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Discussion

Experience required or preferred

 I have experience working as a Medical Surgical nurse. I worked from 2015-2017 as a MS nurse, left for two years, and went back to same hospital and worked a few months in PCU in 2020. This hospital was not a good fit. I tried this hospital again for the second time because I didn't learn my lesson from the first time (hospital was not good fit at all; no training and not supportive) so I left again. I haven't worked since Aug 2020. I looked at various job postings but they want recent experience, or new grads. 

It is hard to find a hospital willing to train especially if not a new grad and if been off floor too long. I have heard others tell me to work in SNF, home care, or any other nursing job outside of hospital. I feel like this will not give me the acute care experience that I truly want.

I worked at SNF before and was not happy working in this area either. I’m not sure what to do at this point, but I miss working in the hospital even though I didn’t like area I was working in.  I know that I will be happy working in a different hospital and unit. I don’t like walkie talkies. I like seeing people that are really sick and seeing them get better.  I'm not sure what to do.  I tried to look for an RN refresher but that is not an option because of Covid. Right now I'm taking MSN classes because I feel like I need to do something that will help me reach my future goals. What can I do in order to return to bedside nursing?

 

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    • Expert

    I would still apply to positions that are requesting recent experience, as you've had experience within the last 6 months. However you should also look into the other options outside of the hospital as you'll have a better chance of getting a hospital job while having one of those jobs than you might if you don't have a job at all, and if you wait any longer without having a job then you definitely will put yourself into a bad position.

    Hopefully one of the hiring manager nurses on this forum can give some more guidance. 

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    • Author

    Thank you, I will try to apply to hospitals first. It’s going to take me 1-2 weeks to prepare though. I didn’t interview for last position & haven’t interviewed for over 5 years....argh. As stupid as it sounds, I have bad anxiety with interviews. ?

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    • Expert
    2 minutes ago, CinLeo42 said:

    Thank you, I will try to apply to hospitals first. It’s going to take me 1-2 weeks to prepare though. I didn’t interview for last position & haven’t interviewed for over 5 years....argh.

    1-2 weeks to prepare for what? You can still start applying right now as you likely won't be contacted for interviews for a week or so.

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    • Author

    My luck, they will call right away?. Seriously, I think I’m so nervous. I don’t do well with interviews. I’m going over possible interview questions. I’m nervous they will call for interview & not ready yet. Sorry, my interview anxiety is probably going to ruin my career??. I’m gonna apply Mon & try to get through interview questions as quickly as possible. I forget stuff when nervous. I’m confident when I’m on floor?‍♀️

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    On 1/28/2021 at 11:15 AM, CinLeo42 said:

    My luck, they will call right away?. Seriously, I think I’m so nervous. I don’t do well with interviews. I’m going over possible interview questions. I’m nervous they will call for interview & not ready yet. Sorry, my interview anxiety is probably going to ruin my career??. I’m gonna apply Mon & try to get through interview questions as quickly as possible. I forget stuff when nervous. I’m confident when I’m on floor?‍♀️

    I know this is old but how was your interview? Are you currently working now?

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    • Author

    Hi, thank you for asking. I never applied to any jobs. I don’t feel confident with my skills because I’ve been off the floor for a year. I’m still feeling stuck. I’m going to try and see if I can find someone to help me with interview skills and talk with a counselor. I’m a great nurse when I’m working but it’s the interview process. I’m a perfectionist and I feel like I’m under the microscope when interviewing. Again, I sincerely appreciate you asking:-)

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    12 hours ago, CinLeo42 said:

    Hi, thank you for asking. I never applied to any jobs. I don’t feel confident with my skills because I’ve been off the floor for a year

    You said in your OP that you're pursuing you MSN. For what? You don't have much experience to back it up, so it probably won't help landing a job, and you will still have to interview 

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    • Author

    Hi, thank you for pointing that out and your concern. I did take some general classes, but I put that on hold because I knew that I need to get past my fears & get more experience. I’m fully aware. I will work hard to get back up & I will reach my goals. My OP was submitted at a time when I felt really down and defeated. I no longer feel this way and ready to move forward. Again, thank you.

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    2 hours ago, CinLeo42 said:

    Hi, thank you for pointing that out and your concern. I did take some general classes, but I put that on hold because I knew that I need to get past my fears & get more experience. I’m fully aware. I will work hard to get back up & I will reach my goals. My OP was submitted at a time when I felt really down and defeated. I no longer feel this way and ready to move forward. Again, thank you.

    Have you tried applying for non clinical nursing jobs? I'm currently looking for remote nursing work like your, HEDIS abstractor. Maybe you can find a job there?  You have 2 year experience in acute care, you will definitely find a job somewhere especially at this current situation.

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    • Expert

    I would still apply! You just never know! It's always worth the shot in my opinion.

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    apply and keep applying AND take a per diem job somewhere and build some skills and networking connections make friends as those nurses typically work somewhere else too and that might be your way in.   My very first nursing job took 450+ unique applications that I needed and excel sheet tracking it and I had  zero experience yet I was able to get 2 job offers so keep trying never give up.  and no it don't take a week to prepare to apply takes me 30-60 mins to write resume from scratch set up profile and bam you're ready to click and apply.  Good luck and every day you should be applying to a few places it adds up. 

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