Returning To Work After Long Absence

[WildcatFanRN]

Hi everyone. I’m a BSN, RN who is attempting to re-enter the workforce after being out for several years due to caring for my husband who passed in 2020. It took me to the end of last year to get myself together and to get the CE’s required to reinstate my license. I have almost 20 years total LPN and RN experience, but can’t seem to get a job. It’s to the point where I’m about to give up on nursing altogether. I no longer want to work bedside nursing, but will do to get my foot in the door. I used to work on a cardiovascular TCU, and love this patient population. I want to work more closely with cardiology patients, even learn about cardiac devices. But the few jobs I’ve found require experience.

I still want to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist. I’m 48yo and a new single mom. I’ve never had to really think about working shifts around my daughters school schedule before, but I do now. It’s really the getting her off to school which is my main issue. Any advice.

[Iris S., ASN, CNA, LVN]

I'm glad you found a job! 

I was out for 2 years and got placed immediately through one of those nursing recruiter agencies - they are eager to get their commission.

I was going to suggest a school nurse job!  But congrats and welcome back to the grind! ?

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I'm very glad also. I had thought about school nursing as that would have defiantly worked with my daughters school schedule. I honestly hadn't wanted to return to bedside nursing, but with this schedule I think I'll do alright. Working weekends only, and it being Friday and Saturday night. I can't believe I got this shift LOL. 

On 9/14/2022 at 7:01 PM, Iris S. said:

I'm glad you found a job! 

I was out for 2 years and got placed immediately through one of those nursing recruiter agencies - they are eager to get their commission.

I was going to suggest a school nurse job!  But congrats and welcome back to the grind! ?

 

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

On 9/13/2022 at 5:57 AM, kbrn2002 said:

Agree with londonflo here.  Congrats are definitely in order for OP landing that position but sadly there's often things in a new job that just don't make it a good fit. Nights doesn't work well for everybody, it's a difficult shift for some to adjust to.  A weekend only option while working great with OP's schedule now might not be something she decides she likes in the long term.  It could turn out the culture of the unit isn't ideal. There's a ton of reasons why this job might be perfect in the short term but turn out not to be the perfect job for her long term goals. 

Maybe she'll love it, maybe she won't. Point is at least getting the job will open up opportunities to something different down the road if she decides it's not what she wants.

I've worked night shift the majority of my nursing career and love it. Little to no interaction with administration. I can't believe I was able to get a Friday, Saturday night schedule. It's actually perfect. I'm still working out childcare, but I think it will work out fine.

[HiddenAngels]

On 9/4/2022 at 11:41 PM, WildcatFanRN said:

Hi everyone. I’m a BSN, RN who is attempting to re-enter the workforce after being out for several years due to caring for my husband who passed in 2020. It took me to the end of last year to get myself together and to get the CE’s required to reinstate my license. I have almost 20 years total LPN and RN experience, but can’t seem to get a job. It’s to the point where I’m about to give up on nursing altogether. I no longer want to work bedside nursing, but will do to get my foot in the door. I used to work on a cardiovascular TCU, and love this patient population. I want to work more closely with cardiology patients, even learn about cardiac devices. But the few jobs I’ve found require experience.

I still want to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist. I’m 48yo and a new single mom. I’ve never had to really think about working shifts around my daughters school schedule before, but I do now. It’s really the getting her off to school which is my main issue. Any advice.

Do you have to pick your daughter up from school as well. If not you can work 3-11.  3-3. If so, you’d have to find a like a clinic job or something structured around a later start so you can get her off to school.