How many nurses are unemployed or between jobs right now?

HeleneRN · Jun 2, 2005

I just found this web site yesterday so I am a new member.

Your question and thoughts are interesting. I stayed home with my kids for about 8 years after 15 plus years of inpatient work. After all that time, I had no idea how to get back into the field. I knew for sure I did not want inpatient nursing. I am too old for those hours!!

I fell into a part-time substitute school nurse job. The pay is awful, but it is giving me an opportunity to practice an entirely different kind of nursing. I am also working part-time doing home care for a family with three sick children. In addition to the jobs, I have returned to school to finish my BSN (diploma nurse). After that, I don't know what I want to do!! I thought I'd really like school nursing, and I do, but don't know for sure it is what I want when I finish my degree next year.

I am concerned about getting 'settled' into a job before reaching my 50's. I am 45 now, so I have some time to decide. The fact that there is a nursing shortage is to our advantage. The real problem that is developing is a shortage of nursing faculty. Anyway, the demands for nursing education is increasing, but I don't think I want to persue a Masters.

What are your thoughts about this increase in demand for higher educated nurses? How do you think this will affect those of us who have been nurses for so long?

Helene

I am currently between jobs right now, and was wondering how many of you are in the same boat?
Are you unemployed or between jobs because of the problems in nursing? Finding it hard to find a job you like? Looking to change career fields? Wanting to leave hospital inpatient nursing?
I thought it would be nice to have a thread to go to for those specifically at a "transitional phase" in their life employement wise, especially the older population over 40..............and particularly over 50.
Do you feel your age is a factor in your being unemployed right now?
Thanks for everyone's responses. All are welcomed. :)

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jun 3, 2005

Hi Cheerful,

I was moving along very nicely with my plan for a whole change in our situation when he developed some other problems, had to get those taken care of, took a while to get connected to the correct physician, but we are moving ahead and all things are a go now.

Here in WV, nursing is not in crisis, oh they talk a lot, but there really is no shortage, age is a BIG factor, and with the big gun in Charleston taking over more and more facilities, it will be harder for older, experienced nurses to get jobs unless they are speciality nurses. While many facilities say experience is wanted, they only want so much, no way do they want to pay a fair salary for an experienced nurse. It is easier to adopt the attitude of, give them time they will learn(while the experienced nurse is just expected to keep on picking up a heavier load without any perks.) Sign on bonus is not a factor here, some places advertise, but most do not offer them. Nurses with some time with the facility are often forced out, pensions are NEVER what they said they would be, and medical insurance is too expensive to carry if you do retire. Retentions bonus is unheard of here.

I may be different than other posters, but I cannot say the stress of nursing has increased for me. The attitudes of administrations, hot-shot doctors, and some of the new grads has me asking the Lord for help many times. I have taken up my quest once again, hopefully I will soon be into my new situation. I pray it is as good as I have been lead to believe it will be. I know that I need this situation to be good for my mind and my soul. I really do not want to think I will end up hating something I have spent over 20+ years doing. I hope this post makes sense to you, I have left out some issues but you know what I mean. :nurse:

Stitchie · Jun 3, 2005

I am not currently working; I was working in the ED until my DH & I adopted twins from Poland. I turned 40 at the beginning of the year.

I was fired from my ED position after pursuing the adoption benefits I was promised when I took the position. I didn't get the benefits, vacation or time off I was promised -- in writing. I have had to file with the state of IL to compel the hospital organization to pay what they owe me -- I had over 80 hours of unused, unpaid vacation time.

In a couple of weeks I will be returning to work 2 Saturdays per month, 8 hour shifts, on a written contract to an outpatient surgerical center. This allows me to stay home with my 18 month old daughters and keep my skills until the girls start pre-school or I find adequate child care for my incredible baby girls!

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jun 3, 2005

Stitchie,

This ER job was probably going to be difficult to maintain with the new daughters from administrations POV, so you were expendable. It will probably turn out to be a blessing. I hope the weekend job works out for you and the daughters. They need you now. Good luck and congrats on the twins. :balloons:

live4today, RN · Jun 3, 2005

:balloons: Welcome to Allnurses HeleneRN!:) You asked: "What are your thoughts about this increase in demand for higher educated nurses? How do you think this will affect those of us who have been nurses for so long?"

IMHPO...I think the increase in demand for higher educated nurses is a good thing because sooner or later we all have to say "hello" then "goodbye" to that which enters our life. None of us can escape "change". :)

The effect it will have on those who have been nurses for a long time depends on their level of nursing education, time actively spent in nursing, and what each individuals goals for themselves might be. As for me, I'm an older nurse who feels "the change" in today's nursing. Age eventually becomes a challenge when working inpatient nursing, but when working management, working in the clinical education side of the house, triage nursing, and for other "away from the bedside" nursing jobs, our experience comes in handy and is still wanted...........IF we have continued our educational climb towards a masters degree. At least this is what I'm finding as I research job possibilities for myself.

