Unemployed for 2 years, No one wants me anymore.

Nurses Retired

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I was always a go getter, I did my work effectively, improved my self with courses, seminars, CEUS, and always wanted to learn more about my job as an RN...especially the practical side....however...it means diddly now...after being out of the loop for over 2 years after being let go from my job for lack of work*yes I kid you not) as well as many others in my facility for the same reason...the real reason was money....I am at a major standstill in my career....I have been injured too many times at work to count and this has changed my direction in Nursing. I cannot even get a stupid medical office job...They say I am over qualified....tell me something...when you tell the Recruitor you are changing your career choice due to the inability to do heavy lifting and physical work does this affect your whole Nursing career? Do they hold this against you when you are applying for a position, I think they do...secretly....where is this so called Nursing shortage? And what the hell are these facilities looking for".....Nurse aliens from space that can do miraculous feats at work?,(not that we dont do that now) I am just so disgusted ......I have put in so many resumes and have done the beat.....its futile.....what does an older nurse do that can still out perform any of the younguns that are popping out of school nowadays?>

All I hear, is that, "we want someone with recent experience". I can't get, "recent experience", because no one will hire me to get, "recent experience". Or, "you need to take a refresher course", to the tune of $2- $3000. If I can't get work, where do I get 2 or 3 thousand dollars to take the refresher course?

It is a scam to keep older, more experienced, nurses, (read, "expensive"), out of the workforce. If it costs them money, like new grads do, they are not interested.

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Well from this old nurse's point of view, it costs the administration more with constant turnover rates,than if they hired us crusty old bats....:D

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.
I was always a go getter, I did my work effectively, improved my self with courses, seminars, CEUS, and always wanted to learn more about my job as an RN...especially the practical side....however...it means diddly now...after being out of the loop for over 2 years after being let go from my job for lack of work*yes I kid you not) as well as many others in my facility for the same reason...the real reason was money....I am at a major standstill in my career....I have been injured too many times at work to count and this has changed my direction in Nursing. I cannot even get a stupid medical office job...They say I am over qualified....tell me something...when you tell the Recruitor you are changing your career choice due to the inability to do heavy lifting and physical work does this affect your whole Nursing career? Do they hold this against you when you are applying for a position, I think they do...secretly....where is this so called Nursing shortage? And what the hell are these facilities looking for".....Nurse aliens from space that can do miraculous feats at work?,(not that we dont do that now) I am just so disgusted ......I have put in so many resumes and have done the beat.....its futile.....what does an older nurse do that can still out perform any of the younguns that are popping out of school nowadays?>

First of all THERE AIN'T NO STINKING NURSING SHORTAGE. That is mostly BS and a recruiting tool for nursing schools, as well as an excuse for companies to import foreign nurses who will do what they are told, when they are told, and how they are told. Same story in the IT industry.

Secondly, NO THEY DON'T WANT YOU or anyone else who has any kind of "special" needs. Why would they, when they can get someone else and transfer them at will to any unit if they so desire? Why would they hire someone with a long history of on-the-job injuries and take on that liability?

Third, the fact is that you CAN NOT outperform any younguns (who can't find jobs either, of course), who are willing to work 12 hour shifts, midnight shifts, double shifts, changing shifts, on-call, per diem and anything else the EMPLOYER needs, not what the EMPLOYEE needs (or wants).

Fourth, you are NOT entitled! Get off your high horse. You've already experienced the fact that you can, and have been, easily replaced. It is you who has to fit in, not the employer, after all.

Fifth, check out getting on disability if you can't find something better to bring in the bucks.

My 2 cents that you will hate to hear.

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.
All I hear, is that, "we want someone with recent experience". I can't get, "recent experience", because no one will hire me to get, "recent experience". Or, "you need to take a refresher course", to the tune of $2- $3000. If I can't get work, where do I get 2 or 3 thousand dollars to take the refresher course?

It is a scam to keep older, more experienced, nurses, (read, "expensive"), out of the workforce. If it costs them money, like new grads do, they are not interested.

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Not just "expensive" in terms of pay, but in terms of health-related absences, being more demanding and critical of the way the company does business, being less willing to change shifts, work double shifts, take mandatory days off, and so on.

As a re entry nurse I have been working in geriatrics for the past 4 years in home health as a visiting supervisor and part time office nurse manger. Never have had any complaints. Of course never have had any compliments either, no surprise, except from the clients who always were glad to see me. I pride myself in my ability to do good work, communicate well with staff and client,write letters for the admin. to local businesses and schools, keep up with online CE's, member of local nursing board and of course loyal beyond the time clock.

After 3 yr. on a Friday at 5PM the owner asked me to stay for a couple of minutes to talk.

She said the following to me: " I can get an LPN to do what you do for $7.00 less an hr...so today is your last day."

More like in my neck of the woods--you are an amazing LPN, but remember your place, you all are far too entitled--and BTW, don't care what numbers you give us, or how good you may be, we want to train new BSN's to our standards.....so see ya!!

Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Nurse.

I was recently downsized and I was blown away! Never happened to me before. I am a nurse for 20 years and worked in middle management. My skills are up to date as I did precept our new hires etc. I looked at it as a way to change direction and I am remaining positive. I would suggest maybe taking a course in coding etc...medicine is changing and there is a need for people who can work the system so the physician can be reimbursed well. I would never mention a work injury...just say you are changing your focus for hands on to office and management based. Just my thoughts :) Stay positive!!

Specializes in ER preceptorship, almost a year on PCU..

Wow. I've been out of the field for 2 years now, just got laid off from a job training EHR software. I worked as an RN for 2.5 years before that - had a back injury 6 months into the job and pushed through the pain for the next 2 years until it was non-stop excruciating. I'm glad I found this thread before starting to send out applications.

(I hope this isn't too off-topic, but what got me thinking about going back to nursing instead of finding another training job was a Vipassana meditation course I just completed. Through this technique, I was able to observe extreme pain objectively without reacting - and if the back problem persists and I can use the technique to get through it then there's no reason not to go back! :D)

Has anyone taken an RN refresher course? I know it's not required with an active license and just 2 years out of the field, but without recent work experience, recent course experience would be the next best thing, right?

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