Need help breaking back into Nursing after being out for four years

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi everyone! I need your help!

Hoping like crazy there are some knowledgeable Nurses on here who can help me with my problem:

I received my RN in 2005 and spent the next two years working mostly in ERs either as a regular employee or agency nurse. My son was born in 2007 and I haven't had a shift since he was less than a year old. My state license is active as are my ACLS and BLS certifications, but at this juncture, no one is willing to hire me on as agency or regular staff because I haven't worked actively in the past couple years.

If this helps, much of the past four years were spent acquiring my Masters of Science in Nursing. I've had that degree since June, but the degree isn't helping me at all.

How am I supposed to break back into the workforce if no one will give me a chance? I am more than willing to switch specialties and take up residency training in that specialty. The problem is, I am severely out of the loop.

My family needs the extra money pretty badly, and I would be happy with part-time work. What are my best options?

Somebody please help!!

Thank you so much.

I am also having the same problem. I have been an RN since 1995. I worked in the NICU until 2008. I have been working home care pediatrics also for 10 years. I am trying to get back into the NICU . I have interviewed 2 times with no luck so far. I'm so disheartened about it. I have a total of 17 years nursing experience and still find it hard to get back. I'm sure hospitals will hire you possibly for a full time night job , but that's not what I want. Good luck to u also

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Four years is a long time...maybe consider taking a refresher course?

Or look outside of acute care for a job to get your feet wet again: LTAC, rehab, SNF, etc. They may be easier for you to break into than to try to get straight back into the ER with 4 years out of the loop.

Maybe that MSN would get you a job as an educator of some sort.

Thank you for your replies. I am actually wanting to break out of ER and go into something else. Not sure how to do this, though. Having just gotten my Masters degree, it would seem less necessary for a refresher course?

I don't even need to work full time. Part time would be fine.

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