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You guys are the greatest. Within a matter of 6 hours, you've helped me turn it around. Another experience to learn from--but not necessarily repeat.

LOL, SkyGoddess. I appreciate your sentiments. For everyone's sake (especially the johns) let's hope it doesn't come to the street corner!

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support!! I really don't think she bothered to read my resume ahead of time. She didn't even ask me a single question as she scanned it over. I am hardworking and reasonably intelligent. This too shall pass...

Thanks. you're right about the ONE person evaluation. I'm in IL. I'm pretty bummed right now, but I'll get over it...

Hi All, I had an interview this morning with a long term care facility in my area--a decent one by reputation. I had sent in my resume about a week ago, and was so happy to be called for an interview. I have been out of nursing for 20 years, am looking to get back into long term care. Took a refresher in the fall. Passed NCLEX this Spring. Hid nothing on my resume, including when I graduated and the last year I worked in nursing. My interview lasted about 7 minutes and mainly consisted of the DON telling me that not only would I not get a job at her facility, but I wouldn't get one anywhere that provided skilled care. She softened up a bit then, and said that she was just being honest, and that maybe I COULD do it, but it would be really hard, and she would be setting me up for failure if I were hired. She suggested I try to find a day program or assisted living to work my way back into the field. Since my resume is very clear about my experience, I'm not sure why she bothered to call me in. Needless to say, my confidence is pretty shaken as this is my first interview out of the gate. I'm wondering if I made a mistake in even trying to do this. I do need to find a job with benefits, and maybe just wasted my severance period in school and studying for NCLEX. Any feedback? I would appreciate all.

You're scaring me!! Thanks!

Thanks for your responses. I'll try the negotiable...

Hi All, I am returning to nursing after 20 years away. I took the RN refresher, and re-took NCLEX last month. For all intents and purposes, I would be considered a new grad I guess, even with 13 years of long term experience so long ago... I am starting to apply to nursing homes in the NW suburbs of Chicago. Some of these companies are asking for salary requirements or salary history from me. Since my last position was about as far away from nursing as you could get, I wouldn't consider this information to be relevant to a LTC hiring manager. ?? Also, I am unsure as to what to ask for in response to a salary requirement. I don't want to lowball myself into being poorly compensated...at the same time, I don't want to seem "greedy" or crazy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Also, is there a difference in pay for an assisted living facility? I would expect that it would be a little lower, but does anyone know how much? Thanks!!!

Hi All! After having had an inactive license for the last 15 years, I returned to school to take a refresher course and passed NCLEX on March 15 with 75 questions! Truly a miracle, since I last took boards 33 years ago... I received my pass letter and mailed my $50 fee to the state the following week. My license is still showing up as inactive on the web. I was hoping to at least see that it was active at this point in time so I could start job hunting... Does anyone have experience with IL reactivating a license? I'm wondering if my one time 29 year old DUI is slowing things down. I received ATT very quickly from the state, after supplying all the information that I could. Is this just a normal wait time? I'm in Illinois. Thanks!

There was never a problem with my nursing license. I had it at the time, and for 14 years following. I would think that the BON might feel kind of silly holding it up at this point in time.

Hi All, I've been out of nursing for quite some time. Things have certainly changed! I will be starting an RN refresher course in a couple of weeks, and am excited to begin my return to the profession after a stint in the business world. I have a question about the background check, and the possiblity of these results interfereing with my ability to take the NCLEX or find work. I was licensed in IL as an RN when I got a DUI in 1982, and remained licensed until I went inactive in 1996. I've never had any more legal difficulty, and my license was never in any jeopardy due to the way things were at the time, I suppose...lax. Just a dumb mistake from my youth. Since I held a license for so long after I got in trouble, is this something I need tomention or is it even an issue? Thanks to all for your feedback!