Stipulations and no job

nowim clean · Jan 10, 2014

Remember we put us where we are. It takes time to find a job took me almost months but I did. Are you getting unemployment, if not go sign up? Try fast food there are jobs out there just don't give up a door will open but it will only open when it is suppose to.

Guests · Jan 11, 2014

Any suggestions would be of great value to me at this time.

Call on your network... people who know you as more than simply an encumbered nursing license.

Don't bother applying to most SNFs because at all the SNFs that I've seen, there's rarely more than one RN in-house at any given time.

Apply to the most rural, out-of-the-way, places that you can find on the map... if you're far enough off the beaten track, they usually have trouble with recruitment and retention and are often willing to take on encumbered licenses.

Meanwhile, if I were you, I would be doing some hardcore planning... saving money like Scrouge, cutting costs like (witty political barb withheld), selling off anything that's nonessential, lining up a few couches to get me by, and figuring out how to *be* homeless (that is, where are the shelters, food pantries, etc)

I would also be hitting up every fast-food place, cleaning service, and hole-in-the-wall restaurant looking for *any* work that I could find.

catmom1, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2014

I was out of work for well over a year and a half. Unemployment had run out and I looked ahead and figured I would eventually have to commit suicide. I still don't have a nursing job but I got a few call center jobs to get me by.

Downplay your nursing and emphasize other skills. I am an excellent salesperson over the phone so I could sell that to prospective employers.

The only other time I looked ahead to think that suicide would be my only answer was when I was in the depths of my compulsive gambling addiction. Thank heaven I was wrong about that and was fortunate enough to get the help I needed to stop gambling (and abusing prescription drugs). As I have mentioned elsewhere, I had 9 years clean and gamble free in December 2013.

Right now, I am feeling very defeated about looking for a nursing job. Hopefully I will be wrong about this too.

Catmom :paw:

P.S. It angers me that some posters choose to emphasize that "we put ourselves in this position." It baffles me how this is a helpful comment to a person who may not have a place to live soon.

newmacgirl · Jan 11, 2014

I don't know what kind of work experience you have, but I second the out of way jobs. I took a job in a podunk little place. It was part of a larger hospital system. But they were always in need. Everyone who worked there with a few execeptions (mostly CNAs) drove 30min to an hour to get there. It was also psych, I think you will find psych jobs are fairly easy to get especially state jobs. Go to you state website and apply for everything.

That said it did take a few weeks to calls but then it took months of my saying I have a job to get them to stop.

Also, sell everything you can, ebay, consignment shops, craigslist. Right now TIME is and isn't your friend. By that I mean you need work/money fast... And you still have time to make money and sell stuff. The minute your homeless those options decrease, to pawn shops & yard sale/fire sale. Where you will get less money for your stuff. What will you do with all your stuff then?

Also look into a storage unit, yes some people sleep in them even if there not suppose to. Get the smallest unit you can. (think of it this way, a sofa thats worth $700 stored for year can be replaced for about what it cost to store it.) Hierlooms, clothing, pots & pans. Basically a good mattress (if you have one) are cheaper to keep for 6mo to year before you get back on your feet. But the longer you need the unit the more downsizing you will have to do. There is a project called a hundred things where people have only a 100 things/possessions. Granted they do this to save money and simplify their life.

Also look into REDDIT... goggle it then go tothe frugal forum. You will learn how to cut costs and save money it helped me. The even one called beer money, basically side jobs to make quick cash. Craigslist also has side jobs/onetime gigs. And nursing jobs listed.

Could you take an LPN position?, I know you work to your licence...But as an LPN you wouldn't be the only one...

An for now babysitting, cleaning garages, shoveling snow. A delivering pizzas gives you some money. Reddit even has a couch surfing forum, you stay with people for very little money, shorterm but still. People use it to vacation cheaply.

Twoyearnurse · Jan 11, 2014

Oh Catmom, I head you on the unhelpful posts. I don't think anyone means harm by them. A lot of times I think that our mistakes are so fresh (by fresh I mean we live with them over and over in this process for years) that we find ourselves frustrated with others going through what we are going through because "darnit we all have to do it so pick up yourself and get over it!". I can't say honestly that I don't fall into this thinking sometimes too. Everyone remember learning about horizontal violence in nursing school? We just need to render that we all feel helpless from time to time and our strength is born out of it.

Junebug59, RN · Jan 12, 2014

catmom, I can so relate to what you said about suicide being the only option if things didn't work out. I have almost gotten to that frame of mind several times...... but, i'm blessed to have a few good friends and family members who will give me a place to live. my pride keeps getting in the way and I feel i'll just be a burden. i'm trying to get over that feeling and accept help. just wanted to let you know you are not alone in feeling that hopeless..... prayers for you my friend! :)

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 12, 2014

Please those who are so depressed and think there is no way other than suicide, please PLEASE seek medical help. Coming here and sharing similar stories; some of which seem no way out.... that's perfectly o.k., but when suicide is mentioned, it's time for "real life" help. Please, we plead that you do this. We care and want you to seek proper medical treatment.

Come back here for uplifting messages, continue to discuss your situation, but please ..... get the help you desparately need if you think suicide is the answer.

Again, please get serious medical help.

Twoyearnurse · Jan 12, 2014

Catmom and Virgojd, I know how that sadness feels, something I realized though is that what I meant by "just wanting to die" really meant that I didn't want to live the life I am now. Two very different sentiments truely. I hope you all have brighter days!

Junebug59, RN · Jan 12, 2014

of course, anyone who thinks suicide is the ONLY option, should IMMEDIATELY seek professional help!!! we are just discussing how low we can feel going through these trials. I am very thankful I have the support I need. I found out that I had some really good friends when I needed them to lean on. if anyone here doesn't have the support, please go to an AA or NA meeting and there are some wonderful people to lean on who can definitely relate to your hopelessness.

catmom1, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2014

I cannot emphasize too strongly that I am in no way considering suicide now. If I were, I would not choose this anonymous forum to bring it up.

In fact, I am feeling quite optimistic that I will find my way out of my current jobless state before finances become a problem.

More importantly, I continue to work on my own recovery and hope to offer what I have learned to other addicts who may be in danger of losing hope.

My point in bringing up the notion of suicide was to accurately express how desperate things got for me at a certain point.

I apologize if my post was misconstrued to indicate present suicidal ideation.

Catmom :paw:

nowim clean · Jan 12, 2014

Ok since some were offended by the "we put us in this situation" which is 100% true, I am not here due to anything anyone other than me. Maybe I should have said quit looking at all the no's that you get, they don't want you working for them due to your past guess what, that past was created by one person it is the person looking back in the mirror. Focus 100% of your energy on recovery, find the God of your understanding and put the job issue along with everything else in his hands. Clean and sober you have unlimited chances and opportunities, but 1 drink, 1 high you lost all your choices and hope. No one is going to offer you a job as long as your are placing blame on someone or something else. It is your fault, it's my fault just like my recovery program is mine. You do not have to wallow in remorse and self pity, but our actions caused reactions and some of those reactions have pain attached to them. The job will come as long as you don't give up. It was only after I took 100% of the blame and admitted my issues was a job offered to me, but first I had to hear it from my sponsor and others that I am where I am cause I put me there.