took me @ 3 years to find my new job.....I have 20 yrs experience too. Now I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have my current job, and I sure dont take it for granted.

A couple of other places wanted me but I found out enough about the ICUs in the area (how badly run they were) to know where it was good to work and not good to work, and in your mid 40s retirement and benefits become VERY important. I plan to stay at current job until I retire in 20 years, God willing, if I stay healthy. I wasnt willing to move hospitals for just any job, esp with a special needs child. I'm back on nightshift, which is an adjustment, but that's fine. Was burned out by dayshift politics anyway and am so happy now.

One place I interviewed said I was "not experienced" enough to work there. Luckily they said this by email because I laughed out loud when I read it. I know from people who worked there that the unit just hired 4 new grads and I have a decade of relevant experience, and a decade more of a lot else....but I'm only 3 steps from the top of the payscale. I cost almost twice as much as a new grad. For me, it was about money. They wont, but I wish the hospital would admit that - the application & interview process is very stressful so if they werent going to hire me anyway why did they waste my time and theirs?

Dont underestimate the new grads - they are "trained" in what to wear, what to say, how to write resumes - remember these are kids who have grown up with the internet and social media and know how to sell themselves in an interview. Dress nice, be humble, dont assume they care about your experience, sadly...... I worked with a lot of travelers at my old job and several of the ones my age said the same thing you are saying. Good luck :-)

[not2bblue]

I can sympathize. I have had a non-clinical position for 7 years. Now, no one is very interested. I want to feel like a "nurse" again, but it is hard as well to leave and go back to nursing. My job pays well, but the future with the company is unsure. I had an interview last week for an OR opening. They are training so lack of experience isn't a huge problem. I don't know if I will take it, because it is less money, and I fear being let go for not fitting in, since I haven't done it before but have been sedentary the last 7 years. Is more money now going to help me when the current job no longer exists? But, it is hard to find an opportunity, in this case, I knew someone and they helped recruit me. But once outof nursing a year, they dont want you back, no matter how much experience you have. And yeah, new grads are cheaper.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

HI;

Dont underestimate the new grads - they are "trained" in what to wear, what to say, how to write resumes - remember these are kids who have grown up with the internet and social media and know how to sell themselves in an interview. Dress nice, be humble, dont assume they care about your experience, sadly...... I worked with a lot of travelers at my old job and several of the ones my age said the same thing you are saying. Good luck :-)

I agree with all but the dress nice...Many show up in jeans and tshirts every day for interviews (really?!?!?!?). I realize it's LTC, but for goodness sakes, it's still a professional environment.

[~Shrek~]

Psych is always hiring. It's not acute care, but there are always jobs in psych.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I agree with Nurse Beth. There is a disconnect with your resume, interviewing skills, and the job. If have an awesome interview there should never be a question. Asking for $4 more an hour was probably your downfall. You are starting out with a new company, a new position. You don't have that negotiating power yet.

why would you contact a lawyer? You are wrong thinking its age discrimination. It's you are not interviewing well or there is a problem with your resume. There are done great websites on how to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. Google them.