I’m an experienced RN who is having trouble finding a job. I’m thinking of taking a job outside of nursing. Will this affect my chances of finding a nursing position later on?
Tuesday June 16, 2009
Print This- Select Text Size:
Comments
advertisement
I am an RN/BSN with 22 years experience working in level II and III NICU, home phototherapy, pediatric home care, and school nursing. I also have been an NRP (neonatal resuscitation program), CPR/first aid, and elementary school health instructor. I have not worked for the past four years while my youngest child completed high school, but I have kept my RN license current.
I am having a difficult time finding a nursing job. Most employers allow only online applications and many never respond. Those that do, end up hiring younger, less experienced nurses because, I assume, they are less expensive.
I really need to work and am considering taking a job outside of nursing. Will this impact my chances of getting hired in a future nursing position? How should I explain my choice to future prospective nursing employers?
Jill
Rather than looking outside of nursing, look in nontraditional places such as blood banks, clinics, outpatient hemodialysis centers, hospice, cancer treatment centers, schools for the developmentally disabled, etc. Look for Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Career Fairs in your area (http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Expo). Also watch for facility open house/recruitment events. Read “Reentering the Workforce” at www.dcardillo.com/articles/reenterwork.html.
You have to concentrate more on networking, and face-to-face networking is the most effective. This means you should also attend local chapter meetings of your state nurses association. Attend as a guest if you’re not currently a member. Read “Steps for Successful Networking” (www.dcardillo.com/articles/networkingsteps.html) and “How to Network Successfully” at www.dcardillo.com/articles/networksuccess.html.
The job market is a bit depressed all over right now. The truth is that you probably have a better chance of finding something in healthcare than in any other area. But if you do take a job elsewhere, it will be easily explained down the line. Right now you have to do what you have to do to support your family.
And just for the record, new graduates are having trouble finding work in many parts of the country. No one is hiring new graduates over experienced nurses as a cost-cutting measure. However, some hospitals will hire a new graduate over an experienced nurse who does not have recent bedside experience.
Good luck,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of “Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional” and “The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career.” Information about the books is available at www.Nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.Nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.Nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call 800-866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
Reader Comments
Login
Be the first to comment!