Having Trouble Finding FT Work

[Spikey9001, BSN, RN]

Hello, I have been searching for full time work in a facility setting for almost six months now. I was working in a correctional setting until November when I lost my security clearance due to getting arrested. I have since then resolved the legal matter positively. Since then, I have been working in home health/private duty nursing but as you all know, the hours are inconsistent and the benefits are nonexistent.

Lately, I've been doing some "out of the box" things that other posters have suggested on here and said it worked for them. Most recently, I applied to my local area hospital and followed up by going to the units I applied to and speaking with the managers personally while handing them my resume. Apparently this didn't go to my liking as the lead nurse recruiter contacted me and basically reprimanded me for "soliciting resumes" to management and to the only way to apply for the job was to just apply online and wait. This is a huge gripe to me because I feel as though online applications are throwing shots in the dark and getting lucky to be selected.

I have about 2.5 years nursing experience total between LTC, corrections and now home care and I have my BSN.

[mvm2]

It can be frustrating as to what to do. Sometimes for smaller places as rehab or LTCs they are OK with you dropping in and filling out an app and handing your resume in. But hospitals want the apps and resume online now because otherwise all day long they will be hounded by people wanting jobs and not get the work they need to get done.

[sourapril]

Even with your past record you were able to secure jobs, so I think you have a pretty good chance of landing a full time job in the future. Do you enjoy correctional nursing or psych? You can apply for government jobs. I know my state health department always hire nurses for correctional positions because it's a hard job and not many people are willing to do it.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Ouch. Failure to follow rules is a huge red flag for hospitals -- who have innumerable rules & expend a lot of resources enforcing them. You may have inadvertently KO'd your chances of being hired in that organization because all applications have to pass through a screening process (managed by HR) before they are passed on to hiring managers.