Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!
Dear Concerned,
How to address the employment gap and personal issues
Addressing Shift Concerns
Landing a day shift position can be more challenging than landing a night shift position, depending on the facility and the unit—some facilities award day shift positions by seniority.
During discussions about shift preferences, be clear about your limitations regarding night shifts due to health concerns.
If you are unable to work night shifts due to mental health reasons, it may limit your job opportunities as hospitals operate 24/7. Consider clinics or urgent care centers where the night shift is not an issue.
Stay Informed. Keep monitoring job postings, and consider contacting the hospital's HR or nursing recruitment department for information on potential day shift opportunities.
Returning to Bedside Nursing After an Absence
Be Flexible
While your preference is cardiac critical care, consider being open to related units initially. Once you're back in a hospital setting, it may be easier to transition to your preferred unit or shift.
Remember that every situation is unique, and flexibility in your approach can be essential. It's not uncommon for nurses to face challenges when re-entering the workforce, but with persistence, effective communication, and a positive attitude, you can navigate these obstacles. Best of luck on your journey back into the hospital setting!
Nurse Beth
Published
Dear Nurse Beth,
Need advice. I was a nurse with about 2 years of nursing experience in CPCU/CICU, worked as PCT in CPCU during school. Unfortunately, our CPCU also turned into COVID ICU, I had some tragic personal things happen and working COVID made things worse.
I had no other choice but to leave the hospital. Since then have been working in a wellness store like IVs and IM shots since Summer 2022.
I've done a lot of therapy and finally ready to return to the hospital v excited. However, just had one interview and within two minutes the HR person drilled in and was probing hard asking what my personal situation was and why I wasn't working in the hospital.
Because hiring manager is going to be concerned why I've been gone so long and if I'm going to end up leaving job again. Felt really wrong because she wouldn't give it up. How would you handle that?
Second, I was told most likely going to have to go to night shift to 'relearn' everything. I absolutely can't work night shift it makes me so emotionally unstable.
Im wondering if anyone has ever been gone bedside for less than 5 years? What was it like getting back into the hospital? Do I most likely have to start on night shift again?
Also getting very concerned bc I keep checking job posts and the hospital I want to work at everything cardiac critical care has been night shift jobs, no day shift jobs posted. Is it getting harder to find day shift jobs these days??
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