Wasted talent

[stayathomern]

Some hospitals want recent experience as a RN.How recent should a nursing experience in a particular department or unit be?My recent experience is also going and going and then gone soon.It's been a year since I first sent my applications to numerous hospitals but no one seemed interested.I am forced to stay at home and raise my family.My license is active but it is useless as of this time.Should I study again? I have written a thread in the past asking about RN refresher courses and some said I don't need to attend because I only have been away from active work a year.But now I am really contemplating to attend refresher courses but they are expensive.What should I do next? Are there hospitals that are willing to take in and train someone like me?I'm here in the Bay Area.I can't transfer in other states because my family is here.My husband who is also a RN works here. I am still hopeful eventhough no one is calling me for an interview. I still apply eventhough these Bay Area hospitals turn me down.I'm a wasted talent.

[suzanne4, RN]

Bay Area hospitals are extremely tight in hiring right now, if you did not have at least two years of full-time experience then it is going to be quite hard to get hired.

How much experience did you actually have before you took off to take care of a child? That can also be making a difference as well. Adn what type of experience did you have, in what area? You stated that it was a year since you first started sending out applications, but how long before that were you working in an acute care hospital?

The Bay Area has one of the tightest markets out of the entire US, many wish to work in the area so there are many, many applicants. If it has been a year and you have not had any offers, then you need to reassess your resume as a start.

[stayathomern]

I had 17 years of staff nursing,clinic nursing ,and nursing educator experiences in my home country before I migrated here 2 years ago to work as a staff nurse. They say that those experiences do not really count. I only worked 1 year as a med surg staff nurse here in the US. Is there still a fruitful future for someone like me?Some are suggesting that I take a masters degree here so that I can teach in nursing schools and share what I know.Some even suggested going to a different profession. Some say better remain at home and be with my children until their 12.I enjoy every minute being with my kids but I terribly miss working.It's depressing.