Trying to get back into the hospital after staying home with the kids.

Nurses Retired

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I have been a stay at home mom for almost eight years except for two years that I worked for a retail store. I enjoyed working retail but I really want to get back to nursing. I began applying four months ago. Before I became a mom I worked two years on an Ortho/Trauma floor in a level one trauma hospital. This spring I took a RN Re Entry course that was Maternity focused where I received the following certifications, BLS, ACLS, Basic Fetal Heart, and STABLE. I would like to enter the Women's Services specialty as you can tell. My problem is I am not getting any hits on my applications.

I have called and asked for feed back from RN Recruiters and I was told that I have been out too long and just this Friday was told that by one hospital that they would hire a new grad before even considering me. I was devastated. I have found that New Grads actually have the advantage over me...Bless their hearts I know they have it rough as well.

I am wondering if it is worth taking a general RN refresher course or what advice anyone may have. I have applied to 80-90 jobs and have gotten nowhere. Thank you nursing friends!

Had my first interview. It was for L&D and went great. Will hear next week.

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I would just find another job (not nursing). The hours suck, you are disrespected, peers are not supportive and mostly backstabbers with a circle of friends who decide to make most new nurses miserable beyond belief. I was an lpn for 5 years and continued on for my RN for 3 years and in the mean time..my self-esteem was shot, my hardwork was shot down, I started smoking from stress, I gained weight from anxiety and depression. I constantly feel like I am a people pleaser when all I wanted to do was be a nurse to help people. I have been a stay at home mom now for 2.5 years and have absolutely NOOOO desire to go back.

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Got the job. I start in labor and delivery in one week. Persistence paid off.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Sarah,

Congrats to you! How exciting to be starting back in Women's services. Your story is very inspiring. Let us know how it goes!

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Have you tried applying at any clinics? Or doing flu shots or health screenings? Just to kind of get some nursing experience again... I am in a similar situation. I got my LPN license in '08, but have barely worked as I have been a stay at home mom most of that time. I worked about 6 mos. at a dermatology office, but that's it. Since this past January I have been doing PRN work as a health screener nurse for a company that holds employee health screenings across the U.S. I'm not getting a whole lot of work with them, but I figure it's a little nursing work & looks good on a resume.

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I would just find another job (not nursing). The hours suck, you are disrespected, peers are not supportive and mostly backstabbers with a circle of friends who decide to make most new nurses miserable beyond belief. I was an lpn for 5 years and continued on for my RN for 3 years and in the mean time..my self-esteem was shot, my hardwork was shot down, I started smoking from stress, I gained weight from anxiety and depression. I constantly feel like I am a people pleaser when all I wanted to do was be a nurse to help people. I have been a stay at home mom now for 2.5 years and have absolutely NOOOO desire to go back.

I hate to say it but you're right in a lot of ways... Unfortunately, there is a lot f bullying in nursing. New nurses are rarely welcomed, especially pretty or smart ones who have much to offer...

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Specializes in OB.

Just saw you got a job! Congrats!!!

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Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

It is possible!! Ya! Congrats ! Two thumbs up !

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I too have been trying to get back into the clinical setting after being out for 6 years to raise my children. One recruiter told me I committed professional assassination to my own career by staying home and a GN would get more consideration then I would. I was an Emergency room nurse directly from nursing school and I did possess many certifications and classes. I even took my PHRN while I was out. Nothing is working I am so devastated and do not know what to do besides beg.... any suggestions????

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Specializes in hospice.

That recruiter is a prejudiced witch, probably unloading her own issues all over you.

Maybe after six years a refresher course would be a good idea and it's current effort you can put on your resume.

Look into private duty, home health, agencies, float pools, PRN positions to get your foot back in the door. One way you are similar to a new grad is that you'll probably have accept a job or two that's less desirable to you at first in order to work your way back where you want to be. For right now, though, just concentrate on getting work somewhere as a nurse.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

The hardest thing in this market, that I've seen, is hospitals wanting the BSN. Do you have it?

I think it is only "professional assassination" in this market!! If you don't have your BSN, they very well might choose a GN (BSN, of course) over you. It's gonna be tough to get back in but you have lots of experience, I am sure that will get you far. But yes, you probably will have to take a refresher but that really is no big deal hopefully if you have one by you. Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I do not have my BSN ... I do have 3 associate degrees, Nursing/Science/Criminal Justice but I never wanted my BSN because back a few years ago the only thing the BSN did was help you on the clinical ladder to management which I never wanted. I was enrolled to start working towards it when I got pregnant with my 1st child and then I tried again when I came back to work after her ... then came my son and life happened. And now it is all buy a requirement unfortunately.

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