Will I ever get into acute care??

[3rdeyeRN]

So, it's been awhile since I've posted. Quick history...I live in California, received my RN license with restrictions r/t a DUI over 10 years before I applied for my license. I finally got a job 6 months after getting my license at a SNF in 2016. Fast forward to now and I have no more restrictions on my license, yay! But, I'm still working in post acute for 2 1/2 years (I wasn't able to get hired anywhere else while I had the restrictions). I've recently started applying to other jobs because I'm ready to move on and the facility I'm at doesn't pay very well. I've been applying to acute and I've even applied to hospice. I haven't had any response even though it's just been a few weeks. Am I unmarketable? 2 1/2 years is a long time to be at a SNF; is it too long? My license online also now says prior discipline. How does that affect me? Will I be an LTC nurse forever? My career feels stagnant. Please give me some advice!

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

What sort of networking are you doing? Can you join a nursing org that has local meetings and go? Leadership often goes to them. You can chat with them in person and explain your interest in moving to acute care and why you have the prior restriction. Do you have any former coworkers who have moved on to acute care you could reach out to as well? They might get a bonus for referring you if you're hired and recs from current employees carry a lot of weight. Managers can usually communicate to HR and request specific applications be expedited or moved through to the next step.