Ever Tried to get a Job outside Nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

still on my job hunting journey. During this process I have learned so much about myself and others. I have learned that finding a job outside the profession is quite difficult, I have applied to so many non-nursing jobs with yes pay cut with no response. I would like to try something other than bedside care. W/O your masters it's next to impossible to have work other than bedside. I have worked hard and done my job very well. Yes this professiuon has given me a lot of blessings thanks to God. But I am tired of stressing after work, tired of not finishing on time, tired of getting yelled at, tired of being treated like a second class citizen. I just want to start work on time and end on time. I am also tired of being asked to do fifty things all at once with all the respnsibility on my shoulders. This has been one of the most stressful times in my life because I am job hunting and the only places that will hire me is bedside. I am feeling really discouraged.

I remember when I left my job I thought I was doing something positive for my mental health, yes I am finally taking care of myself, things will work out all will be well. Five months later still hunting, feeling terriable, stressed, anxious, frustrated. I wish I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Could it be possiable to have employment one enjoys, start on time leave on time, stress but manageable stress, and still beable to pay my bills on time. There are days when I visualize going to work in the morning a hot drink in hand feeling relaxed happy content, having a yes fast or slow paced day, stress but I handle it, ending on time, lookinf forward to the next day. Please provide your thoughts as I am sure others may have felt this way. Thanks for allowing me to vent. One door has door, I pray everyday through tears that another door will open.

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I feel your pain. I'm retiring in one year. That's be 20 years of work, and my daughter will be out of college. My expenses will be minimal. What will I do? I don't know... unfortunately with the recession it's hard to find any job. But if I have to work for minimum wage until I advance, then that's what I'll do.

For now, try to lower your stress at work. If you work nights, go to days (nights make you crazy.) I worked inpatient Rehab and I found that to be very low mental stress (but hard on my back.) Also, when that clock hits 1915 I'm out the door. If night shift is still listening to report because it took them 20 minutes to put their stuff away, too bad. They can call me on my cell if they have questions. Try to find a working enviroment where everyone gets along. Bedside is pretty much the same everywhere but it's your coworkers who'll make or break your day. Good luck to you.

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Hi Ive pretty much tried a lot of things other than bediside... Did you try bedside nursing before? If yes why dont you try chart review? Its interesting-you go to doctors offices and review the charts for insurance purposes... I did it for a while until I couldn't cope up with the schedule. See I work nights on my other job and this is a day position... I also tried pharmaceuticals but its also stressful since you need to reach a certain sales target. Don't give up on bedside yet. There are a lot of specialty out there maybe you haven't found your niche. Try the OR, maybe outpatient clinics? Bedside nursing doesn't mean you must get out at a later time... Goodluck!:)

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If it is hard for you to find jobs that are not bedside with your experience then I guess there is not much hope for graduate RNs such as myself. I do not want bedside either as I recently found. And, well now I've been looking other places and they want 1-2 years experience which you have. I am so sorry that you are having a tough time but you are not alone. This economy is tough but we have to somehow make it through. Hang in there and keep trying.

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Hello all,

thanks for your positive replys. This is a very positive forum. Well I will continue to hunt. It has been almost 5mos w/o working and I am discouraged. But there are days when I feel positive. In fact everytime I send out a resume I feel encouraged. Everytime I have an interview I feel encouraged. In fact I have travelled miles for job interviews and career fairs. It's hard out here experienced or not it's a battle field. It took a lot and I mean a lot to get here professionally not for the faint of heart. I have worked hard given this profession everything I had and more.

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There are many areas in medical sales, a poster mentioned pharmaceutical sales, that market is dramatically reducing sales staff, you have bio-tech, medical device, on and on. Try to contact a medical sales recruiter, also consider linkedin, great way to network,I graduated in 07 from nursing school, never made it to the bedside d/t needing immediate employment, but still nurse vicariously through allnurses. I had contacted several medical companies and one chose to take a risk on an RN with customer service background. The good news is as an RN you already speak clinical, most medical sales people come from non medical background (copy machine sales/ car rental services) they are then trained to follow a script, and get past the gatekeeper and make their numbers. I hate that approach, I tend to be upfront of who I am and the purpose of my visit. The only drawback is that in medical sales you may or may not receive training and you will pretty much have to keep current on your own.

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Maybe now is a good time to explore going back to school?

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

I was out of work for 12 months,the whole of 2009. I was unable to work as a nurse due to medical issues, but I thought I'd just pick up something local, like retail or grocery and such. I musta put in 50 apps and got NOT ONE bite! I am very sure that potential employers looked at my extensive nursing experience and assumed that I would jump ship as soon as a nursing job came along. I didn't even get the chance to tell them that I didn't WANT to do nursing! The one thing that did come through for me was working as a sitter for a family with 3 kids. I do it sporadically, but I could have done it full-time if I had been more available. It's a great family and easy money, too.

And then, a job fell into my lap! An elementary school had just lost their nurse at Christmas and needed someone ASAP. I sent over my resume, they liked it, I interviewed and got the job just that easy. I don't make what I would in a hospital, but the stress is almost zero and I love love LOVE being in this school! I just want to encourage you to keep your chin up. My job found me and your next job will find you too. :nurse:

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