Need Support From My Fellow Nurses

[Nurse Lizzy, BSN, RN]

Good morning fellow nurses, I am in need of some advice/support. I feel as if I am at a crossroads in my life.

I graduated nursing school in 2018 and worked in a rehabilitation facility and had 3 hospice beds in my unit in which I also cared for. After 6 months of being there I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. While being pregnant I found hospice to be a bit too much emotionally for me to handle. In my search for a new job I was approached by a pediatric office which seemed wonderful as I was pregnant with my first child and I had the opportunity to be around little ones in an office setting. I was there until I delivered.

Once my maternity leave was over my position was furloughed due to Covid. Being out of work for another 5 months I was called back and decided it would be best for me to stay home and raise my daughter. I have been home for 2 years now and I miss the nursing field and most of all I miss my patients.

We have recently moved and I didn’t realize my resume was still on indeed. I received a call from a well known nursing agency and even though I was not looking for work at the time they pursued me to onboard with them. They explained in how I could make my own hours and work only when I wanted to. It sounded perfect! I could work on days my husband is off and still be home with my daughter most of the time.

Fast forward a month I went through all their training and medical clearance and I was all set to go. Upon going to my first meet and greet with a client I walked into a nightmare. Within 20 minutes of being there I was on the phone with 911. The patient was a preme with a trach her 02 sat had declined rapidly and the nurse that was on that shift was shaking and kept saying she doesn’t know what to do.

I jumped in and had to manually ambu the baby until the ambulance came as her 02 tank was empty!! Thank goodness we were able to keep her stable until they arrived but being a nurse who has been out of work for over 2 years this was a very scary experience.

I did not feel prepared. They told me this was a very basic case - it was not. I have spoke to other nurses from the agency and this seems to be the norm.

They lie to the nurses about the severity of the cases. I didn’t feel comfortable as I would be alone with this patient so I told them I would not be taking this case.

When I was in a facility at least you had other nurses to help you in the crisis. That being said I put in my resignation yesterday. In the back of my mind, I feel like a failure but I know an unsafe work environment is not worth losing my license.

I feel like I have not found my nitch in nursing.

Sometimes I wonder if I am even suppose to be a nurse. I never thought it would be this hard to find a job that I truly enjoy and feel comfortable with. Being in the house for so long I was really looking forward to doing this for me.

My husband thinks it’s best for me to just stay home with my daughter until she starts school. I’m starting to think he’s right I just have worked so hard for my degree and feel like it’s going to waste. I just feel lost and confused.

Please no unkind comments looking for support and advice. Thank you all.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

You are certainly not alone in finding that your career didn't take the path you anticipated. I don't think that any education is ever a waste. And right now you're in a good position to find work if you like in the nursing field. But if you choose to stay home for a while, that's okay, too. You're the only one who really knows what would work best for you and what you're willing to work for.

It's unfortunate that your recent experience did not turn out to be a safe one, it's fortunate that you were there for that baby. I hope you figure out what will work best for you and your family, good luck!

[HiddenAngels]

Wowzy wow! Yea I would have left that job stat.  Give yourself some time, you’ll find something tolerable.  Not to be a debbie downer but nursings  going to be challenging whatever you decide, just find the least path of resistance.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

If you remain out of nursing for 5 years, it will not be easy to get back in.

Perhaps an agency position in rehab would work . 

[mtmkjr, BSN]

On 6/23/2022 at 12:14 PM, Been there,done that said:

If you remain out of nursing for 5 years, it will not be easy to get back in.

Perhaps an agency position in rehab would work . 

I disagree. I stayed out 20+years. Came back as a nurse refresher and 5 years later I'm a nursing supervisor  in a large well-respected hospital system. I will agree with you on rehab, although that covers a wide range - from long-term care that I wouldn't have any interest in, to where I am in acute inpatient rehab.

There's a lot of support for nurse refreshers in my area.

Had it been my goal, I could have moved on to other areas in the hospital, but I am very satisfied in my current position. 

One of the biggest attractions in nursing is the flexibility, and that includes stepping away for a time and the availability of support for moving back in. 

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

Most tech colleges offer nurse refresher programs. Have you considered calling the pediatrician's office to let them know you're now looking for a position?

[InHisImage, BSN]

On 6/25/2022 at 12:25 PM, mtmkjr said:

I disagree. I stayed out 20+years. Came back as a nurse refresher and 5 years later I'm a nursing supervisor  in a large well-respected hospital system. I will agree with you on rehab, although that covers a wide range - from long-term care that I wouldn't have any interest in, to where I am in acute inpatient rehab.

There's a lot of support for nurse refreshers in my area.

Had it been my goal, I could have moved on to other areas in the hospital, but I am very satisfied in my current position. 

One of the biggest attractions in nursing is the flexibility, and that includes stepping away for a time and the availability of support for moving back in. 

This is certainly not the case for everyone.  I was only out for one year after my son died before I felt ready to go back to work but it took 14 months to get hired in another job.

[InHisImage, BSN]

Some people will find it easy to get hired after not working for a few years but there’s no guarantee of that happening.

I fully support you staying home to raise your child but if you plan to re-enter nursing at some point, my suggestion would be to find a PRN job where you will have the flexibility you are looking for right now.  

There will be criteria that will vary by facility for how many shifts you will have to work per month/schedule and you may have some weekend/holiday requirements, but they should be minimal for a PRN nurse.  

Based on my personal experience you could possibly work as little as 2-4 shifts per month in order to maintain your position.  This would further your experience and should help you to obtain FT work when you are ready.