Experienced RN help finding work

Hoozdo, ADN · Jan 22, 2008

I have been an RN for over 20 years here in the valley. I recently left a job due to ethical conflicts with office mgr. Now, I am pounding pavement without much success. I have vast experience in the in pt & out pt setting. I have found several opportunities (which I am very quilified for) in the hospitals. I submit applications but I am not getting even a call back for interview. Anyone else experiencing this? Is the nursing shortage turing a corner? Where are the jobs at? :icon_roll

Interesting, I am having the same problem. I have been a nurse for only 2 years - all in the ICU. I hurt myself in September with a Workmen's Comp injury. I finally can return to work and really wanted to start somewhere else. I have applied for 5 jobs (all PACU or tele) and haven't got A SINGLE CALL!

I think this recession is for real. I had a very good response to every application I ever filled out when I was a new grad. Now.........nothing.

I have not put my resume on Monster.com or careerbuilder, I might try that next. Will keep you informed!

NotSoNewNurse · Jan 22, 2008

I agree with you...I think the recession is having its effect. Hospitals don't seem to be in such a hurry as they were a few years back to hire the nurses.

Like you, most of my background is in critical care (CV). I am trying to avoid going back to that setting...wanting a slower pace. I set out looking with the attitude that I would take my time & find something that fit my needs perfectly. But dang, I didn't expect it to take over two months.

I though about posting my resume also but I am afraid of the endless calls from head-hunters that would result.

Good luck to you in your search & thanks for letting me know I am not alone out there!

:cheers:

Hoozdo, ADN · Jan 22, 2008

Last night I applied for SEVEN different jobs at Banner Health and one at JCL Deer Valley. No ringie dingies yet. If I get no calls for eight different applications I'll eat my hat and say this is not a recession anymore. It is a depression!:angryfire

NotSoNewNurse · Jan 22, 2008

Good Luck, I hope you get "THE CALL"! But, don't hold your breath wating for the calls to come in too quickly. I sent in apps to Banner (Good Sam & Thunderbird), JCL North & St. Joes for various positions over the past six weeks. I just got my first call for interview today! Maybe this posting gave me some good Karma...

Kabin · Jan 23, 2008

Wonder if the increased economic instability makes nurses less likely to change jobs. Maybe a spouse's lost job creates a bird in the hand (paycheck) versus two in the bush. It's tough times out there from housing, mortgage, banking, retail, autos, and now the stock market. What next? Elective surgeries start taking a hit or more patient's default on hospital bills. Otherwise I wouldn't think hospitals would be struggling.

mattsmom64 · Jan 23, 2008

Wonder if the increased economic instability makes nurses less likely to change jobs. Maybe a spouse's lost job creates a bird in the hand (paycheck) versus two in the bush. It's tough times out there from housing, mortgage, banking, retail, autos, and now the stock market. What next? Elective surgeries start taking a hit or more patient's default on hospital bills. Otherwise I wouldn't think hospitals would be struggling.

I'm also wondering if the increasing # of new grads isn't helping either. 300+ nursing students graduated this past December....Even more will be graduating in May. I'm wondering if there will be enough jobs to go around in a couple of years as more and more Nursing Programs expand..... :twocents:

MassagetoRN · Jan 23, 2008

Another thought, you may be overqualified. Why pay an experienced nurse the salary befitting them when they can get a new grad to do the job for new nurse pay? Remember, Banner now has a new crop of 60 or so nurses every couple of months that are obligated to work for them for 3 years.... Just a thought.

suanna · Jan 23, 2008

It seems the nursing shortage is over in a lot of places. Not around here-Northeast Ohio. Jobs aren't as plentiful as they were a few years ago but I bet I could find a new postion is less than a day if I needed a job. It may be the type of job you are applying for. Are you seeking day shift only? Are you expecting top pay scale? Even with your experience you are still a new hire and may have to start out on nights. I wonder if there is something in your references that is killing your chances- Ask the HR recruiter at a job you didn't get if there was something that took you off the call back list. You may not get an answer but it dosn't hurt to ask. I live in fear of ticking off my employer- I've worked there 20+ years and if I can't use them as a reference I have to claim to have been in a coma ever since I passed boards. If you have a variety of experiences you can drop the job that is giving you a black mark from your resume' (if that is the case). Good luck! I have never heard of a nurse getting unemployment compensation in this area. As far as the unemployment bureau is concerned-part time nights at the worst LTC facillity in the state is a nursing job and they expect you to take it before you will get a dime.

NotSoNewNurse · Jan 23, 2008

I'm also wondering if the increasing # of new grads isn't helping either. 300+ nursing students graduated this past December....Even more will be graduating in May. I'm wondering if there will be enough jobs to go around in a couple of years as more and more Nursing Programs expand.....

I agree, there has been an increase in the # of new grads hitting the work force. However, we have seen new hospitals open over the past few years in additon to expansions within existing hospitals. With the opening of new facilities outside the Px area less nurses are commuting into the down town area. And the expansions have to be staffed by someone!

All positons can's be filled by new grads...I think there has to be a mix of experience with inexperience to achieve safe staffing situations.

NotSoNewNurse · Jan 23, 2008

Another thought, you may be overqualified. Why pay an experienced nurse the salary befitting them when they can get a new grad to do the job for new nurse pay? Remember, Banner now has a new crop of 60 or so nurses every couple of months that are obligated to work for them for 3 years.... Just a thought.

That is a good point. I am looking for a position away from the bedside though. The positions I have applied to usually do require experience and are not entry level. However, you are right...why pay for the experience when you have the young you can cultivate into the position. Oh, how depressing!

NotSoNewNurse · Jan 23, 2008

It may be the type of job you are applying for. Are you seeking day shift only? Are you expecting top pay scale? Even with your experience you are still a new hire and may have to start out on nights. I wonder if there is something in your references that is killing your chances- quote]
Yes, I do think the type of position I am looking for is making the search a bit slower. Like you, I think I could get employment today if I was willing to go the LTC or do registry work (which is not out of the question if I don't find something fairly soon!) The type of work I am looking for is more along the line of consulting, pt advocacy, case management or education. The positions are out there but certainly are not as abundant as bedside is.
As far as references go, I am a firm believer of never burning bridges as do feel confident that I am not running into trouble because of this. Even my last position, which I left after only 8 months, will give a positive reference. The situatuation there was unique & the manager is gone...reference will come from the chief physician in the practice.
Thank you for making me think about all this though. In some way you have helped me recollect all the postives about myself & not feel so down about the time this is taking. Hope that makes sense!