Layed off-need advise

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Sep 3, 2004

Sphinx,

The first thing I want to say is don't be disheartened! My first informatics position was eliminated 8 months after I had accepted it, had moved my household some 30 miles and had purchased my first home. This is a hard time but remember to pat yourself on the back for the accomplishments you achieved in this role. The clinicians that are competent and comfortable using the system have you to thank and so does the organization! Keep your focus and energies on the future and securing a new position doing what you love! Take a clinical nursing job that will still allow you to go on interviews for informatics positions. Related to how the organization has treated you - take it with a grain of salt and learn from it - never give less than 2 weeks notice no matter how hot someone is to get you on board and always network, network, network even if you have a stable position .........cause ya never know.

Speaking of networking - have you updated your resume to include this most recent position? Have you contacted recruiters in information systems, HIS, IT? Have you attended any meetings of your local nursing informatics association? Have you visited the job sections of HIMSS, AMIA, ANIA's websites to check out available positions? Have you contacted the HR depts at hospitals in your area about potential IS/IT positions? Have you checked out MISYS's website for potential positions? If you have any contacts through your past experience with their system - give that person a call and network!!! GET TO IT MAN THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE! Let me know if you need recruiter contact info.

Angela

6 months ago I was hired by a homecare agency as the full time software educator, to train approx 80 nurses on point of care (MISYS Homecare). My experience with the system was in use only (field use and office use) and this was my first time instructing. I was the only full time educator. I taught daily with one assitant (who rotated) but I was the lead. I developed cirriculum, a "cheat sheet" for clinicians that has been continuously updated as changes were made, and most recently designed what is virtually a whole new "step by step manual" for education purposes. I have provided back up education, going out with nurses on co-visits after classes when no classes were meeting.
When I was hired, I was hired as a regular full time employee, but was told I'd be in the educational capacity for a year, then they'd "find something else for me". Initial clinician training was due to complete in July and expectation I would continue with co-visits, developing educational material, and teach new nurses to the agency. I was also to be involved with education for the clinicians when the company upgrades to the new version, at the end of this month or beginning of next.
I was told yesterday that my position was being "absorbed internally" as I was no longer needed. Basically thanks very much, but so long. It was very sudden and as it's been 6 months (NOT a year) very unexpected. I am totally blown away and feel hurt and used. When I was hired they were totally hot to have me, needed me immediately, I left my last job with less than 2 weeks notice to meet their time table...now this.
I am left wondering "what next"? My goal has always been to work with computers and nursing, *somehow*. This was my first foray, and it's been cut short. While I was there, I taught daily so never dipped my hands into the other aspects of implementation, so don't have much experience in that way. I don't want to go back to what I was doing before, and am really hoping someone might have some advice. Any ideas what I might do now, where I might look? I did get a nice written reference despite it all, and the head of IT said he'd give me a reference too. I just don't know what to do from here. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

sphinx, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2004

Thank you for the wonderful advice. Unfortunately, I did not do much "preparation" ahead of time such as keeping my resume up to date, etc. but I have rectified that matter, and as of this weekend my resume is up to date and current. I have indeed checked the MISYS home page for openings, and as soon as my resume was spiffed up, I sent it off, as there were some openings I feel I am qualified for. Unfortunately, the MISYS staff that came to us during implementation did not have much contact with me personally, as I was teaching all the time. There were other members of the "core team" that dealt with those matters.Therefore I really don't have contacts there I could get in touch with.

I have checked the job sections of the websites you mentioned, but that was some time ago. I will be sure to keep my eye on them. Re the recruiter contact info, if you could assist me in any way, that would be terrific. Just let me know what you need from me.

I think just recovering from the initial shock has been a big step!

