Getting hired after a long break from bedside nursing

[luckycat]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get back into bedside nursing after a 3-year hiatus (due to pursuing other personal interests). I have 5+ years of ICU experience.

I've been applying for part-time, full-time, and per diem jobs with no call-backs for any interviews. I have gotten a few emails saying my application has been reviewed and not considered for the positions.

Does anyone know if taking an RN refresher course (or something similar to that nature) will increase one's chances of getting hired after a long break of being "inactive"? If anyone has taken such a course, what was your experience?

If there are any nurse recruiters on here, I would also love to hear your opinion.

It seems like hospitals- in my area at least- want "current" experience, i.e. within the last 6 months-year.

[llg, PhD, RN]

A refresher course would probably help. It's always a concern when hiring someone who has been away from nursing for a while -- or even when considering a nurse who has been away from bedside care in an acute care environment for a while.

And remember ... you have already demonstrated a willingness to leave nursing to pursue other interests. A prospective employer may think you will leave again if things don't go perfectly for you. That makes you a "high risk" potential hire. You may need to jump through a few hoops and settle for the less-than-ideal job for your first job back in acute care.

[luckycat]

Thanks, llg! I hadn't thought of being perceived as a "high risk" potential hire. I'm glad you mentioned it. Now I'm realizing I really need to revise my cover letter to explain the 3-year gap.

[Concerto_in_C, BSN, RN]

That makes you a "high risk" potential hire. You may need to jump through a few hoops and settle for the less-than-ideal job for your first job back in acute care.

Everybody is high risk in this paranoid industry, which explains why nurses are leaving en masse to pursue careers in real estate and other industries where they can feel appreciated for the first time in their lives.