ladyloca45

I don't know if it's different in every state, but I have worked P.T. for an agency for 5 years and I like it. The staff nurses are very nice to me in most hospitals I have gone to. They have been very helpful, especially the charge nurse. I do always have the supervisor as back up help also. If you don't like the way they treat you at a hosp. you don't have to return. That is an advantage of working agency. Also, yes you can specify with the agency exactly what shift, hosp, and if outpt. or inpt. you want to work. They will help you find the work you want. I hope this helps you

At this time I am working on getting my BSN through an on-line course. Should I maybe wait until I complete it and then will I be able to start out like a new grad?

Hopefull2009, No, I get these comments when I'm talking to my friends of family and sometimes from co-workers. As far as my employment history, it is kind of eluding probably. Before I graduated from nursing school I worked in a clinic as Medical Assistant/Office Manager for 20 years. I started one doctor's practice with him and he depended on me completely. But it doesn't seem to count for any nursing positions. They just seem to ignore that part of my life. After becoming a nurse my employment doesn't appear very stable because I worked 10 mos. in Tele and quit in Nov. 2002 and didn't work full time again till March 2003. But, I was still working part-time for the Dr. and doing agency nursing at some hospitals. My main problem during this time was the fact that my mother, whom I lived with all but 5 years out of my life, died of gallbladder CA in Oct. 2002. I became very, very depressed after this. My concentration was badly affected and that's why I had to quit the Tele job. Also once I got work in the M/B unit, I was not REALLY better but I tried to tell myself I was. It's a long complicated story but I think I have ruined my chances of getting a nursing job in a hospital. This makes me more depressed, I feel like I have ruined my life and I don't know what, if anything I can do. It seems that the hospitals ignore the fact that I work agency also. The agency I work for really likes me too. Do you have any ideas of what I might be able to do to build a reputation with hospitals? Or does anyone who reads this have any advice for me? I will really appreciate it. Thanx

I passed the NCLEX in 2002. My first job was on a Cardiac surg. step down/Tele Unit. It was not for me. So, then I got a job on OB/Mother/Baby unit in a different hospital. I worked there for just over 2 year and I really enjoyed the job but had to leave it due to family problems. Ever since then I really want to work with babies. I REALLY want to work in a NICU! But I have not been successful at acquiring a job. Well, I do have a job now, in home health pediatric private duty for medically fragile children. But, everytime I go for an interview at a hospital they don't call me back. I don't know if I'm saying something wrong at interview or what. My facial expressions often say something different than I want them too it seems because people make comments that I look like I'm confused or tired, when I don't feel that way! Can anyone offer any suggestions of how I might be able to get into a NICU? I always get the response that they want experience, but how do you get experience if no one hires you?! Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. :redpinkhe

:uhoh21::uhoh21:Hi Everyone! I need to know the opinion of other nurses because I'm not sure if I'm just waisting my time and money. I became a R.N. late in life, graduated with AASN degree at age of 40 yrs. old. I did this because ever since I was a little girl my dream was to be a nurse. But when I graduated high school I was in love and wanted to get married, and didn't have the money or ambition to go to school for 4 more years. I decided to go to Medical Assistant training school and I worked 22 years as M.A./Office Manager for 2 different doctors. I got burned out from the paper work and responsibilities and low salary for that career, so my husband agreed that I should go for R.N. Well it's been 5 years since I passed NCLEX and now I want to get a BSN because I want to advance. I also LOVE school! I know, I'm a nerd!! Anyway, can I hear some opinions on if I'm too old to try to advance in nursing? I'd appreciate any advice I can get. Thank-you:bugeyes: