61 With No Current Nursing Experience

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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14 hours ago, 2Ask said:

There are volunteer opportunities for nurses. I've volunteered at a church run clinic for underserved. Just brainstorming but perhaps you would qualify for work at a county health dept giving vaccinations and such? Do cruise ships have a nurse on staff? That would be a cool retirement gig.

I'd still recommend leaving your salary off. And re-work your resume to minimize flags that you are "old". (I only put on "recent work history and left off all my earlier experience)

There is a local hospital here that states they will not consider applications unless all work history is listed. I wonder how they would know. Perhaps if they ask for graduation dates and then look for gaps in employment?

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 7/17/2019 at 11:15 AM, Forest2 said:

I found this somewhat amusing because it is not all that common to receive any kind of gratitude from patients, often it is just the opposite. I recommend you try for a behavioral health clinic if you have any interest in that. You are so fortunate that you don't have to work. I would so love to be in your shoes.

Just keep in mind that behavioural health is not a gratitude-rich environment.

Specializes in NICU.
On 7/17/2019 at 8:11 AM, Jordee said:

I started out as a nurse and I want to finish as a nurse. The corporate world was good to me and allowed me to retire without SS or pension.

Sorry but you do not have the real need,you left because you were not fully dedicated and got well rewarded,now you feel lonely and want to return,well,it is not the same anymore,go volunteer if you want to have company.

4 hours ago, TriciaJ said:

Just keep in mind that behavioural health is not a gratitude-rich environment.

Or really any area of nursing?

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
16 hours ago, TriciaJ said:

Just keep in mind that behavioural health is not a gratitude-rich environment.

I have to find other ways meet my need for acknowledgement and appreciation. Sometimes I look back and give myself credit for positive contributions I've made.

Specializes in Bahavioral health.
23 hours ago, Leader25 said:

Sorry but you do not have the real need,you left because you were not fully dedicated and got well rewarded,now you feel lonely and want to return,well,it is not the same anymore,go volunteer if you want to have company.

Thats a bit harsh. I left fulltime Nursing because I was young and ambitious and wanted to try something new. In 10 years, I had been a floor surgical nurse, had been promoted to Head Nurse; then Hospital Nursing Supervisor, and I worked agency jobs of all sorts in a big city. I paid my Nursing dues. I had just earned my BSN in 1989, after returning to college; and I wanted new opportunities. In 1990, Clinical Research was a new frontier for nurses. You might have run into one that was a Study Coordinator at a hospital; but few that worked within the Pharmaceutical world. I am proud of my career. I also moonlighted from 1990 to 2006 as an RN. Whats wrong with wanting social interaction? Nothing. Please don't tell me what I want when I have stated what I want to do. Yes I can go back. I know it will be hard. And I am already volunteering-- I teach immigrants English and conduct English testing. Peace brother!

Specializes in Bahavioral health.

Note to self: The feedback is do not expect gratitude from patients. Point taken. But if I do, I will smile. I worked in Behavioral Health and you run into all sorts of people in the big city. I do remember that family, visitors, and patients appreciate when you take the time to listen to their concerns and provide information.

On 7/16/2019 at 8:52 AM, Jordee said:

Nurse Beth:

Thank you for your realistic assessment of my situation. I know you have to disclose past salary and that might be intimidating. I am fully prepared to start out at a new Grad salary if need be. I'm OK with my past nursing experience considered cancelled. I know that my experience is still relevant because in my last refresher I caught on very quick and showed my preceptor a thing or two! Just want to get my foot in the door.

I will cast a wide net as you advise but I am trying to avoid nursing homes because of my age--the thought of being in one terrifies me. I will be open to any shift and schedule as well. I will make inquiries at my school as well. Thanks!

I will be graduating as a new nurse next May. Why don't you take my bedside job making 55 Grand a year and I will take your job making 190 Grand a year? Win--win!!

I will pm you the details once I land a job so we can switch

Specializes in Bahavioral health.

Luchador:

Pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) hire RNs all the time for clinical positions in areas such as Drug Safety, Data Management, and Clinical Reasearch Associate. In fat, many of these positions are held by people without at healthcare degree such as a biology degree. I would encourage you to apply, after you get 1 years experience. They like to hire nurses because they understand medical terminiology and the procedures that research subject would have to undergo. Contrary to wat you hear, they don't require nurses to have any special certification.

Switch? ? Well I stopped working 3 years ago. Keep in mind I had to work my way up to make that kind of salary. You would make more than the 55K in an entry level position but unlike nursing your salary will increase much faster.

On 7/18/2019 at 2:59 PM, Leader25 said:

Sorry but you do not have the real need,you left because you were not fully dedicated and got well rewarded,now you feel lonely and want to return,well,it is not the same anymore,go volunteer if you want to have company.

On 7/18/2019 at 7:33 PM, beekee said:

Or really any area of nursing?

Good lawd y'all are harsh!

Specializes in Bahavioral health.

Update:  I got a FT job on a busy hospital Med/Surg Tele Floor a few months after posting my original message in July 2019.  I went on  Nights after my 5 week orientation was over.  I am now starting IVs and doing everything I used to do and more.  So now I have a solid 1 year plus of recent experience. 

I got the job by going to an open house at the hospital.  I had applied on line with no results, so definitely this approach made the difference.

I am going down to part-time this month (24 hours per week) because I don't need full time work.    I started at $41 an hour and was given credit for 10 years of experience.   Now I make $45 base with differentials it is $52.50 an hour on weekends.  

Yes Nursing has changed. I feel sorry for new grads; many of whom are overwhelmed with the acuity and fast turnover on the unit.  Lots of nurses won't help you when you are busy. This is something I try to do for others. I'll go in a room and reset an IV pump beeping when I know others wouldn't do that for me.

But I did it! I am handling it!

  

On 2/7/2021 at 11:54 AM, Jordee said:

  I got a FT job on a busy hospital Med/Surg Tele Floor a few months after posting my original message in July 2019. 

I love reading stories like this, so thanks for coming back for an update. Congratulations and good luck to you!

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