Sphinx,
The first thing I want to say is don't be disheartened! My first informatics position was eliminated 8 months after I had accepted it, had moved my household some 30 miles and had purchased my first home. This is a hard time but remember to pat yourself on the back for the accomplishments you achieved in this role. The clinicians that are competent and comfortable using the system have you to thank and so does the organization! Keep your focus and energies on the future and securing a new position doing what you love! Take a clinical nursing job that will still allow you to go on interviews for informatics positions. Related to how the organization has treated you - take it with a grain of salt and learn from it - never give less than 2 weeks notice no matter how hot someone is to get you on board and always network, network, network even if you have a stable position .........cause ya never know.
Speaking of networking - have you updated your resume to include this most recent position? Have you contacted recruiters in information systems, HIS, IT? Have you attended any meetings of your local nursing informatics association? Have you visited the job sections of HIMSS, AMIA, ANIA's websites to check out available positions? Have you contacted the HR depts at hospitals in your area about potential IS/IT positions? Have you checked out MISYS's website for potential positions? If you have any contacts through your past experience with their system - give that person a call and network!!! GET TO IT MAN THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE! Let me know if you need recruiter contact info.
Angela

Kellink · Sep 6, 2004

Hey guys, in a year I will have my LPN, but i also have an associate degree in computer programming, could I do something like this? Thanks!

sphinx, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2004

One more question. In looking for jobs, it seems strange to me to be considering applying to jobs I don't yet have experience at. For example, there is an ad in the paper (I was surprised to actually see an ad in the paper!) for a Clinical Informatics Analyst that does not specifically state you need experience other than at least a BSN or higher and 1 yr clinical experience. The job decription lists several things, and of them all, the only one I have experience with is training. Is it appropriate to apply for thjis type of psotion? It just feels very odd. I amagine myself going for an interview and looking like an idiot. (I apologize for asking so many questions)

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2004

I am sorry this happened to you. I am pretty much in the same boat/different role in QM. Everyone in all the other offices are gone/I am not on the org chart. Just a matter of time. I would think there would be plenty of people grabbing you.

Have you ever thought of posting your resume on Monster?

renerian

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Sep 7, 2004

Dont apologize for asking questions, if you dont ask you'll never know.

Dont think of it as applying for a position that you dont have "any" experience at. Many organizations are willing to train you and many informatics nurses (including myself) got their original training on-the-job. The big question is are you willing to learn? Besides the training piece you also have some knowledge of change management and process redesign - invaluable skills.

Yes its appropriate to apply for the position but instead of thinking of it as "applying for the position" why dont you approach it from this point of view... when you contact the organization tell them you want to "learn more about" what the position entails, communicate your past experience (dont say I dont have experience doing such ands such - they can read your resume ) and your willingness to learn. Then decide if that particular position is what you want to do and if it would be a good fit for you.

One more question. In looking for jobs, it seems strange to me to be considering applying to jobs I don't yet have experience at. For example, there is an ad in the paper (I was surprised to actually see an ad in the paper!) for a Clinical Informatics Analyst that does not specifically state you need experience other than at least a BSN or higher and 1 yr clinical experience. The job decription lists several things, and of them all, the only one I have experience with is training. Is it appropriate to apply for thjis type of psotion? It just feels very odd. I amagine myself going for an interview and looking like an idiot. (I apologize for asking so many questions)

sphinx, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2004

I am sorry this happened to you. I am pretty much in the same boat/different role in QM. Everyone in all the other offices are gone/I am not on the org chart. Just a matter of time. I would think there would be plenty of people grabbing you.
Have you ever thought of posting your resume on Monster?
renerian

Actually, I hadn't considered posting my resume. there's something about that that makes me nervous. Is that truly something that is done as a legit way of searching for jobs? Would that make you open to haveing a lot of strange people contacting you? I think I'll go off and check into that right now, but any feedback is helpful.

sphinx, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2004

Again, thank you for your advice. I don't want to become complacent, or let too much time go by without acting. I have been actively doing something on this every day since I found out, be it working on my resume, seeking feedback here, or looking for potential jobs, etc.

