rnshallind

Hello everyone. I want to get back to acute care bedside nursing, which includes working in the Emergency Department. How do I do this? First, let me tell you a little bit about myself and the frustrations and obstacles that I have faced in returning to the bedside. I am an experienced RN, having got my license in February 2004. I have worked as a ER nurse, staff RN, Clinic RN, Case Manager, Charge RN, Wound Care RN, Staff Educator, Hospice RN, Corrections RN, Chronic Care Pediatric RN. I have a associates degree. I last worked as a Hospital staff RN in 2008. I left that position because I didn't have enough confidence in myself or my abilities to be an effective RN. Now, with some experience, I am a confident and competent RN. Once, when I was 5 years out of being in the ER, I had asked a ER staff educator at a teaching hospital, how do I get back in? Her response was to let me know that I had been out too long and that there was nothing I could do. I was surprised since I thought that teaching hospitals were there to teach. I was also saddened at the thought that the teaching hospitals ER patients are often being taken care of by new grads aka inexperienced nurses rather by experienced ones. Another RN friend suggested that I apply and get a job at a smaller hospital. I tried. Problem with that approach is that you need to know someone personally. I didn't and still don't. Secondly, I have found from my experience anyway, that nurse recruiters to be less helpful and more of a hindrance in getting back into the hospital. Finally, have faced age discrimination since I am in my 50s. I went on a job interview and the interviewer let me know that the job that I was applying for was "fast paced" insinuating that I wouldn't be able to do the job because of my age. It certainly had nothing to do with my appearance since I am not overweight as this is sometimes can be a hidden barrier to getting a job in the medical profession. I just don't know what to do. Please help?