I can't get a job!!

[ThatBLURN]

Hello nurses,

I worked in Med-surg for almost 2 years ending in December 2018. I also worked as a CNA in an SNF for 3.5 years and a nurse there as well for 8 months. My dad received a diagnosis for HCC and was immediately put on the liver transplant list. I am his only surviving family member, daughter and best friend. So it was a no-brainer to me that I had to quit my job at the hospital (one that I was sure I would be working at for a long time) and move a state away to care for him. I thought it would only be a couple of months off work but he ended up having serious complications that continue to this day. I think he is at a place now where he will be OK with me moving out of his home (to protect him from COVID) and working again. I can still swing by and take his garbage out, mow his lawn, clean his house while wearing a mask and opening windows. I'm just really bummed right now because it seems like all the hospitals in my area aren't hiring. Even if they would, why on earth would they want me when I have less than 2 years med-surg experience and have been off the job for a year and a half?

I applied to some travel nursing jobs because I live near Bellingham WA and could easily hop around all the major hospitals in the NW area of WA. The recruiter basically told me that I didn't have a shot in hell at travel nursing because of the lapse in nursing. Believe me, I have been flexing my nursing muscles during that time off. I have a HUGE list of continuing education, I finish my BSN in 2 weeks, and I have been a patient advocate for my father (which came with a TON of research, keeping track of his meds, labs, and asking the doctors sooo many questions). I feel so hopeless right now. All the postings that I am seeing are for travel nurses.

Can someone offer me some insight and/or advice?

I don't know how to network with COVID happening and I have no friends in the medical field in this area. Any help appreciated. There is NO way that I am going to start from scratch at an SNF. I'm 36 years old and have a toddler so it's time for me to get rocking on my career!

Thanks,

Jennifer

[Nurse GreenBean, ASN, RN]

13 minutes ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Apply. I had no direct nephrology experience, just 20+ years of being a nurse in various settings. Keep applying. Find out who the nurse recruiter for your area is and reach out to them. Call the clinic directly and ask to speak to the manager, and get your name in their head. They can call the recruiter and have your app/resume pulled. They can also give you said recruiter's name. I had interviewed with Fresenius about 10 times, got an offer everytime, except it was for part time (they used to not list if PT/FT). The last time, it was FT, and it was noted in the job description.

Thank you for your insight! The place go ahead and do that today ?

[ThatBLURN, BSN, RN]

On 8/7/2020 at 2:25 AM, Eurobreakstar said:

Sorry but let me get this straight.

you have a young child, no job, gap in history to care for family (props), picky on where you’ll work, and want the best job for your development out the gate despite experience without dragging your nose in the dirt? Sorry but to say you can’t find a job yet refuse to apply at specific places is besides me.

ill clean toilets, flip burgers, dust fans, vacuum lawns, if that means I can provide for my family. I do t care what I do so long as bills are paid and food is on the table. Being an RN, BSN, MSN, PhD, CRNA, MD doesn’t mean jack. You can find a job, it may not be what you want but you have to earn it. Jobs are out there it’s a matter if you feel compelled to do so. Don’t feel your title entitled you to anything. Normally I’m not so harsh on people but your post is grossly misleading and too many sympathizers aren’t sharing reality. Sorry but put the footwork in

To clarify, I never said I wasn't working during that time, I was when I could to provide for my family. I don't believe that it is your business how I provide and care for my family, anyway. Separate topic. Plus, when I was able to work, I scrubbed plenty of toilets! Read the thread before making negative assumptions. I have a gap in NURSING, not in employment. Also, I have no problem taking an entry-level job, or "putting my nose in the dirt". I would never use that phrase to refer to an entry-level position. All I said was that was burned out on nursing facilities and would rather veer away from that. Your "harsh"ness was not a reality check, it was a put-down. Please refrain from contributing to this post if that is what your intentions are.

[ThatBLURN, BSN, RN]

44 minutes ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Apply. I had no direct nephrology experience, just 20+ years of being a nurse in various settings. Keep applying. Find out who the nurse recruiter for your area is and reach out to them. Call the clinic directly and ask to speak to the manager, and get your name in their head. They can call the recruiter and have your app/resume pulled. They can also give you said recruiter's name. I had interviewed with Fresenius about 10 times, got an offer everytime, except it was for part time (they used to not list if PT/FT). The last time, it was FT, and it was noted in the job description.

I love this!! I heard of someone calling the DON and asking if they were hiring then having a brief experience. When her application went through the process the DON recognized her name and she was put on the short list. She ended up getting the job. I thought that I might be too timid to do this but now I'm considering it as an option...

Thank you for all your insight!!

