Unemplyed nurse with 5 years experience

Published

Specializes in ICU.

I am finally downright frustrated. I have been an RN for 5 years, mostly in critical care, some in management. Got fired from my last job as a nurse manager for not signing a non-compete agreement. Been unemployed for 6 weeks now I think (I am losing track of time)

I will admit, I am being slightly picky. I could go back to my ICU nights position, but nights was killing me, not conducive to my lifestyle and was hard to maintain with my ex husband. My main goal was to get out of bedside anyways.

Had a few interviews, one for NM at my original hospital, they never got back to me, it's been over a month. Obviously I didn't get the job (turned out neither did the coworkers I know who interviewed) IF anyone was going ot give ma courtesy call, you would think it would be these people, the ones who know me and hugged me before the interview..... In same hospital I called to interview for a CM position. We didn't want to step on toes so we agreed to see what happened with NM position. Well, nothing happened, and it took a long time, so I most likey missed that opportunity. Then I interviewed for a telephonic CM position with an insurance company. I sat in a very long interview with quesitons generated to me off the internet , being asked by people who were not nurses or case managers. We sat there for over an hour and they asked me nothing relevant to the job. Just about a bunch of adjectives that described myself. Nothing to do with my actual knowledge and skill that pertain to the position. I didn't get that job, btu I thank them for getting back to me within 4 business days.

Now I am just stuck. Unemployment can't support me and my daughter nor can the measly child support i receive. I want to work anyways. I thought I had decided on the right fit, visiting nurse. Flexible hours ot work with my child, bedside work, but not confined within the hospital. So, I look up the VNA of NJ. Now they offer opportunites for new grad BSN's. No opportunties for ICU experienced A.A.S. RN's. Go figure. They even made a mention of "experience cannot substitiute education or something like that. Really. See new grads? The opportunites are out there!

Lots of rambling, but I am stressed. I don't know where to go with this one anymore. If worse came to worse, I would go back to nights, but I really, really don't want to do that. I just don't know what my options are. Almost considering a career change all together.....

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Specializes in ICU.

and all my typos are due to letters on my keyboard sticking, not in the mood to try to correct them.

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Specializes in ICU.

I tried that career change thing ... FAIL! Gotta have your act together to pull that one off. Hang in there and keep plugging away.

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Specializes in SICU.

If i were you (and i am not) i would take the first thing that came my way!

If you are not getting ICU jobs, try Medsurg or other floors or even an LTAC...

See... how i look at it, being picky wont put food on your table.... at least get your foot in somewhere then while you work (even if you hate the job) you can look leisurely for another job....

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Travel...

Many openings in critical care and it pays the bills.

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Specializes in SICU.

With the over abundance of nurses looking for jobs, hospitals are upping their demands/requirements for positions. It is getting harder and harder to get any sort of management position including case management without having a BSN. Some even want MSN's.

My advice is suck it up and go back to the night shift ICU job. If the hospital will pay anything to wards education, take it. Do an on-line RN-BSN course, it is what I am doing. The way toward non-bedside care is though education.

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Have you thought about home health or hospice?

Since you have a child look at Bayada or PSA Healthcare - they have a LOT of needs for ped nurses and w/you being a mother AND having ICU experience it would be income and flexibility.

I do know what you mean about applying and not hearing back..sadly it happens to a lot of people on here - myself included - even when the signals are the job will be offered.

I just accepted FT position in home care because I am tired of waiting on the hospitals or with my brief stent for one of the major dialysis clinics learned first hand why many on here have said to get everything in writing. I am not hard to please but I do have limited. So, while I'm optimistic about the new position I am also keeping in mind things that have been posted on here about hh and this particular company - but, any job is better than no job..so..think about branching out into hh or hospice - good luck -

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Specializes in LTC/ Rehab, Home Health...

Job hunting SUCKS! I've been unemployed since June. Have so many resume's out and no call backs. Been a nurse for over 20 years and still here potential employers say I need more experience for... "whatever". It's so frustrating. I'm also picky about what I want to do, sometimes you have to be. Good luck on your job hunt and hope you find what you want.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro--Provider Relations--Q/A--UR.

LTC usually has rollovers and need staff...prn for a local LTC chain and u could get your 40+ hrs a week at several close facilities (the facility i work at has 5 facilities w/in 60 minutes of my house awa closer) u may not get insurance, but you make that up in a higher rate of pay. U can work as much or little and u get to c if full time come if it is a good fit for u. I should have done this!!

PRN will allow u 2b picky (u need to b happy in your job, being picky is not a bad thing)

It will come!

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Working nights is hard for me. It really does not work with my body or being a single parent.

I know you like ICU and you are being picky. It may be time to try something new - who knows, you might find a new niche!

I have never heard of a non-compete for a nurse manager (our providers have them but not nurses as far as I know)??? What was that about?

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Specializes in Long term care, Rehab/Addiction/Recovery.

I do indeed feel for you. Unfortunately the tables have truly made a complete 360 turn. An experienced Associates Nurse I'm sorry to say is no longer "management material". Unless u are burned out from critical care, and I do feel for u if u are..look there. Like others have suggested, look into Home Health. In the meanwhile, flu clinics are a "quick fix", they pretty much hire anyone. Others have suggested getting ur BSN now, eze to say when you are struggling to support yourself and kids on unemployment! Same with Travel assignments, what if you have kids?? Travel is great for the young and unattached. Personally I'm sorry I didn't take advantage of this when I was younger, before I had kids. Great way to see the country, great pay! Sweetie, I'm right there with you with 25 years experience. I have approx a little more than half of my Bachelors finished. I am so mad at myself for not finishing it when I was younger. I was too eager to work, make my $$$, finally have some fun! I worked 2 p/t jobs all thru Nsg school, paid my own way. No loans, no help. I have a college bound child to worry about, then another around the corner to send as well. I too am divorced. I fight for every penny I get for support. The dad doesn't understand why as an RN, "she cant find a job". BTW, Ive gone on interviews for LTC; I have no long term care experience. They seem to assume I'm looking for management positions, which I'm certainly not qualified for. Then that "look" sets in, "well we cant pay you what you are expecting". I never ask for a #! They assume with 25 yrs experience, I'm looking for high dollars. When I tactfully try to explain to any (hopefully) future employer I'm certainly open to compromise, and ask what they are offering. I ALWAYS say that is fine. Am i coming off pathetic? Sorry for my vent:uhoh3:.. I truly wish you my best.

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