Is my RN career ruined?

[Nuggiebear]

Sigh. It hurts to type this because I am a massive head case right about now:).

Ok here goes

I graduated RN school in 2007. Top student in my class. I had many, many job offers and decided to go into NICU at a large hospital. I lasted 18 months. 4 of those months I was out with C. Diff which did a whopper on my colon. When I came back I didn't have the strength to keep up with FT so I went to PT ( nights). This worked much better. However, because of the damage to my colon I kept having issues and missed a lot of work. Eventually it was quite evident to me that 90% of the RN's on my unit were sick of me and my absences although I had the time to cover them. So, I started to look for a job that was better for me. My doctor recommended day shift. The hospital didn't have any day shifts open that would allow me to transfer to so I found another job working in a Dr's office.

Worked at the Dr's office for 3 weeks shy of a year. LOVED it. It was the best job in the whole world, really. Great staff, great pay, great environment, you name it. About 6 months in my older son started to have serious issues at school/truancy and I had to take time off I swear every time the phone rang in my office it was his school telling me I had to come get him. I got written up..twice. Then I got pregnant and 12 weeks into the pregnancy I was dilating, had to have a cerclage, my BP was over the roof ( 200/150's)..so I was placed on bedrest I also had hyperemesis gravidarum and had to have in home infusions until I was 22 weeks. I was out on ST disability and when I finally gave birth (33 weeks) my job had already been given away.

I was told I could apply for any other position in the company but I had a preemie with massive feeding issues, severe GERD, etc and decided it would be best for him if I stayed home and took care of him. So, I put my RN career on the back burner to be an at home mom to him.

He is now 15 months old and has outgrown his problems. For the last 3 months I have been job searching NON stop ..resumes galore have gone out and I havent so much as had a call back. I know my career has been pretty much pigeon holed into NICU/OBGYN ( that was the dr's office) so women/babies. I can't seem to get ANY ONE to give me a try breaking into new areas. It also doesn't help that I now have been out of work since I went out of disability in 2010 NOR does it help that the last job has probably told anyone who called that I had an attendance issue for awhile.

Am I just doomed? I even applied for a newborn nursery position and was told I didnt have the right experience..when I have 18 months NICU. I have applied for LT care..which normally is desperate and NADA

I feel hopeless. We desperately need me to work and RN pay is what I need...but at this point I feel I am just fooling myself here and that I should just give up.

Any advice? I know I had a rocky career with being sick, attendance for awhile, then just flat out on disability

Sigh. Am I just kidding myself here with continuing to try?

[somedaypeds]

This is a tough market. I think you need to keep trying. I don't think you are having any more trouble than the next nurse who is job hunting right now. My husband always says, if you are looking for work, that is your job, so give it your all!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Yup, the difference between then and now is that TONS of nurses are out of work. Just keep applying and praying something opens up. You could have a perfectly stellar record right now and still be having trouble.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Maybe take a refresher course or get some extra certifications like ACLS/PALS. Other than that, just keep plugging away and treat finding a job as your full time job (hard with kids at home, I realize). Good luck!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

:hug: The economy tanked. Keep trying. Many nurses are out of work right now I have a colleague, BSN 25 years experience, who has been looking for solid work since 2009 when there were layoffs of the senior staff.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Have you looked at a dialysis center maybe? Are you in a rural or urban area?

[Nuggiebear]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the responses.

I will continue to plug away. I do have some time restraints because we only have one car. So I HAVE to work nights or weekends...but I will keep the faith as you all have given me some hope:)....and...

I actually DID get a phone call back today!! For a pediatric in home care weekend job for a 2 yr old w/ a G tube, Bi-pap, and AB monitor...all this I know well from my NICU experience. Now I just need to line up a babysitter so i can schedule the interview. The lady was super nice and told me just to get back to her by Friday as to when I can come in next week. Its PRN to start but hey Ill take anything!

:)

[pinkbo0tlace]

Nuggiebear - That sounds like a great, great start! Keep us updated as when you start!!

[1998nurse]

~*Wow!!! YOU sound just like me!! I graduated BSN in 1998. Went straight into Pediatrics/L&D/NICU x 7 years. My 3 daughters were all in HS and they needed me desperately, so I had a find a job on day shift....I looked at the hospitals, but, because I was new in town (we moved) I did not have seniority...so I took a job at a busy clinic x 7 years. Once my daughters were all grown up, I started looking to go back to the hospital, I updated my resume'- took ACLS, NRP, etc to look good, but, that did not matter to the hospital administration. "Have you had recent hospital experience"? "Well, no, but, I am an experienced RN and have great ability"! "Sorry, but, we feel you have been out of the hospital too long". I have tried for 2 years to get into the hospital. Nobody wants to hire me. I had a 3.74 GPA and am a FAST learner, great on computers, excellent with patients and co-workers.....never sick and always dedicated to my job...they don't care!!! How do we change this view that Hospital administration has?? I am not sure. Recently, I have applied for a 'Corrections Nurse' and accepted the position. My point? RN jobs are everywhere and not just hospital. Keep updating your resume'- make yourself as attractive as possible and keep your chin up!! You will succeed!!

[canned_bread]

Maybe more education or try agency.

[grtuckerRN]

I am in the same boat. I am wondering what type of things I can do to better my chances. I've thought of getting ACLS & PALS. Are there some other things that one can do?

Desperate....

[bluemartian, BSN]

I feel like in in the same boat, I just completed a nurse refresher clinical practicum and got my ACLS , Ive applied to most of the hospitals in my area and still either rejection letter or no reply.