HELP!! Finding a job in hospital in Jacksonville, FL

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I really need some help. I have been a nurse for almost three years, but my experience is not what hospitals want. I started at a rural hospital 90 miles from my home... it was way too far & I only did it for 6 months. Then an opportunity presented itself for me to have a position in a dermatology office closer to home. While it was quite interesting & I learned a lot about dermatology that I never learned in school, I don't think it is what hospitals are looking for. I live on the Fl/GA line, so I finally got my FL nursing license back in April.. I was out of work for a while recovering from a hysterectomy (not wanted, only 35 with 1 child & wanted more, but necessary)... anyhow, I got my FL license, was out of work after surgery & was job hunting in Jax like crazy. I never even got an interview. Its almost worse than being a graduate nurse.. I finally found work at a long term care facility, but my position isn't in direct patient care.. which is where I really want to be.. its where I always wanted to be.. I seem to be getting farther & farther away from ending up in a hospital, I feel like since its been 3 years since I graduated they are looking at me as useless... I really want to use the skills I have learned & feel like hospitals are looking at me like its been too long since I was in school. I technically have way over the minimal 1 year of experience they require... but apparently its not in the fields they want.... I am at a loss.. I am 35 years old, I had a great career in banking, but I looked at myself at 29 & decided it was not my "dream" job... any advice, tips, anyone willing to look at my resume & tell me what I am missing, maybe im not putting the right "buzz words" in it? any help would be greatly appreciated... I put my family a great financial risk taking the time off of working to go back to nursing school & now I almost feel like all I did was hurt us financially & emotionally (we all know how crazy nursing school is).. HELP.. thank you for any responses in advance.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Do you hold an ASN or BSN? Also, have you tried looking into a teaching hospital? They are a little more understanding of limited experience. In your area, there is Southeast Georgia Health System, who I know are always looking for nurses. Their main facility is in Brunswick, but they have another facility in St. Marys, which is a little closer to Florida but may still be a distance depending on your exact location on the FLA-GA line.

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Thank you for the response. I have an ASN. I live in Camden County so I am near Southeast Ga Health System. I am very interested in working there as well. I haven't applied with them in a while because I never heard back from any of my applications before. That is why I went ahead & got my FL license as well as GA. I will apply with them and see what happens though. I just revamped my resume so hopefully that will help. I don't hate what I'm doing now, but I really prefer a hospital setting. Thanks again. Any input on where they are looking at SEGA if you are aware would be great!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Apply Now | Southeast Georgia Health Systems | Careers at SGHS

Also, they advertise on simplyhired.com.

If you click on the link to the hospital above, near the bottom of the page is the name of the recruiter. He's very pleasant and welcoming. You can either call him or email him. State your case and kindly point out a previous application. I'm sure he will do all he can to assist you. The position is in Brunswick. The Camden facility location is so small that I question whether or not there are needs. During the time I was with the organization, the RN in the Camden hospital was pulled to work ICU when needed. So, that wouldn't be a good fit for you at the moment. But the main campus has quite a few positions available from my understanding. So, you could possibly get on there, get a couple of years under your belt, and transition to the Camden location if possible.

Good luck to you!

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Have you found work, in a hospital yet? Brooks is great if you like rehabilitation. Their shift differencial for nurses is 5.00 extra an hour and more when you work weekends, plus you can ladder. I also live in St.Mary's. I am a PCT for now, going to school for COTA. I have been offered positions at St.Vincent (the nursing home part,which I do not care for LTC),Baptist (turned down to accept offer at Brooks,pay is low) and recently an offer at Mayo in Waycross (10.60 and hour, with a 3hour round trip drive)no thank you! Not that pay is all I Care about but when you live so far away, a decent wage is essential. I have 13 years experience, even worked as a CNA supervisor. I have been in this area since 2012 and Brooks is the only local place I have worked. Have you tried Shands? I have heard the pay is great, plus it's super busy so the times flies. I have put in, roughly, 40 apps to Shands and have not heard back. Not sure what I am doing wrong myself? Good luck to you.

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Update... I finally got my dream job!! Will be starting at Saint Vincents on the 16th!

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I start there on the 16th too! What department?

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5 east pulmonary med-surg. What department are you going to?

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Emergency department..woo..never done that before I'm excited

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