I find that I need to return to school (I'm an Associate in Applied Science Degree graduate) with 133 quarter credit hours since 1987. Now that my children are grown, I am doing a lot of soul searching about what career choice to pursue now that I'm in my early fifties.

To the young nurses (young in age...under 40)...keep going until you reach a minimum Bachelor Degree in Education, then on for a Masters Degree. Get the degrees while you are fresh in the learning process of growing in your career. This of course is my own hindsight wisdom staring me in the face.:)

live4today, RN · Jun 3, 2005

STITCHIE.......CONGRATS ON THE TWIN BABY DAUGHTERS!:balloons: I don't blame you for choosing a minimal schedule in working outside the home so you can be more present for your babies. Do NOT mourn the loss of your "old ED job" because it sounds like something better came along that fits your family life so much better anyway! :)

BAREFOOTLADY...I totally agree with your assessment of hospitals not wanting to pay for our experience. We know too much when it comes to how they play "the game of hospital politics". The new grads or nurses who have been nurses for only a few years can be groomed/conditioned to their liking, so of course they prefer them over us.

I love the new grads...their freshness, their updated knowledge, their excitement to finally be a nurse and put to action what they've waited so long to do. I support them completely in their nursing careers, their educational endeavors, and highly recommend they continue with their education because our country is going to continue to advance and become more "corporate and techno".

I've enjoyed the ride of being an excellent nurse caring for so many wonderful patients during my 18 year reign. A doctor heard me say that I "used to be a nurse", and he quickly and respectfully said to me "You will ALWAYS be a nurse whether you are actively working as a nurse or not." Then he smiled at me and gave me a hug. :) Not all docs are poison. :chuckle

leslie :-D · Jun 3, 2005

i'm inbetween jobs- will be starting a new job on 6/6.

i was terminated from my job after working there full time x 7 yrs as a hospice nurse- there was a pt incident where the dept of public health got involved. it was my interview w/the investigator that got the facility into a lot of trouble- then both my sister and mother were dx'd w/ca;

had a job briefly working baylor but couldn't stand the hrs (nocs) and also couldn't bear to see so much suffering-very stingy w/narcs, even w/terminal ca....so i quit, not having another job behind me.

i took a few months off and am leaving hospice altogether now.

when my mom died in december, my passion for hospice died along with mom.

so now i've been hired to be an acute dialysis nurse w/an extenive training program. sounds fascinating; company has excellent reputation and i'll be going from hospital to hospital doing bedside dialysis for those in the icu. don't know all the specifics but was told i wouldn't be staying at any one place for too long. i'll understand more of the job description as i putter along. but i am excited and optimistic. thank you God.

leslie

Winknme · Jun 3, 2005

I worked as a hospice nurse for all of 3 months when I realized that it just wasn't for me. Stingy with narcotics - yes. And for patients with n/v this particular hospice wouldn't even consider duragesic patches. Ethically, couldn't work with the restrictions... Very sorry about your Mom.

I am in between jobs now - partly because of the way nursing has changed and become, and partly because I have plantar fasciitis in both of my feet. Would love to find a new career - and am taking some assessment tests to see what I actually might LIKE to do.

live4today, RN · Jun 3, 2005

Leslie...........good luck on your new job coming up! :)

Winknme........I know what you mean. Nursing has changed over the years, and it is far too abusive for me to participate at the bedside anymore. The understaffing and lack of autonomy in nursing is what bothers me the most.

I had plantars fasciitis a couple of years ago, but once I went to the doctor and had special footpads made for me, I haven't had any problems with my feet since that time. Have you gone to see a doctor yet? There is help for your poor tired feet honey. Don't suffer.........see your doctor. :)

markjrn · Jun 3, 2005

My DW is currently unemployed, partially by choice, partially by circumstance.

She's 36, a year into a leg/foot injury that resulted in 6 broken bones (and still counting) and now diagnosed with diabetes. She was just starting an ICU position but realized that she was not healing. Was then diagnosed with diabetes. She had a desk job but worked with toxic people and just couldn't take it anymore. She was also harrassed by her employer about her diabetes diagnosis. She refuses to ever work as a nurse here again. So we're looking to move. She's been in a transition phase for years, though. Interested in being a Diabetic Educator or Dialysis maybe. She's beating herself up over not working.

I'll have to direct her to this thread. Best of luck to everyone here.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jun 3, 2005

i'm inbetween jobs-
leslie

Leslie,

Had no idea you had so many hardships recently in your life. I'm truly sorry for the loss of your Mom. I can't even imagine in it. I'm glad you took some time off to grieve and get away from the stress of nursing.

Excited for you starting as a dialysis nurse; always thought that would be interesting to get into.