ga*gal

I am an RN would a year ago went back to work after being out of the workplace for several years. Feeling very much like a new grad, I essentially was in the eyes of most of the employer's positions I applied for. Because I had worked part-time in a methadone clinic for awhile, when I returned to work, I landed a job in an acute psychiatric hospital. Working in acute psych facility, you will find that you will utilize some med- surg skills. Definitely not as many however, but psych patients will have a host of medical issues that you will be treating as well. My advice would be to take the job, work 6 months or so, then begin applying for med-surg jobs. That way, you will have some RN experience, you will have professional references- from the DON, physicians you get to know, other RNs, etc. You may even meet someone who has an 'in' at your dream job. You can tweak your resume to reflect the med-surg skills you will, in fact, do. I work with many new grads who have done exactly that and have been able to move on to jobs that are of more interest. You never know, you may even like it and find it to be a career calling :) In this market, many hospitals are not doing the training they used to- the psych experience will be beneficial, even for a short time if that is what you choose. Your new behavioral health skills will come in handy in any speciality you ultimately pursue. Go for it! Best of Luck!

Hi Jen! This is Brigid, ga*gal, you PM'ed me the other day. Would love to talk with you further about applying for jobs after being out of the workplace for 10 years- you can do it! I also would love to talk with you about my transition from the midwest to Northern California (May even have a job lead for ya!) I'm going to put my email address here- I haven't posted enough threads to be able to private message you back. I'll try this and see how it goes. If you can't read it, please PM your address and I will get in touch with you asap. Let's get in touch soon! [email protected] Brigid

Thanks so much TraumaRUs- Think that is a really good point. Really appreciate your advice- Have a great day-

Thanks Moogie for your advice- I've looked into that program and it does look really good. Hope you are doing well!

I am RN who hopes to return to work after being out raising kids. My last acute care experience was 9 years ago and last worked in an outpatient clinic 4 years ago. I am interested in the ER: In order to prepare myself I am interested in taking courses or obtaining certifications to make me more confident and ultimately more marketable when applying for ER jobs. I had a ER manager tell me to go the TNCC route as obtaining a CEN certificate without ER experience would not be appropriate from a hiring manager's standpoint. The TNCC was recommended as a good alternative. ER nurses, what do you think? Thanks so much for your help and input

Hi Pebbles57! Did you interview with the VA? I have an interview next week with a VA hospital in California for staff RN and was wondering what kinds of questions you were asked during the interview? Did you get/take the job??! Sure it went well :)

Thanks Suzanne4 for your insight- guess those ad can be deceiving... Guess even if there is something that 'fits', there would be lots of competition for that one position... Is this freeze occuring all over the Bay Area as well?

Hello! I am moving to Sacramento area within the next couple of months and, too, have been looking for a RN position. I have looked often on sites such as monster.com, where there are right now 5 pages of 'staff nurse' positions in Sacramento area. Some of the hospitals hiring, for a variety of positions, are: Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Maxim Health, CHW Mercy Healthcare. careerbuilder.com has 104 positions listed within 30 miles of Sacramento. I know that Univ. of CA at Davis Medical Center, is very close to Sac. and they have positions as well. Are you willing to try another speciality to get your foot in the door? Keep me posted on what you find, and if you want, I can let you know what I come across! Are you already out there? We are still in the midwest, buried in snow and freezing our fannies off, looking forward to our relocation to either El Dorado Hills/ Granite Bay/Roseville area. Best of luck to you!

Hi! I have been an RN for about 10 years. Out of nursing school, I worked full-time, for close to 2 years,(peds med/surg) before having my kids. I then worked very part-time in a methadone clinic for three years, and haven't done any nursing, besides volunteer, for the last few years. My children are now at the ages where I feel comfortable working a few days a week and I would like to pursue a job in Hospice. I, however, feel like a new grad! Can any of you offer any advice about returning to nursing after taking time off? Any suggestions for my resume? Do you think that taking a refresher course is necessary? Has anyone recently returned to nursing after being home for awhile? Thanks so much for your help and insight! I am very grateful for any advice you could give me!