I've posted here before and gotten fantastic advice

Published

I've posted before, usually with questions related to my husband's recent passing.

So, I'm back with another question.

I think it's time.  Time for me to get back to work.

I'm trying to narrow down where I want to go and what I want to do.  I have practically zero experience (only 1 month on a Stepdown unit before my husband passed).

I think I'd be very interested in some procedural units.  Maybe GI Lab, Cath Lab (although, I know that one is really hard to get into), OR, Wound Care.  I like technology and procedures.  I don't mind patient care, but I don't want to be total patient care, total bedside.

Looking for suggestions from you brilliant people of other units/ specialties that I may be unfamiliar with.

Thank you in advance! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nurse.

Procedural units are in effect, specialty areas. I've not heard of nurses with a month of experience being hired into those positions. (The big exception of course being new grad ICU programs.)

There is a wound care certification that you could get, but I'm not sure if you need to have had xxx number of hours of nursing practice before you can sit for the certification exam.

How long was your hiatus? That could affect your chances as well...

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

Procedural units are in effect, specialty areas. I've not heard of nurses with a month of experience being hired into those positions. (The big exception of course being new grad ICU programs.)

There is a wound care certification that you could get, but I'm not sure if you need to have had xxx number of hours of nursing practice before you can sit for the certification exam.

How long was your hiatus? That could affect your chances as well...

I've been out of work for about 3 months.

I know my lack of experience is working against me, but I've got a pretty good connection at the hospital I want to work at (I did my school preceptorship there), so I'm hoping that might help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retired.
16 minutes ago, Midlife452 said:

I've posted before, usually with questions related to my husband's recent passing.

So, I'm back with another question.

I think it's time.  Time for me to get back to work.

I'm trying to narrow down where I want to go and what I want to do.  I have practically zero experience (only 1 month on a Stepdown unit before my husband passed).

I think I'd be very interested in some procedural units.  Maybe GI Lab, Cath Lab (although, I know that one is really hard to get into), OR, Wound Care.  I like technology and procedures.  I don't mind patient care, but I don't want to be total patient care, total bedside.

Looking for suggestions from you brilliant people of other units/ specialties that I may be unfamiliar with.

Thank you in advance! 

All of the positions you have listed require experience with the exception of 1...the OR.  If you are techy, it is the place for you since you will have to troubleshoot problems but there is a lot of time on the computer. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nurse.
2 minutes ago, Midlife452 said:

I've been out of work for about 3 months.

I know my lack of experience is working against me, but I've got a pretty good connection at the hospital I want to work at (I did my school preceptorship there), so I'm hoping that might help.

Do the specific job descriptions for the positions you want in your old hospital have any wiggle room about experience?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
13 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

Do the specific job descriptions for the positions you want in your old hospital have any wiggle room about experience?

I’m not sure. The job descriptions don’t mention minimum experience.  I think they are really hard up for nurses now so maybe there is some flexibility.  

15 minutes ago, Undercat said:

All of the positions you have listed require experience with the exception of 1...the OR.  If you are techy, it is the place for you since you will have to troubleshoot problems but there is a lot of time on the computer. 

I’ve got a friend who started in the OR straight out of school.  I’m going to talk to her more about it.  

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I'm glad you're feeling up to returning to the workforce, I imagine that some days are harder than others, hope you're doing well.

You probably still qualify for new grad residency programs. I know that my hospital does have a specific OR new grad resident program. Is there anything similar available where you are?

Good luck!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
19 minutes ago, JBMmom said:

I'm glad you're feeling up to returning to the workforce, I imagine that some days are harder than others, hope you're doing well.

You probably still qualify for new grad residency programs. I know that my hospital does have a specific OR new grad resident program. Is there anything similar available where you are?

Good luck!

I think so.  I would definitely want to go that route!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on having the NCLEX behind you.

Happy to hear of your success.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion