Graduated 2 years ago, had baby, just now looking for a job

Trauma Columnist · May 23, 2005

Well congrats on your life changes. What about trying for a general med/surg floor position? As to what you earn - it varies tremendously. Here in central IL - new grads are getting about $17.30/hour. As to references, could use a professor from college? Good luck.

Meerkat · May 23, 2005

Well congrats on your life changes. What about trying for a general med/surg floor position? As to what you earn - it varies tremendously. Here in central IL - new grads are getting about $17.30/hour. As to references, could use a professor from college? Good luck.

Thanks for your sweet reply.

The references thing is just a mess. In no way do I want to come across as a sob story---I've been really lucky. My profs in nursing school would probably remember me, but not in a good way. Several times they encouraged me to drop out, and eventually tried to kick me out of nursing school. The reason was because I am dyslexic, quite severely, and they said that having that problem made it impossible for me to 'meet the standards' to be a nurse. I had to get a lawyer and fight hard to stay in school, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act. It really became quite bitter between me and my profs. Thank goodness the law was on my side and I made it thru and passed the state boards no problem.

Now that I'm about to become a single mother (divorce) I need to get making some $$ !

Leda · May 23, 2005

There a number of things you need to consider as you seek your first nursing position.

First, most health care facilities require that hired nurses have been actively practicing within the last year. If the nurse has been out of the work force/away from the clinical setting longer than one year a nursing refresher course in often required. You should seek out either a nursing refresher course or find an employer that will provide you with an appropriate orientation.

Don't rule out your nursing program as a reference source. It is quite possible there is one professor among them who would be willing to provide a reference. Now that you have some time and distance from the nursing program, look back objectively and go through the list of professors. You may well recall one or two that were "on your side" but due to the legal situation they said nothing directly to support you.

If you are unable to identify any faculty then perhaps you have classmates that can provide you with a reference. They have now been practicing nurses for two years, so given that they were able to observe your clinical performance during school they can provide an appropriate reference.

Due to your particular situation; dyslexia, over two years since you've practiced, and difficulty obtaining references from your nursing program you need to be take care to find a position that matches your unique situation. You need to take care not to seek or accept a position that would be inappropriate for you. I would caution you to be careful to avoid nursing situation that are extremely overstimulating and unpredictable. All clinical nursing positions are fast paced and require attention and focus, so this will be difficult but not impossible. You need to be upfront about your situation so that you get the proper support.

If you were able to meet the identified clinical objectives of the nursing program and pass NCLEX on the first attempt you should congratulate yourself. Be positive focus on your strengths, balanced out with the reality of your situation. Sounds like you've faced many challenges and have been successful, gain strength from that.

Best of luck to you on your nursing career.

Meerkat · May 23, 2005

There a number of things you need to consider as you seek your first nursing position.
First, most health care facilities require that hired nurses have been actively practicing within the last year. If the nurse has been out of the work force/away from the clinical setting longer than one year a nursing refresher course in often required. You should seek out either a nursing refresher course or find an employer that will provide you with an appropriate orientation.
Don't rule out your nursing program as a reference source. It is quite possible there is one professor among them who would be willing to provide a reference. Now that you have some time and distance from the nursing program, look back objectively and go through the list of professors. You may well recall one or two that were "on your side" but due to the legal situation they said nothing directly to support you.
If you are unable to identify any faculty then perhaps you have classmates that can provide you with a reference. They have now been practicing nurses for two years, so given that they were able to observe your clinical performance during school they can provide an appropriate reference.
Due to your particular situation; dyslexia, over two years since you've practiced, and difficulty obtaining references from your nursing program you need to be take care to find a position that matches your unique situation. You need to take care not to seek or accept a position that would be inappropriate for you. I would caution you to be careful to avoid nursing situation that are extremely overstimulating and unpredictable. All clinical nursing positions are fast paced and require attention and focus, so this will be difficult but not impossible. You need to be upfront about your situation so that you get the proper support.
If you were able to meet the identified clinical objectives of the nursing program and pass NCLEX on the first attempt you should congratulate yourself. Be positive focus on your strengths, balanced out with the reality of your situation. Sounds like you've faced many challenges and have been successful, gain strength from that.
Best of luck to you on your nursing career.

Thank you...that sounds like LOTS of good advice. Can you tell me where one looks for a nursing refresher course?

thank you so much!!

CHATSDALE · May 23, 2005

major hospital in area probably offer refresher courses or they should know where to get it

you will feel more confident with a refresher course...be up front with the disability...check with a local school or support groups...you may find someone who has a reading program [frequently dyslexics can process spoken word better than written]

there are options out there i hope you find some that you can utilize

lisa41rn · May 23, 2005

Please know you're not alone!! I'm in an RN re-entry program now. It's given at a local hospital and is three months long. Two months of classroom time (two days/week) and one month of clinicals (three days/week). We'll begin the clinicals next week, so I'm 2/3 done!! The cost was $2,000.00 for the course, but is refundable if we work for the hospital for six months.

I graduated eight years ago and adopted our daughter from Romania and never worked as a nurse!! She is our third child, I didn't have to work and chose to wait for her to get into first grade to go back to work. Part of me feels foolish for doing this, but staying home with your kids isn't a terrible thing!! I retook the NCLEX in November and passed with 75 questions. At that point, I could just look for a job, but felt I needed a refresher course and found the re-entry program which didn't end up starting until late March, thus I just began looking for a job.

I ended up getting a job right away and began orientation last week. I hope to drag orientation out a bit while I finish most of the re-entry course. I have to admit I'm exhausted. I'm nervous too. Like I said, clinicals start next week. Had I gotten that out of the way, I'd feel more prepared for the new job. I informed the DON what my situation is and she hired me anyway. I'm going to work 11-7 for now, but it makes me nervous that I'll be the only RN on the floor. I hear it isn't too busy and there are other RN's in the building should I need help, but still I'm NERVOUS. Maybe it's just getting back to work after so many years making me feel this way. My job is in a long-term facility which has a skilled/subacute unit as well for those needing extra help after surgery, but aren't ready to go home. The hospitals get people out so fast, many need extra help. It's not a place where I'm going to use a lot of skills I learned which I don't like, but the hospital setting is so hectic, it seems too challenging to me with all I have going in my personal life. The pay is about $3.00/hr more than the hospitals which really blew my mind!!

Just to let you know, there are 15 others in my class, some having been away from nursing for almost 20 years!! Don't feel alone. Be honest at interviews and let them know how much you want to get back into nursing. It's great you're not waiting too long. I feel I did. Check with your State BON and see what they have for re-entry programs. It's a lot of work, but worth taking. I just wish I didn't run into this job offer and have to finish the course at the same time. Hope this helps!