got RN license '03, just now able to start--need guidance

[solipsius]

parental illness precluded me from entering practice (my choice--things are now better) when i passed the nclex in jan '03. hence, no experience; how do i get a job? college backdates over a decade from present, and i've held only very sporifice non-relevant part-time employment during this time. i fear that lack of references will present difficulty (i have only social references).

i've been good about staying relevant regarding fundemental sub-acute patient care and its related issues.

i'm asking advice on the best way to approach getting work. i'm in my early 40's, and completely willing to do nocs. i reside in california, and like the north coast or northern central valley / sierra.

thanks for any and all!

--solipsius

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I would apply for a new grad program.

[solipsius]

I would apply for a new grad program.

Any tips on finding online listings for the programs?

Thanks for the quick response!!

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

The VA usually has a new grad program. Otherwise hospitals in metropolitan areas will usually have a program.

One other thought I had was to call the career center of your school and find out when the next career fair is scheduled.

What state are you in? I could do some googling...

Oops missed your state in the original post. My bad...

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

va medical center fresno:va central california health care system livermore:livermore loma linda:va loma linda healthcare system long beach:va long beach healthcare system los angeles:va greater los angeles healthcare system (gla) sacramento:va northern california health care system menlo park:menlo park palo alto:va palo alto health care system san diego:va san diego healthcare system san francisco:san francisco va medical center

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

From USA jobs.

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=Nurse&lid=342&salmin=&salmax=&paygrademin=&paygrademax=&FedEmp=N&tm=&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=58&SUBMIT1.y=14

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

http://www.stanfordhospital.com/employment/KeyJobs/graduateRN

[Lilkay4]

Hey Solip..

I am not sure if you'll get this, but I just read your post, and it reminded me of my mom!

She went to nursing school back in the 90s (like forever ago.. haha)

At the time, we were too young for her to start working.. She passed the nursing boards, and received her RN in I wanna say around 99..

She finally got the opportunity to start nursing when we were all in college which was just two years ago.. so she took a Refresher Course in nursing!! She found it at a smaller university within driving distance and I bet you could do the same thing as long as your RN license is still good!

Try to find a refresher course, then you don't have to go to school all over again.. Maybe you want to, but I just know that my mom got back into nursing 6 years after she got her RN license by taking this refresher course, and having no experience just like you said...

Hope this helps, as the best way to get experience is to just work as a nurse.. she's been doing it now for two years, and said it was not easy at first, but its gotten a lot better!

**Sorry for the long blurb, my whole point is you should either call hospitals and see if they know of any refresher courses, or call some local universities, and schools and see if they offer any of the refresher courses!