My license was reinstated after 12 yrs. How do I get a job?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Congrats on getting your license back!  

It can be challenging to find a job as an RN after having your license revoked for 12 years. However, it is not impossible.

Dealing with your past

When applying for a job, you must be transparent and truthful about your past experiences, including any mistakes you may have made. However, highlighting the measures you have taken to learn from and rectify those mistakes is equally important. Your potential employer should be convinced that you have transformed and are not the same person who made those choices in the past. Your character and integrity can play a significant role in landing you the job.

• Be truthful, but do not oversha e. Be matter-of-fact, and do not make excuses for your actions. Emphasize rehabilitation. Highlight the steps you've taken to address the issues that led to the revocation, such as completing any required rehabilitation programs or continuing education.
• Segue as soon as possible to your skills. Focus on your nursing experience, skills, and any additional certifications or training you've obtained since being re-licensed. Any issues related to the previous license suspension are in the past, and the key is demonstrating your competence and dedication as a registered nurse today.

Be Prepared

• Take a refresher nursing course and network extensively while you're in the course to increase job leads.
• Update your resume. Ensure your resume reflects your updated qualifications, including your RN license. Highlight any relevant experience, skills, and certifications you acquired during your time as a phlebotomist and in your nursing career prior to the license suspension.
• Prepare for interviews. Once you start getting interview requests, take the time to prepare by researching the organization, practicing common interview questions, and thinking about how you can highlight your skills and experience during the interview.

Cast a wide net

Utilize your professional network to explore job opportunities. Personal recommendations and connections within the industry can be valuable in securing a job. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, and professionals in the field and let them know you've reinstated your RN license and are actively seeking employment. Networking can often lead to job referrals or recommendations.

Consider joining a professional organization and attending meetings and nursing conferences. Contact everyone you can think of and tell them you're looking for a job.

• Online Job Search. Create a LinkedIn profile and utilize online job boards such as Indeed.com and specialized nursing job websites to search for RN positions in your area. Customize your search by location, type of facility (hospital, clinic, nursing home, etc.), and desired work schedule.
• Contact Employers directly: Research hospitals, healthcare facilities, and nursing homes in your area and contact them directly to inquire about job opening s. Search their websites for job opening s. Many facilities have a designated human resources department or hiring manager you can contact.
• Attend Job Fairs: Look for nursing job fairs or career expos in your area. These events allow you to meet potential employers face-to-face and learn about available opportunities. Bring copies of your resume and be prepared to discuss your experience and qualifications.

Follow  p. After interviews or job applications, follow up with thank-you notes or emails expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterating your interest in the position.

Stay positive and persistent. Job searching can be challenging, especially in competitive fields like nursing, but stay positive and persist. Keep refining your resume, networking, and applying for positions until you find the right fit.

You might find your initial job opportunity in sub-acute care or dialysis. Once you land a job, try to stay with it for 1-2 years to develop a solid work history. As time passes, the significance of your previous 12 years will lessen, and your work history will speak for itself.

Remember that each situation is unique, and the approach may vary depending on the employer and the specific circumstances surrounding the license revocation. 

I wish you the best of luck in your job search and future nursing career.

 Good luck!

Nurse Beth