I Am Feeling Like the Biggest Loser...

Stacy in North Texas · Nov 24, 2009

I am an RN with an ADN. I took a break from nursing for 9 years. I didn't want to go back, but had to because of the economy. I also did not want to have to take a refresher course. SO, what I did was ask a doctor friend of mine if I could come into his busy ob-gyn office and shadow his staff. I just told him the truth and said I would so appreciate getting my feet wet again. I figured it would all come back to me (and it did). He ended up hiring me part time. My prior nursing experience was L&D, so going to work for an ob-gyn was a good fit for me. Granted, office nursing uses a different skill set than bedside nursing, but my point is, maybe you could ask around and see if anyone would be willing to let you shadow a nurse. It could lead to something like it did with me. Good luck.

walk6miles · Nov 24, 2009

What makes you think you are a loser? You spent the bulk of your time raising your family - sounds like you are a winner to me.

Have you applied at physician's offices, school nurse, walk-in clinic, etc. to get some "experience". Don't you dare give up..... you are only a loser if you give up your dream (and nursing has sooooo many opportunities). God bless, dddance2tonight!!

Cyan8181 · Nov 24, 2009

Volunteer somewhere: clinics, not for profit agencies, etc. It's a great way to pad your resume, stay current and make contacts.

freefalr · Nov 24, 2009

iluv, you have been focused on doing the hardest job in the world, being a mother! it is a blessing that you were able to spend those years full-time with your children.

are there any community health screenings, etc. through the nearby hospitals or clinics where you could volunteer a little? is there a free clinic? you never know who you might meet.

don't let this crappy job market make you feel like a loser. keep at it & someone will wake up to the fact that you're a great nurse and provide you with a sound employment offer. you will be on your (tired, aching) nursing feet before you know it, polishing off those skills you had tucked away for a while. don't give up! :heartbeat

iluvdetroit · Nov 24, 2009

Thanks to all of you for your kind responses. I know that being home with my kids was so important, and I will never regret it. I just wish that someone would give me a chance, because it hasn't been that long, I have an excellent, clean record, and I know that I give good care.

I hadn't thought about volunteering, and I will look into that. I also hadn't thought about shadowing someone, but why not ask? All they can say is "no", right? As far as jobs like school nurse, etc. I live in SE Michigan, where the economy has been hit harder than almost anywhere else in the country, and our governor just announced that they are cutting funding (again!) for the schools, so I can't imagine any school hiring a nurse right now, but it's a good idea. I did apply online at a dialysis center, but I got an automatically generated email back from them just now saying that they will review my qualifications and let me know if I fit their needs. However, it also said that "due to the high volume of applications that we get, we regret that, if you do not fit our needs, we may not be able to get back to you at all, but thanks for your application"...not too promising, but I will wait and see.

Thanks again. You are all terrific and I can see why you are all nurses. It takes a special breed, doesn't it? :loveya:

DawnSue · Nov 24, 2009

Michigan. Say no more. It's not you.

Don't beat yourself up.

I sometimes struggle with some mixed emotions about staying home with my kids -- when my class wrote resumes for a project, I had a LOOOOOOONG gap of time where I didn't have much to put down for employment, since, aside from freelance writing done from home, I have been home with my kids for 16 years.

So I was honest. I wrote down what I did as a mother that might be helpful to a nursing career --

a few things were -- knowledge of velopharyngeal insufficiency r/t cleft palate, feeding issues with craniofacial anomolies, multiple surgeries for my son, biomedical interventions for autism, etc....

I also listed volunteer work (educational surrogate parent for foster kids --often dealt with meds mgt. on these totally overmedicated foster kids)

When I looked at the list, I felt pretty good. When you stayed home as a mother to your kids, I am sure you did a lot more than simply watching Oprah, clipping coupons, and folding laundry.

:heartbeat

linzz · Nov 24, 2009

Although I am not a US citizen, my father is, so I know that the market where you live has been very hard hit. My spouse also travels to Michigan and tells me, it is tough there right now. However, you know that already.

Never think of yourself as a loser, you are not. You are just in a tough situation.

Do you belong to a professional association, sometimes they have on line things you can go to for CE credits or they may put some educational things on their website which won't cost you anything.

Maybe like the others said, consider volunteering anywhere just to get your name known. It sounds crazy that you should have to do this but I truly believe that this down economy will not last forever.

Good luck and let us all know how you are doing.

SoundofMusic · Nov 24, 2009

Oh, gosh, OP, here is a huge, hug [[[[[[[[[[[[HUG!!!]]]]]]]]]]]]

I can relate to those feelings. I was a stay at home mom for 15 years! Actually, I was a military wife who followed my husband and basically gave up on my first career w/ all the moving. So, here i was hitting 40 w/ no career, and I went back to school to be a nurse.

Someone like you I would totally admire, because a. you have past experience, and b. you have raised your family already.

Try whatever works. You ARE in a tough market right now in Michigan. I hear it's terrible there. Perhaps you can try many of the paths mentioned here and weedle your way back in. Perhaps also there are scholarships available through local hospitals to advance your own degree somewhat? I don't know. They have them around where I live.

Heck, even if you take a class at a time, at least it says to potential employers that you are working to advance your education.

We need nurses like you back on the job as many of us newer grads are very inexperienced and aren't being precepted by much better at times. Don't give up and definitely don't blame yourself.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2009

Please don't feel that way! I too was exactly where you were 4 months ago. Having a ton of hospital experience, I had a difficult time finding a job. My husband had to stay at home for medical reasons and it forced me out of a 5 yr retirement for FT employment, leaving him and our 7 kids at home.

I thought I could find something right away, but I found out otherwise. I 'only' have a ADN and like you said, many hospitals want BSN at the present time. Never mind the fact I had 20 yrs experience.

I finally landed a job at a rural hospital. Not my first choice. The entire nurses station is not much bigger than my living room, lol, but they took a chance on me.

I was honest in the interview, stating why I was back and why I left. I really patted myself on the back for being able to multitask, deal with a special needs child and still hold it together at home. I also said in confidence that I KNEW I could come back. The skills never are forgotten.

I did have to take a bit of a paycut, but I landed a job that pays pretty well even though they gave me only 16 yrs for 20 yrs.

Even though this wasnt my dream job, it has pushed me to learn cardiac, step down and be ACLS certified. Never thought that would happen!!

If I were you, go get your ACLS, update the BLS and start studying some online courses if you can. That will also help boost your confidence.

Good luck, if I can do it, you can too.

iluvdetroit · Nov 24, 2009

Thank you all so much for the encouragement. I did update my BLS back in May, and I earned 120 CEUs this year through an RN refresher course, so I will continue to search and to pray for something to come along.

Thanks again.:heartbeat