Return to Acute Care after Absence

[carmelite]

Anyone have advice on how to return to Acute Care nursing after working in other settings?

I worked on a Neuro/Oncology/Epilepsy unit for 2 years as a new grad.  My last year on that unit was 2017.

Since then I have worked in home health and school nursing.  

I would like to return to hospital/bedside nursing, and I know there are shortages everywhere.  When I last applied, before the start of the pandemic, everyone wanted recent hospital experience.  I couldn’t get a foot in the door.  I’m hoping that the extreme shortages most hospitals are experiencing now have widened that door gap.

Anyone make this transition successfully?

[jv503]

Fortunately, and unfortunately I suppose, nearly every type of unit is short staffed beyond belief right now so I think you could certainly get hired to a unit similar to one you previously worked on. Just really highlight the things that are your strengths and you worked on in your outpatient experience, and be honest about things that you will work hard to improve on in acute care. 

[BagelBomber, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think the circumstances that are making you more likely to get hired are a double edged sword. Yes, nearly every unit in every hospital is short, but I think that makes it difficult for new hires to have a solid orientation experience. We have three people orienting to my unit right now, and they've each had at least three different preceptors. While I think it's important to gauge how different individuals work on your floor, I think having a solid "go to" primary preceptor is crucial for success. Your previous floor experience will definitely give you some help in that department, I'm sure, but I would aim to fall into a unit similar to what you worked on previously.