Finding employment with IPN contract

Nurses Recovery

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I am an RN in FL, I just recieved an IPN contract, 5yrs, with a 1 yr key restriction. Any suggestions on trying to find employment? Where to go, what type of positions to look for?? I have applied everywhere I can think of, hospitals, office, nsg homes, but nothing so far. I do mention upfront that I have a contract, which I thought was better to let them know,(since I have to tell anyways). I need to know if anyone has any suggestions on making the reentry? My issues are not related to any patient issue/neglect or anything of the sort, and there was no diversion. I haven't worked in about 3 yrs and desperately need to get back to work. Nursing is who I am, and what I want to do.

I was told by one hospital to take a refresher course, does that really make me more employable?

My other question is, if I don't find employment in nursing, am I able to get licensed in another healthcare profession?( Such as dental hygenist, xray, ultrasound, something of that sort) I don't want to do this, but if I can't find a nursing job, I may have to seek other venues.

If anyone has any suggestions on what to do, tips, what type of nsg position to look for, any employment opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it.

I am kinda lost on what to do at this point.

Thank you

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Dialysis is very recovery friendly as there are no narcs available.

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Yep, since the minute I realized that nurses get sick, too, I was told dialysis is the way to go. Please note that I was once called to a dialysis unit to administer Dilaudid, but that is super rare. One nurse I met in a recovery group got hired in a long term care facility pretty quickly. The DON was more than happy to find someone to administer the "controlled substances" until her restriction was lifted. Good Luck!

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

FYI

In order to be a Dental Hygienist...you must go to college for 2 years prereq's then 2 years of hygiene school. Then you must take a National Board Exam and State Licensure....it's just like Nursing...so you can't just work as a dental hygienist. I know...before I became a nurse, I was a Registered Dental Hygienist and practiced for 15 years.....Also, any sanctions on a state license for one health care profession will carry over to another (although I placed my hygiene license on inactive 20 years ago.)

You could possibly become a Dental Assistant--formal education is not manditory, and no licensure is required.

and I am a fellow IPN'er....I am doing case management...you might want to try that.

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A narcotic restriction does present a problem in clinical nursing however I know many nurses in recovery programs that have fought their way around it and are working. Dialysis, as already mentioned is a perfect job for this situation. I also have a friend that works in the corrections division as a nurse at the county jail intake as well as in the jail itself. There are positions in the wellfare and state social service departments for nurses in clinics and education. You have to think about all your strenghths and the areas of nursing you enjoy.

PS: Corrections Departments often pay well and the shifts are as flexible as you.

Good Luck, I know you will prevail !!!:o

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Wow good luck to you. I am under a FIVE year contract with no drugs or alcohol issues or restrictions with keys. My thing was an emotional melt down with amounts to impairment if you make and error no matter how slight and your employer is an *ss. I have gone through hell and back. I'm being turned down for position after position because of the stigma of IPN and most employers aren't aware of the mental and physical impairment contracts that they do. I too was notifying right up front that I was in IPN but found that they tuned out with that. Then I decided to tell later in the process after hire, since I don't have any restrictions I feel that's not a problem, but they then ask some kind of pointed questions which makes me feel like I'm lying if I don't tell. It's so ridiculous that IPN was created to keep healthcare workers working yet the employers won't hire them so you're pretty much screwed if your current employer when the bad happens decides to terminate you as well. I HAVE ONE REALLY REALLY GOOD PIECE OF ADVICE FOR ANYONE PENDING SELF REPORTING OR BEING REPORTED BY ANOTHER ENTITY...IF YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB, GET ONE!! BEFORE YOU HAVE TO SIGN THAT IPN CONTRACT.

This doesn't help you but after the hell I've been through with this (oh by the way my emotional melt down happened and I failed to label a lab specimen, this was my terrible infraction)I wanted to get this information out there. Despite IPN supposedly being this great thing you catch hell getting hired after you've entered into a contract. I truly wish you a lot of luck. :mad::mad:

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Don't forget there has to be another nurse on duty to supervise you even if there aren't narcotics to be given.

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I am an RN in FL, I just recieved an IPN contract, 5yrs, with a 1 yr key restriction. Any suggestions on trying to find employment? Where to go, what type of positions to look for?? I have applied everywhere I can think of, hospitals, office, nsg homes, but nothing so far. I do mention upfront that I have a contract, which I thought was better to let them know,(since I have to tell anyways). I need to know if anyone has any suggestions on making the reentry? My issues are not related to any patient issue/neglect or anything of the sort, and there was no diversion. I haven't worked in about 3 yrs and desperately need to get back to work. Nursing is who I am, and what I want to do.

I was told by one hospital to take a refresher course, does that really make me more employable?

My other question is, if I don't find employment in nursing, am I able to get licensed in another healthcare profession?( Such as dental hygenist, xray, ultrasound, something of that sort) I don't want to do this, but if I can't find a nursing job, I may have to seek other venues.

If anyone has any suggestions on what to do, tips, what type of nsg position to look for, any employment opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it.

I am kinda lost on what to do at this point.

Thank you

I forgot to mention that most do require acute care experience in the last year or an RN refresher course.

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I am a "new" IPN RN in the central Florida area with a 6 month key restriction and a year contract. It has been almost 4 months, and after numerous contracts I am unable to find a job. I do however, have an interview coming up in a cardiac clinic, but and am anxious because the it seems as if many employer are uneducated on IPN. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to say or not to say in an interview? This is all new to me and any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

I definitely recommend that you search the word "interview" in this forum for many good suggestions that have been provided over the years.

Catmom :paw:

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I know this is an old link. But I have new information. Corizon is hiring IPN nurses. They have even sent a letter to IPN for recruiting purposes.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Dialysis, psych and corrections. All are contract friendly in my state. At the prison where I currently work, IF you can get on day shift, the Department of Corrections is a good place to work. It also pays extremely well, around $80k a year. Dialysis is the way I went, for a few months anyway. Then I ended up in the state run outpatient psychiatric clinic. It was an excellent place to spend my time on contract. My supervisor had been on contract years and years prior so he was very empathetic to nurses on contract and in fact, had 4 of us working there.

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