Dont apologize for asking questions, if you dont ask you'll never know.
Dont think of it as applying for a position that you dont have "any" experience at. Many organizations are willing to train you and many informatics nurses (including myself) got their original training on-the-job. The big question is are you willing to learn? Besides the training piece you also have some knowledge of change management and process redesign - invaluable skills.
Yes its appropriate to apply for the position but instead of thinking of it as "applying for the position" why dont you approach it from this point of view... when you contact the organization tell them you want to "learn more about" what the position entails, communicate your past experience (dont say I dont have experience doing such ands such - they can read your resume ) and your willingness to learn. Then decide if that particular position is what you want to do and if it would be a good fit for you.

perseus29 · Sep 15, 2004

Actually, I hadn't considered posting my resume. there's something about that that makes me nervous. Is that truly something that is done as a legit way of searching for jobs? Would that make you open to haveing a lot of strange people contacting you? I think I'll go off and check into that right now, but any feedback is helpful.

About 6 weeks ago i posted my resume to monster.com; in a couple of days i had a lot of messages from travel nursing companies and some hospitals around the country; since i was looking for nursing computer jobs, i didnt really reply to these enquiries.

The ones that kept calling i called them back and politely told them that i wasn't interested in travel nursing at this point; however, while that went on, i also got calls from recruiters looking for nurses wiht my background; (i also have a computer science degree and currently working as med surg nurse part time, and IT person full time); at first i was hesitant to follow up with these recruiters, but i figured, what the hell---i can always just not pick up the phone and listen to messages so i gave in to one recruiter and told him to "post my resume in his database"; in two weeks i have had about three calls for jobs in the area i was loooking for, but didn't like the geographical areas so i didnt pursue the calls. So my advice would be, post the resume and when the unnecessary calls come, just ignore them or call them back and say you're not interested; i'm sure eventually something might come up; if not at least these increases your chances.

Also, concerning your previous post of not having experience. I got my current job with zero computer professional experience; i decided to interview just to get real interviewing experience cause in the nursing world the only question i was ever asked was, "can you do night shift and when can you start working???" I was competing with all these computer geniuses but my plan was just to strengthen my interviewing skills. Well, lo and behold, i got a job that way, so if i hadnt tried, i'm sure i would still be unemployed like many other computer professionals i know that have tons of experience. So don't be afraid to try---what have you got to lose"????

good luck

sphinx, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2004

Thanks for the advice. That will be my plan for this week. (Last week I applied to several strictly clinical jobs). You're right, if I don't try I will *never* get that job I want. I'm also going to call back on the one resume I did send out but hadn't heard back from. Figure it couldn't hurt to let them know I'm still interested. If they filled the position or are not interested, then nothing lost.

About 6 weeks ago i posted my resume to monster.com; in a couple of days i had a lot of messages from travel nursing companies and some hospitals around the country; since i was looking for nursing computer jobs, i didnt really reply to these enquiries.
The ones that kept calling i called them back and politely told them that i wasn't interested in travel nursing at this point; however, while that went on, i also got calls from recruiters looking for nurses wiht my background; (i also have a computer science degree and currently working as med surg nurse part time, and IT person full time); at first i was hesitant to follow up with these recruiters, but i figured, what the hell---i can always just not pick up the phone and listen to messages so i gave in to one recruiter and told him to "post my resume in his database"; in two weeks i have had about three calls for jobs in the area i was loooking for, but didn't like the geographical areas so i didnt pursue the calls. So my advice would be, post the resume and when the unnecessary calls come, just ignore them or call them back and say you're not interested; i'm sure eventually something might come up; if not at least these increases your chances.
Also, concerning your previous post of not having experience. I got my current job with zero computer professional experience; i decided to interview just to get real interviewing experience cause in the nursing world the only question i was ever asked was, "can you do night shift and when can you start working???" I was competing with all these computer geniuses but my plan was just to strengthen my interviewing skills. Well, lo and behold, i got a job that way, so if i hadnt tried, i'm sure i would still be unemployed like many other computer professionals i know that have tons of experience. So don't be afraid to try---what have you got to lose"????
good luck