Job Seeking Problem--Any Suggestions?

Meerkat · Sep 13, 2005

Anyone???

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 13, 2005

Hi...
You might have seen my thread about my current situation. Displaced by Katrina, and I have little more than a few sets of clothes and a cell phone. A family is taking my baby and me in so we are fine shelter-wise.
I want to work ASAP. I have looked locally and filled out apps, but now I am stumped; It's been a while since I worked and my supervisors are no longer there. I don't have the 4 references that I need, only 2 because I have moved so much over the years that I don't have many long-term friends. One of my references is the family I am staying with. I did see a therapist back in Alabama but I dont think it's appropriate to ask for a reference from her, is it? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Katrina Survivor
P.S. My resume and all that is back in Alabama...is it inappropriate to explain my situation to a prospective employer? I do not want a hand-out but I I really need to make some money and start over again.

Hello, MeerKat,

I am glad you are safe. So sorry about your situation.

Have you written another resume? That seems a logical step at this time.

You can get references from your pastor. Since you have a phone, that should be something you can do. You have NO connection to anyone with whom you have worked with in the immediate past? You should be able to make a phone call to your NM at the facilities where you have been employed.

Wishing all the luck in the world.

Siri

Meerkat · Sep 13, 2005

Hello, MeerKat,
I am glad you are safe. So sorry about your situation.
Have you written another resume? That seems a logical step at this time.
You can get references from your pastor. Since you have a phone, that should be something you can do. You have NO connection to anyone with whom you have worked with in the immediate past? You should be able to make a phone call to your NM at the facilities where you have been employed.
Wishing all the luck in the world.
Siri

Thanks Siri.

I think I'm just kind of in a bind...maybe there is no solution. I don't have a pastor, I'm not religious. I have only worked at one hospital b/c i am a new nurse ...and I know that the manager is not there anymore. Before that I didn't work. I have zero contact with anyone from my past except one friend, who is on the reference list already. I'm a loner and I move around every two years or so. I asked my old nursing school profs for a reference but they 'didnt feel comfortable' with it. I'm so depressed...this is a vicious circle...I can't seem to find a way to escape. I have no home, no car, and I WANT to work. I feel like crying.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 13, 2005

Thanks Siri.
I think I'm just kind of in a bind...maybe there is no solution. I don't have a pastor, I'm not religious. I have only worked at one hospital b/c i am a new nurse ...and I know that the manager is not there anymore. Before that I didn't work. I have zero contact with anyone from my past except one friend, who is on the reference list already. I'm a loner and I move around every two years or so. I asked my old nursing school profs for a reference but they 'didnt feel comfortable' with it. I'm so depressed...this is a vicious circle...I can't seem to find a way to escape. I have no home, no car, and I WANT to work. I feel like crying.

Hello, Meerkat,

My heart goes out to you in you situation. I admire you for wanting to do something, too.

Since you have worked at a facility, you can contact some nurses and physicians with whom you worked. They can give you references. Just phone the hospital where you were previously employed and talk with a couple nurses. Get the addresses of the physicians in the city/area of your previous employment and contact them as well. You can rewrite your resume.

You need to go to all the hospitals/clinics around and place your application. That is just about the only way you will get a position. I realize this is easy for me to say, but, I think you know it is true as well.

It does not hurt to tell your story of being displaced. Any nurse with a valid license and good character with a good record of previous employment probably would be welcomed anywhere I am sure. The facility will verify your current license. Just do it. Please. Give it a try.

And, much good luck to you {{{{{HUGS}}}}}