hard time getting back into nursing... any advise?

Published

Hi

I have been out as an RN for 8 years (raising kids); have 4 years of tele in a major heart transplant center and 3 years of home care experience; have BSN.

I have taken numerous CEUs in tele and beyond over the past month and will be doing refresher course sans the clinical part in a local CC in June. So far, I have applied to many places that ARE hiring med-surg and tele nurses with minimal exp. requirements and still haven't heard a peep!

I am close to being depressed! What am I doing wrong? What else do recruiters need? I have a great cover letter and a resume and address recruiters by their name.... I mark availability for any shift full-time part time, PD.

Will it help to just walk up to managers and hand them in my CV and a letter? Or, is it too pushy and might diminish my chances even further?

Should I volunteer at a place of my choice? Would it help?

Any advise on what to do will be appreciated?

Going crazy!

Thank you!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

You've been out 8 years.

Go network with your peeps from before and get in that way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have moved pretty far from places where I was before.... so, unfortunately, this is not an option for me.

It is a good idea though.... Had I been close to my last job, I could have just gone straight to my old manager whom I adored by the way.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I would walk in to the floor and approach the manager, and introduce myself. It shows you are truly interested. Just wondering why you arent doing the clinical part of the refresher? If you do clinical on the floor to where you have applied, it might be easier for you to get employed, since you have done clinical hours there and you have proved yourself,kwim?

GOOD luck and keep us posted

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.

Same question. Why aren't you doing the clinical? To me, that's the most important part.

Also, I would apply online, wait a couple of weeks, then approach the manager. If she takes an interest, then contact the HR rep.

Also, start networking through nursing associations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go to a nursing home... work there then get a real job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Agree about the clinical part. Unfortunately, it is not being offered as a part of my refresher course. It is rather a self-paced course that is offered at a local community college. I have contacted many of the programs that do have clinical part, but they have been all closed: supply and demand! So, I am happy to find even that one without the clinical part.

The ones that still do exist are too far away. I do not live in a city. Everything is far.

Thanks for your replies!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Go to a nursing home... work there then get a real job.

I have worked there very early in my career when I was in a similar situation right after graduation: no hospital jobs for new graduates. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I swore to never go back (at least, not as a nurse, ha-ha!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.
Go to a nursing home... work there then get a real job.

Um, I thought working in a nursing home is a real job. It may not be for everyone, but it is as real and important as working in a hospital.

I think you should volunteer at the hospital, as well as go to talk to the manager of the floor you want to work on. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.

First of all do not give up!

I do want to stress that the job market out there right now is Exremely tight-so do not take this too personally!

Next, I have always had very good luck by finding out the managers name where I would like to work and then making an appointment to just "talk to them about their unit". Then at that meeting, I really sell myself. It is much more relaxed than a formal interview and twice, over the years, the managers actually took me down to HR and told them to process the paperwork, she was hiring me! In one instance, the manager did not even have an open position posted, she made one. I have found that going through HR is pointless, too big and too impersonal. Especially now that so many application processes are completed soley on line.

The clinical will come back, don't worry, the knowlege is still there. It's like riding a bike! Your "motor memory" will kick back in and you will be starting IV's again with your eyes closed.

Have you given any thought to Pediatrics or PICU?

Since you have been at home with the kids, that may be a great selling point for a job.

Before you freak out, I never wanted to do Peds, however, at the time I was hired, it was the only full time position available and I ended up staying in PICU for 8 years! I loved it!

Kids do crash quickly, but they recover unbelievably fast!

Seems like a good option for you,

Good Luck!! and keep looking, it will happen!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
I have worked there very early in my career when I was in a similar situation right after graduation: no hospital jobs for new graduates. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I swore to never go back (at least, not as a nurse, ha-ha!)

Go to a nursing home with a subacute floor, it's a great way to get back into the swing of things.

I learned a lot!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your support!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion