Trying to find a job after a long break

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Hello everyone, I am in need of advice about getting started as a RN.  I graduated from nursing school December 2018 and got my license March 2019. Meanwhile I got involuntarily recalled to active duty for a deployment to Africa. I was working as a CNA at that time and decided not to pursue a position since I was deploying in July 2019. With COVID I ended up returning July 2020, got married, but hubby was living in another state and stationed in VA,  my hospital wanted to make me sign a 2 year contract and I didn’t do it so I could move with my husband without being tied to a contract. We finally moved in February 2021 I found out I was pregnant and didn’t want to expose myself to COVID, so once again I postponed starting my job search. Here I am with a 3-month-old trying to start as a RN and I’ve been out of school almost 3 years! Now I regret all that waiting because it was a dumb thing to do. What are my chances of getting hired in a hospital (or anywhere) anytime soon and what can I do to get started.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I would not worry too much about the length of time, especially since your reason was family and service to our country. Thank you very much, by the way, for serving our country.  Are you sure you really want to go back with such a young baby?  Is the reason financial?  Or just worried about your career in general?  I just got back into nursing after taking FIVE years off to take care of my Alzheimer's afflicted mother.  Of course most companies asked me about it, but weren't bothered too much, and with the job market being so desperate for new nurses, I really do not think that should be your reasoning for going back to work. We want you back, but don't do it at the expense of valuable family time with your baby if that's what you want to do.  I found Dozens and Dozens of job postings on the Indeed website; I got a job offer after my third interview. Right now, they are doing my background check.  Best wishes to you, your new baby, and your nursing career; your RN is waiting for you to utilize when you are ready.  

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I'm worried about my career. I spent so much time and effort getting this degree I'm afraid no one will want to hire me if I stay away for too long, especially acute care. Ideally I would only want to work per diem because of the little one. Thankfully our finances are in a good place. Our mortgage is $800 a month and our bills are not half of that. Money is good especially with hubby being in the Navy as well. I may be just being overly concerned, but I don't want to get comfortable and think just because of the pandemic I can take all the time off I want. If things get back to normal nurses may not be in such high demand and it may not be so easy to find a job. My husband is not pushing me to work, but I like to make my own money and not be so dependent on him. 

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Specializes in Dialysis.
45 minutes ago, RoseRed89 said:

I'm worried about my career. I spent so much time and effort getting this degree I'm afraid no one will want to hire me if I stay away for too long, especially acute care. Ideally I would only want to work per diem because of the little one. Thankfully our finances are in a good place. Our mortgage is $800 a month and our bills are not half of that. Money is good especially with hubby being in the Navy as well. I may be just being overly concerned, but I don't want to get comfortable and think just because of the pandemic I can take all the time off I want. If things get back to normal nurses may not be in such high demand and it may not be so easy to find a job. My husband is not pushing me to work, but I like to make my own money and not be so dependent on him. 

Most PRN positions require solid experience, as you won't get a long orientation and will be expected to come in and hit the floor running. Kind of like travel or agency nursing

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So basically in order to start with no experience I would need to do so full time in order to receive training? That’s definitely a bummer…

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Specializes in retired LTC.
4 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Most PRN positions require solid experience, as you won't get a long orientation and will be expected to come in and hit the floor running. Kind of like travel or agency nursing

You're like 'an old new grad'. What can you offer a new employer that makes you stand out and be worth a payback for their training time?

You might want to consider a refresher course.

Thank you for your service and welcome to AN.

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I had considered taking a refresher course just for my own confidence. Is there a way to contact an HR department and ask for suggestions in order to be considered for employment? Some posts here have said that employers don't really care about refresher courses. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Your taking a refresher course would show an employer you have initiative and an eagerness to learn. Admirable qualities. But HC facilities are there to provide health care services to patients. They are NOT extensions of your educational learning experience, so pffft, they want someone needing minimal training.

While you are interested in acute/hospital care, now would be a prime time to explore alternative settings. Do research - interview at LTAC/SNF/NH facilities. Read the Web & review survey reports. Boatload of info. See what's out there. Also the opp'ty to get some pertinent experience to make you more desirable to a hosp. That's your real goal. 

 

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Specializes in Dialysis.
10 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Your taking a refresher course would show an employer you have initiative and an eagerness to learn. Admirable qualities. But HC facilities are there to provide health care services to patients. They are NOT extensions of your educational learning experience, so pffft, they want someone needing minimal training.

100% this, they want someone who can hit the floor running if you're not a new grad

10 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

While you are interested in acute/hospital care, now would be a prime time to explore alternative settings. Do research - interview at LTAC/SNF/NH facilities. Read the Web & review survey reports. Boatload of info. See what's out there. Also the opp'ty to get some pertinent experience to make you more desirable to a hosp. That's your real goal. 

 

Also, try corrections and dialysis. Both desire experience, but are willing to work with most applicants

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Specializes in retired LTC.

The poss of a more flexible orientation period is also poss. There's so much more to working than just knowing how to start an IV or slide in a foley

OP - are you BSN?

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I just started a BSN program. I guess I should have gone and started on that refresher course instead…thank you for your realistic advice. I will try and do my homework on where I will have the best chance to get my foot in the door. It may not be the ideal, but it will give me the ability to get started somewhere willing to train me.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

No BSN explains a few things, esp prob why the Navy wasn't in the picture. And the obvious hesitancy of the hospitals to give you a try.

2 hours ago, RoseRed89 said:

 It may not be the ideal, but it will give me the ability to get started somewhere willing to train me.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot thinking you're 'settling' for something less than hospital-optimal employment. Many 'plan Bs' have worked out well for nurses like you. But remember, you are already an RN!! You have been trained - I guess I take umbrage when nurses like you are expecting employers to 'flesh out' what was covered in school. You just need a lot of review & practice for what is just lying dormant in your brain. Kinda like riding a bike ....  

Look & see what's avail. You've better negotiability outside hospitals. 

 

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