[ThatBLURN, BSN, RN]

4 hours ago, londonflo said:

When I worked home health in graduate school I had 8 hour shifts for those with trachs, feeding tube, colostomy, and so working to prevent bedsores. I wonder if the VNA or a home health company has any home health jobs where you stay with one patient? The agency also asked me to work a regular visiting nurse shift. I didn't feel comfortable with patients waiting for me all day on the stoop having cooked bakery inside, wanting to show me the birthday, holiday cards etc, they received all to receive a b12 shot while I was walking backgrounds out the door. Is this the situation in visiting nurses now?

. Loneliness in the elderly is a horrible outcome of a "me" society.

I'll definitely look into that. Thank you!

Oh! I feel that last part so much! That's why I would stay with my dad if I could. I don't understand the aversion to multi-generational homes in our culture. It has been very healthy for my dad and my daughter. He has told me multiple times, in tears, that he wouldn't have been able to get through this psychologically if I wasn't here. I am going to do everything in my power to ensure all 3 of my parents (including my step-dad) never end up in an LTC. I am my dad's only child but my half-sister lives with my elderly mom and my half-brother lives with my elderly (and sick) step-dad. We all have the same intention. We love them unconditionally and they will always be a huge part of our lives. There is nothing wrong with living with them (except in my case with COVID and immunosuppression w/my dad). I'm still going to make sure that I'm not too far from him like I was when I lived in Portland. Things are different now and I feel like once you have elderly parents, especially those with health conditions, it's really important to be there for them as much as you can. I know there are many reasons why elderly people end up living alone or in an LTC but if there is love and mutual respect in the family, I personally would want to stay as close as possible, if not living with them.

[tmcarn, ASN, BSN]

Falcon RN

I worked in SNF for 15 years. I tried other specialties in the medical field including agency but always went back to SNF. I always get offended when nurses seem to think SNF is beneath them or nurses in LTC facilities do nothing. I do feel your frustration in areas with no nurse to patient ratio a SNF can be very challenging. Especially day and evening shifts. Since I've been working in Delaware staffing has been a nightmare especially for CNA’s. At my last job nurses had to work as CNA’s and many nurses become upset.

I have been hearing about layoffs and nurses not being able to get jobs. I had to stop work for my own protection due to COVID on 4/4/2020. The entire time I’ve been off my phone and email are bombarded with job opportunities. I have had 3 virtual interviews in the last 2 weeks. The major local hospital has a lot of nurses that are from travel agencies and it has been this way the 5 years I’ve lived here. They just seem unable to retain nurses. There are dozens of nursing positions here many in SNF but also in the local hospitals. The SNF facilities here are usually continuing care facilities retirees buy into. All LTC facilities have some type of problem. The last 2 SNF facilities I worked here started with good nursing management and were good facilities. I have noticed that management in the facilities here changes often. I wish you the best.

SNFnurse

[egg122 NP, MSN, APRN]

What about VNS, hospice, dialysis or public health? Also, it looks like Takeda (the pharmaceutical company) is hiring for plasma center nurses in the Bellingham area and probably have nice benefits.

Don't limit yourself to hospital or SNF only.

[amoLucia]

tmcarn - TY For speaking up for LTC staff. We do our best to provide good care for our residents.

Shame we're so often bashed.

[ThatBLURN, BSN, RN]

I realize that I unintentionally offended those working in nursing facilities. For that, I apologize for the lack of clarity. I do not think it is beneath me at all. In fact, I think that it takes a ton of hard work (which I'm OK with but at the facility I was working at, I was powerwalking 13 miles a shift and barely had a chance to eat), critical thinking skill, and excellent nursing judgment. I have tried to clarify this before but I will again here. Half of the covid cases in my county came from nursing facilities and I want to be able to maintain closeness with my father (as well as be able for him to see his granddaughter). So, my aversion to nursing facilities is 1) I know that I prioritize and look at patient loads in a way that isn't conducive to that type of environment, (not saying I think I'm better, I just think differently, those working in NFs are more likely to be more efficient than I am) hence why I am burned out on it (and I want to avoid burn out at all cost) and 2) I did not feel like my passion for nursing was bolstered that much when working as a nurse in a SNF because I had such limited amount of time 1:1 with patients considering the patient load. This might be different in other facilities but then there is reason #2) I have a lot of fear of having to isolate myself and my daughter from my father who has a very poor cancer prognosis. If these are the last years of his life, I have to take into account how safe the environment will be and I have heard horror stories about some facilities (I'd rather not elaborate, I don't want to gossip). 3) I feel like because I already have SNF experience, it might not look that great on a resume if I jump into that right now. I feel like if I try something new, then it'll show a more diverse skill set, which would be beneficial in the long run.

