Experience too old?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi all!

I graduated in Argentina 8 years ago, and I worked in NICU for almost 4 years there. I came to US just for vacation three and a half years ago, and then decided to stay here with my father. I studied english for two years, and then I was appoved by the Board of Nursing in Sacramento to take the NCLEX. I passed the test in April and have been looking for a job since. After applying in many different places, I have received MANY phone calls form employers. They read "experience in NICU" and get all excited; they call me, make a bunch of plans, and then realize that my experience is "too old". They want something recent.

I know it has been a short time since I began looking for a job compared to other people who had to wait maybe up to a year to find a job, but my main concern is that I got a lot of phone calls, and they all say the same thing. I even had an interview, and the Lady was really interested in my work experience. Then the nurse recruiter told me that she could not hire me because the hospital was not hiring new grads (meaning that my experience in Argentina meant nothing?) So I applied for new grad residency/program and they told me I don't qualify because I worked before.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to get all depressed over this, but I really think that I don't have many doors to be opened.

Any advice or opinions would be really appreciated!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Have you considered applying for something less specialized just to get your foot in the door? ICU, Rehab, geriatrics, medsurge, telemetry, or LTC? Once hired, keep an eye out for Nicu openings at your hospital?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

have you thought about taking a rn refresher course to get your skills current? They are usually offered a few time a year either by community colleges or classes held by companies specializing in that.

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Have you considered applying for something less specialized just to get your foot in the door? ICU, Rehab, geriatrics, medsurge, telemetry, or LTC? Once hired, keep an eye out for Nicu openings at your hospital?

Yes, I have. I applied for different possitions at many facilities, and they all have the same answer for me. Like you said, anything to get my foot in the door. I'm not being picky at all; I'm open to any available position. :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Why not try volunteer work? So when they ask about your experience you can say "I worked in the NICU a few years ago for several years, but recently I've been volunteering at suchandsuch clinic with giving flu shoots/drawing blood/etc for low income families"

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have you thought about taking a rn refresher course to get your skills current? They are usually offered a few time a year either by community colleges or classes held by companies specializing in that.

Thanks so much for the advice! I didn't know about those courses. I've been searching for colleges around my area, and there are two really close to where I live. I will call tomorrow to find out if they offer any class soon. "crossing fingers" :)

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Why not try volunteer work? So when they ask about your experience you can say "I worked in the NICU a few years ago for several years, but recently I've been volunteering at suchandsuch clinic with giving flu shoots/drawing blood/etc for low income families"

Yes, that's a really good idea! I already applied to volunteer at a hospital, and I have the orientation in two weeks. Hopefully, I will begin volunteering in the second week of June :). The Lady who interviewed me said that she would try to get me in a place where I can give immunization to children. It would still be a 'volunteer' position, but since I have a current RN license, she said they could use that.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
Thanks so much for the advice! I didn't know about those courses. I've been searching for colleges around my area, and there are two really close to where I live. I will call tomorrow to find out if they offer any class soon. "crossing fingers" :)

google RN refresher for more options too or page through a local ad generated nursing magazine like nursing spectrum or advance for nurses

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Look at home health agencies for extended care positions. They tend to not be so picky about your experience. You could easily find a position in home health that would get you going in the work world while you continue to look for a hospital job.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Undoubtedly, your situation is totally the opposite of what I hear from new graduates. I would truly go to a nursing agency that works along with the hospitals in your area. In addition, I would make myself notice by given the highest caliber of care to the patients. Furthermore, befriend the recruiter and make sure you win over your unit manager, in no time the first opening would be yours... that's how I got my feet in the door & the rest of my body :cool:I wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors, Os deseo buena suerte hasta luego~ :)

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