Seeking advice and how to approach former job

lovedijah · Jul 18, 2012

I'm not a nurse manager but I worked in hr and people "came back" all the time. Submit your resume and cover letter as normal, but I wouldn't make mention of the situation of quitting. It just seems obvious. Either they will accept or they wont, so no need to be in deep thought. Even if they mention it in an interview, "I quit because my school schedule did not meet the needs of the unit, however, it does now".

Jennie.K · Jul 18, 2012

I would submit your resume and cover letter. However, I would also email the new nurse manager since you had a good relationship with her. I would just let her know how much you miss working in the unit, that you are about 9 months from graduation and you have your BSN schedule down; so, it will be a lot easier for your to fit work and school together. I would also let her know what assets you have that will be beneficial to the unit. Since she knows you, you will want to come across as yourself while still selling yourself. Good luck and I hope you get your job back!

susanrnmanager · Jul 19, 2012

I am a nurse manager in administration and I would suggest that you call HR and make sure you are able to be rehired. After you call and find this out then you can contact the nurse manager and see if there are any open positions. Do not use your friendship to try to get your job back. If there are positions make an appointment to see her and bring your resume with you. Always be professional and represent nursing the best you can. I have rehired nurses before...you have to consider all areas and the reason they left. Good luck!! Hope this helps.

babyktchr, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

I agree with the above. Submit your resume and letter of intention. HR will have to determine if you are eligible for rehire. As a manager, my hands were tied when I received emails or calls from nurses looking for jobs. Ultimately, I cannot even interview you without going thru the HR department, so I can only respond by saying I will forward any correspondence to HR. I also agree that you should keep this professional and not use your friendship when trying to get your job back. Good luck to you

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

These answers are great. There is one thing in your cover letter I would change. I would say "had to leave" or "I left because" To me Quit is a red flag that you'd do it again QUIT.

txwildflower57 · Jul 19, 2012

I'm going to just give the reader's digest version of the backstory and get to my questions!
Last August, I was backed into a corner and forced to quit my job - I was a LVN working on a postpartum unit. I had been there 9 months. The manager who hired me knew full well I was looking at returning to school FT to get my BSN and was overly supportative as she'd begun as a LVN and got BSN where I was applying. She leaves in March, just 2 weeks before I was accepted and Ms. C takes over. I sat and discussed my options with Ms. C when I received my acceptance. She agree to a PRN schedule and though school would be difficult, there really wasn't any reason I couldn't work 4 shifts per month, minimum. She was cooperative and pleasant and seemed to genuinely want to work with me. She asked for my availability for the next schedule. Gave it to her, 8 days actually (only required 4, and 4 of those 8 were WEEKEND SHIFTS!) She posted the Aug/Sept schedule and I had been placed on completely different days! When I asked her about it, she told me that didn't need me on the days I had marked available and her schedule wasn't convenient for me, I could gladly change shifts. Problem. LVNs are only allowed to switch shifts with other LVNs. And there were only two LVNs on this unit, and we were scheuduled on the SAME SHIFTS!! I have no doubt in my mind that she did this on purpose. She never liked having LVNs work under her and she was *very* vocal about it. I went to HR and couldn't get any support, though they agreed it wasn't proper procedure, so I either had to work the shifts she gave me, or get fired. So, I quit, without my 2 week notice since shift #1 was 3 days away and happened to be the same day my mandatory BSN orientation began.
Fast forward to last week - ran into former co-worker and Ms. C has been fired. Freaking awesome - she was hell on water to work for. The assistant nurse manager, whom I adored and had a great working relationship with, has taken over the women's services dept.
Now, my question.
I WANT MY JOB BACK! Okay, I know they don't owe me a job, but I miss the unit terribly! I am less than 9 months from getting my BSN and I had fully intended on staying right where I was when I graduated, seriously loved. my. job. I've looked at the hospital website, but there are no openings posted, though my coworker mentioned how incredibly short-staffed they are. Of course, I'm still FT BSN school and could only work PRN, but I want to go back and stay when I graduate. I shouldn't need much orientation - so I'd be a cheaper new hire??
So...
1) Is it appropriate to send an email/letter to the new nurse manager (the nice one I had a good relationship with) letting her know that I would like to work for her again.
2) What on Earth do I say?? I am a HORRIBLE word-smith, so if sending her a message is an okay action, would someone please help me craft a message/letter.
3) Or should I try to schedule an appointment? And what would I say? I haven't talked to her since I left, but she did tell me that she'd always be happy to give a positive recommendation if I needed one.
THANK YOU!!!!
I love the advice from this place and I'm hoping that some more experienced nurses or managers can chime in. At just 2 years of experience, I'm still just a baby!

I think the best way to go about this is to contact HR and find out if you are rehirable first. Then submit your resume' with a cover letter, don't say you quit - say you had to adjust your work schedule to accomodate your school schedule. Let them know you are wanting to come back PRN and are interested in a full-time position in the future. You could also call the new manager and set an appointment with her - if she was there when you left she may know the whole story and help you get your foot back in the door. It really sucks when older nurses and nurse managers don't work with people who are good employees who are trying to continue their education which in turn means they have an employee who isn't at work just to draw a pay check! Good Luck!

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2012

Thank you all for the great advice! I've run into a problem getting my info to HR as the only way to submit is online and there are not any openings for which I qualify for right now. However, the is a huge medical job fair next week, and they will be there. I full intend to be as well!!