Please don't be offended. I have an immense amount of respect for the work that NF nurses do. Some of my first nurse mentors are those from nursing facilities. Still, some of the greatest nurses I know. I apologize for not making that clear.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

On 8/6/2020 at 2:58 PM, Falcon RN said:

Truth! I just never thought of dialysis nursing. But if it's a foot in the door that puts me in an environment where I can have more time with patients. What is the culture like, from your experience?

I second Hoosier's advice to apply to a dialysis clinic if the field at all interests you. It sounds like a perfect fit for your situation.

I am new to dialysis nursing, came from a background of 25 years in a SNF and was ready for a change. The pay and benefits are very competitive. The schedule is pretty good, no Sundays except for rare occasions when treatments are rescheduled due to a major Holiday and no mandatory overtime which you are likely to find in LTC.

The hiring process took a little time but I just applied, kind of on a whim when I was upset about something or other at my previous job. Not having previous nephrology experience wasn't a barrier at all.

I've found the culture pretty good. Everybody seems to get along and work well together at my clinic.

Hoosier isn't kidding about the learning curve though so if you like learning, which it sounds like you do you'll likely really enjoy the challenge. I'm just getting my feet wet in the specialty and I had no idea how much I didn't know and how much I still have to learn about kidney care until I started. It's fascinating! I can definitely see why everybody is telling me it'll take a year to get comfortable in this role.

Plus from an infection control standpoint it's the highest standard I've seen. PPE is just a normal part of the work routine even before COVID so I haven't seen shortages in PPE like so many are reporting.

[NurseBlaq]

Some good advice in this thread.

[ThatBLURN, BSN, RN]

On 8/9/2020 at 7:27 AM, kbrn2002 said:

I second Hoosier's advice to apply to a dialysis clinic if the field at all interests you. It sounds like a perfect fit for your situation.

I am new to dialysis nursing, came from a background of 25 years in a SNF and was ready for a change. The pay and benefits are very competitive. The schedule is pretty good, no Sundays except for rare occasions when treatments are rescheduled due to a major Holiday and no mandatory overtime which you are likely to find in LTC.

The hiring process took a little time but I just applied, kind of on a whim when I was upset about something or other at my previous job. Not having previous nephrology experience wasn't a barrier at all.

I've found the culture pretty good. Everybody seems to get along and work well together at my clinic.

Hoosier isn't kidding about the learning curve though so if you like learning, which it sounds like you do you'll likely really enjoy the challenge. I'm just getting my feet wet in the specialty and I had no idea how much I didn't know and how much I still have to learn about kidney care until I started. It's fascinating! I can definitely see why everybody is telling me it'll take a year to get comfortable in this role.

Plus from an infection control standpoint it's the highest standard I've seen. PPE is just a normal part of the work routine even before COVID so I haven't seen shortages in PPE like so many are reporting.

Thank you. I appreciate more discussion about this field. It's really piqued my interest. I've been planning out a ton of CEs that would help prepare me for this (at face value). It seems so strange that they would hire someone with not that much experience (well 5 years total, almost 2.5 as a nurse, the rest as an RN assistant in an SNF, many years as a home health caregiver for less mobile adult/geriatric folks & developmentally disabled adults). I took care of TONS of ppl on dialysis at the hospital, and have spent a lot of time in clinics. I always found the dialysis nurses to seem really sophisticated. They looked and acted a little rough around the edges (in a good way), all of them had a super sharp wit, and they were all REALLY smart. I could tell they enjoyed their jobs. Looking back, I think I've always been crushing on that job. The only worry I have is... my tendency to worry. I have GAD. It doesn't get triggered in previous work environments unless I have to deal with Nurse bitterness (the mean type that just hates everybody and wants to pick everyone apart in person and rip them to shreds even harder through gossip- all my nursing friends agree, this is a type who probably is likely burned out or just unhappy). This type was pretty much non-existent on night shift. I find night shift, in general, to be starkly different than day shift in this way. My experience is that all the nurses I have encountered in dialysis seemed to have a passion for it. If I correlate nasty behavior with burnout, seems like dialysis is a less likely place for that to lurk.

It's funny. I can take a beating from a patient or a doctor, and an insane patient load, but I can't handle cruel nurses. They have no place in the profession, IMO, and dealing with them freaks me the -- out, BIGTIME.

I would hate to have panic attacks for a year while I adjusted for the role but it seems like this wouldn't happen.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

AN members have offered solid advice. Visit AN's Dialysis forum for info on this specialty.

https://allnurses.com/dialysis-renal-urology-c36/

Best regards in finding your next position.