Disneyfool

A week or two ago (I can't remember) I interviewed for a 16hr acute care position- 16hr is all they had open at this hospital but I wanted in SO badly. I haven't done acute care in about 16 years. I have been doing project management and clinical software implementation. 4 yrs ago I took a refresher program but then found out I was pregnant so put off going back to clinical practice another 2 yrs. 2 yrs ago I worked part time in a subacute facility for about 8 months, but then an old manager called and promised me the world with a start up company. Needless to say it didnt' work out and I still want to get back to clinical practice so here's what I did- I called and left a message for the nurse recruiter before submitting my resume. After 24hrs (and no return call) I sent in my resume, inquiring about any open nursing positions ont he shift that I wanted. 24hr after that I called the nurse recruiter again and left a message saying "I wanted to confirm your receipt of my resume and I'd love to set up a time to come in and disucss opportunities with you". She called me back the next day and we set up a time. When we met I asked her if they met with / hire a lot of nurses returning to practice after being out so long and she said "quite frankly, no". I was stunned - especially with the nursing shortage over the past few years. She went on to tell me that I made it in the door because I was persistant and really demonstrated to them that I was serious and wanted to be there. I left my interview at 9:30 that morning. I received a call from HR at 9am the following day offering me the job. I start on 9/8 and I'm excited and scared to death all at the same time!! I haven't put an NGT in someone in ages, and I've NEVER inserted an IV. They said they'll work with me to refresh all of those skills. I am SO happy!!!! So if you're unsure if they like you, or are afraid to be too pushy - don't be. The important thing I learned was that they want to know you really want the job. I was afraid I was being obnixious but she said my demonstration of such a strong desire to be there is what got me the job.

Well, today I interviewed at an acute care hospital. I live in MA so it's not a "Boston" hospital, but it's the largest in my area. I met with the nurse recruiter and the med surge floor manager and was out the door by 9:30 (after arriving at 8am). At 10:30 a.m. I got a phone call and then an email- both from professional references stating that they had just gotten a call about me and would they recommend me for the position. I have been on pins and needles all day wanting my phone to ring and offer me the job!!! I felt SO positive about my interviews. I asked the recruiter if the hospital has hired a lot of nurses who are returning to practice and she said they typically don't - not because they aren't interested, but because they are one of the largest hospitals in the area they get a lot of applicants who are new grads and nurses who are currently in practice. She said my enthusiasm about returning to practice and my continued follow up about available positions, willingness to be flexible, etc. is what got me in the door. Hopefully it gets me the job!!! I'm excited that they called my references and also nervous that I'm psyching myself up for something they just routeinly do (that it means nothing). So I thought I'd share - anyone experiencing the same conflicted emotions or have an opinion??

I'm new here and this is my fist post. I found this thread via a web search on nurses returning to practice, as I too am in your shoes. I left bedside back in 1992 and ended up working in utilization management, case management which lead me to a path where I sit now working as a lead business analyst for clinical systems (technology) and I find I hate it. I stopped working entirely when I had my children in 2003 and when I decided to go back to work part time I found a subacute rehab that gave me a chance to get back to bedside care. I only stayed there 8 months before realizing that I needed to work full time (economic reasons) and my child care at the time was not supportive of a nurse's schedule. I was lured back into case management by an old boss because I had all of the flexibility in the world- I could work from home when I wanted and flex my hours according to my families needs. But after a year she left, and subsequently I left (her repalcement felt there was nothing wrong with a 50-60 hour week and told those of us with children to "deal with it". I was recruited back into full time technology work and I'm near tears because this is NOT where I want to be. So.... (sorry for the saga but it leads up to this...) I contaced one of the bigger local hospitals and I have an interview for an acute care position. It's only a 16hr/week position and all they have open so I called the subacute where was a little over a year ago and am waiting for a call back. I'm hoping between the two I can work 32-40 hrs. My goal is to work nights so I can be available if necessary for my kids during the day (get them to schoool, go to bed, wake up if there's a school function, etc....). I was scared to death going back to bedside- even though it was subacute it still meant dressings, meds, pic lines, etc... and within 2-3 weeks I felt like I had never left!!! It was a wonderful feeling. I still felt unsure of myself many many times but people were so understanding and willing to help out. Just take it day by day ... hour by hour. Don't feel stupid to ask questions - not everyone can remember everything 10 or so years later. I wish you success on your journey back to the future!!!