Do you think working for the same company for 20+ yrs..

mentalhealthRN · Nov 17, 2010

Can't hurt! Have you thought of trying to find a position as a tech at the hospital. You could get experience that is super helpful and get your foot in the door for when you graduate. Better chances of getting a nursing job when you already work there. Most hospitals take in-house employees before outside nurses. And once oriented to one unit if they do float tech positions you can see which floors might be a good fit--the patient population, the staff/personalities, etc.

Good luck to you.

Leelee2 · Nov 17, 2010

I would say it depends on the employers views. Some may appreciate your 20 years of loyalty and look at that as a positive. Others may see it as stagnate, and may be concerned with how you will respond to change. Just depends on hiring persons viewpoint.

What couldn't hurt is getting some volunteer experience in some kind of medical facility. This would give you some experience, and possible contacts that may help you in getting some job leads.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 17, 2010

loyalty is not as important as your ability to do the job. But if your work history had a lot of jumping around or big gaps that is not good either. Overall, I recommend you give it a positive spin. After all, you must not be difficult to work with as you were able to remain in that place that long. Good luck!!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2010

I think potential employers want to see someone who is dependable.. I've never heard an employer say, "Wow- she stayed in the same job for 20 years, that's bad!"

If I were weeding through applications of people with all the same experience.. the one with a history of staying at one place for an extended periods of time (or in this case, a VERY long time), would be on the top of the pile.

golflinda2214 · Nov 17, 2010

I agree with trying to get into the hospital in some capacity before going to school. You might receive financial help from them for books, tuition,etc. I commend you on your 20+ yrs with one company! I see tis only as a positive!

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2010

OP, what are your plans for work while in school? I also made a career switch and I applied for a unit secretary position at the hospital I wanted to work for. I worked every other weekend and got to know SOOO much about how hospitals operated, got to know the people, the nurses and docs. I stayed in that position until I graduated, and was offered an RN position on the spot. It did help me get my foot in the door, and I got lots of letters of recommendation from nurses, supervisors and physicians.

Your loyalty does speak volumes. I think this will factor in when they do interviews. One question though: why did you decide to go into nursing? I am just curious.

belgarion · Nov 17, 2010

When my former employer packed up and left town I did a job search in my field before I decided to go into nursing. I used a placement service and had a job coach. I had a total of 43 interviews in several different cities with no takers. Almost without exception I was told they loved my qualifications but couldn't help but wonder why someone with those qulifications would have stayed with the same employer for so long.

That said, when I graduated from nursing school, my long stay with one employer, even though it was in a dozen different locations and a dozen different job titles, became a huge positive.

Go figure.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Nov 18, 2010

It shows you can keep a job, not an insignificant point. But today nobody expects that and current management ideals almost make it impossible. You should focus on the future and the skills, both that you have and those you need, that will get you that job. Good luck!

Butterfly0328 · Nov 18, 2010

Thank you all for your feedback.

Canesdukegirl: I had plans of dropping to part time while in nursing school. Fortunately the job I am currently doing is almost stress. free. I have been doing the same job for so long it pretty much requires no brain power. That would free

up my brain cells to focus on nursing school. :lol2: As far as to why I deciced to go into nursing, I have always wanted to be a nurse. When I was in high school I also attened a Vo-Tech in health occupations my junior and senior year. With that class we were able to spend some time in many areas such as surgery, baby nursery, rehabilitation etc. I absolutely loved it but then did something really stupid - I got married at age 18. Of course then came the 2 children. So now my kids are grown. Got rid of hte husband and often ask myself "why didn't I go to school sooner?" It's one of my biggest regrets. Anyway. There you go.

Belgarion: You scared me at first. :eek: Thank goodness it turned out good for you.

Thank you everyone for your imput. I will truly look into either volunteering or the tech position mentioned. I just don't know how I would work part time, do the tech position and go to school. The biggest reason for staying where I am part time is for the medical insurance. I also get quite a bit of vacation/holiday/unplanned time. But I also know I need to somehow get my foot in the door. I will weigh my options.

Thanks again.:thankya: