Re-entry nursing after trauma

[Katrina RN]

Hello,

I am seeking feedback regarding my current situation. I am a 50 year old woman who just got out of a domestic violence situation a year ago. The violence was profound and lasted for many years, during which time, my life was just too chaotic and dysfunctional to be able to hold down a job. I also slipped into a serious depression, ironically AFTER I got out of the violence situation. So over the past year, I have been receiving treatment in the form of therapy and medication, to overcome the depression and trauma, as best as I am able to do. In the meantime, I havent worked since 2008 but I do have 14 years experience as a cardiac nurse prior to that. I am now faced with the daunting tasks of getting a divorce, selling a home, finding a new home, empty nesting and having to re-enter the work force ASAP in order to survive. The problem is that its been so long since Ive worked, and Ive been through so much in the years since then, that I have lost all my confidence and even a sense of direction as to what type of nursing I should even get into. I have always kept my license active, no lapses, and its in good standing. I just dont have a clue what to do with it at this point. Ive been searching on line and off, for some sort of vocational rehab/career counseling that is specific to nurses. I have no idea where to begin searching for a job online (the last job I had was 10 years at the same place and things have changed in the world of job hunting since then), I have no idea what kind of nursing would be best for me at this point in my life and Im struggling to gain some semblance of confidence to just get the ball rolling. Im wondering if anyone has any thoughts, advice or direction to offer, as to resources where I might find this type of career counseling. Im also interested in suggestions as to areas of nursing practice that are in demand right now, that might be "outside the box" of acute care/in patient nursing that everyone automatically associates the profession with. Im thinking there must be many different kinds of nurses, and nursing jobs, that Ive never heard of or considered before, that might be better options for me now, at this point in my life. I feel certain I cant return to critical care at this point and just lost as to where to go from here. Thank you all for your time in reading this and for any thoughts you might have to offer.

[DawnJ]

I'm sorry to hear what you have been through--you are a true survivor!

I'd look into a refresher course so you can show employers that you are ready to hit the floor. Also, leverage your nursing contacts, the people who know you. They will have insight as to openings that may work for you and be able to recommend you.

You may also look into a staffing agency and get your feet wet with flu shot clinics, wellness fairs, clinic work, etc.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I agree with the above advice.....a skilled nursing facility, or home health may be feasible rein try positions...

besy wishes

im sim very proud of you

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

For some reason, the first thing that popped into my head is palliative care. I floated a few times to an inpatient palliative care unit at one hospital, and I really enjoyed the low-key atmosphere. You are still taking care of sick hospitalized patients (i.e. you still get the good hospital money and benefits), but it's a little harder to mess things up - they are already in the dying process and you are mostly giving morphine, ativan, robinul, etc., and making sure you do your q2 turns. At least that was what it was like the days I was there.

I really liked the physical atmosphere, too - the rooms are usually larger, there are nice couches/beds for the families to sleep on, and the unit I floated to even had a full kitchen and kept a stock of cookie dough so we could bake fresh cookies for the patients' families. It felt a lot more warm and compassionate than any job I've had. The families are very upset, of course, because their person is dying - but you find that on any unit, and I still thought the families were less obnoxious than somewhere that the patient is awake, alert, and being treated aggressively.

As far as finding jobs, you can always look on some type of career site, but I've found it easiest just to apply through the health systems themselves. Look up the major systems in your area, go to their websites, and find the careers section to apply for the available jobs.

[Katrina RN]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond...the situation at home lasted for many years and I lost contact with a lot of people but I am starting to reconnect just recently. Im also looking into RN refresher courses because no matter what I end up doing, that will look good on a resume and will be good for my confidence to see that my brain still works! Problem is, there arent that many out there, in the real world I mean and the online ones don't provide clinical experience which I believe makes them of lesser value on several levels. As far as staffing agencies, Im only familiar with the ones that staff acute/in patient care (I used to work for one and it had me in everything from ICU to psych), Ive never known any to staff clinics etc. I will look into this. Thank you again so much for your time and input!

[Katrina RN]

Thank you so much for your feedback, I am going to look into these types of jobs and thank you for your words of encouragement as well!

[Katrina RN]

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas here. I was considering hospice work, like perhaps an agency that handles hospice care in the home but what you mention sounds better actually. I will definitely look into this and thank you again

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

If you survived all that you can definitely do this. Assisted living may be a good fit or psych nursing.