I can't seem to stay at a job and am having much difficulty getting employment. Where should I turn?
Tuesday June 23, 2009
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I am apparently in a “destructive” path with my career as an RN. I have lived and worked in Arizona for the past five years and can’t seem to stay at a job. The longest position has been 1.3 years, and it ended negatively. So have my jobs before and since then. I am now having much difficulty in getting employment. I have been unemployed for the past 10 days and don’t know where to turn. Please help.
MM
There are many possible reasons for the difficulties you are having. At this time, you need to seek the services of a professional counselor and/or career coach. Counselors and coaches can help you identify what your challenges are, how to overcome them, and support you in that process. And often an objective third party is needed to see what is really happening.
Before you start saying that you can’t afford to get outside help, because I hear this excuse all the time, look into services available through your county mental health agency (check the yellow pages of your phone book) and local community colleges (call them). They often have services at low cost or they charge you according to your ability to pay. Where there is a will there is always a way. And some state nurses associations have career services available, too.
In the meantime, do some volunteer work (while working on getting your life and career together and finding paid employment) in a healthcare setting rather than not working, and join and get active in your state nurses association if not already a member. Because you are currently unemployed, you may be eligible for reduced dues. Read “Picking Up The Pieces of Your Career” www.dcardillo.com/articles/listing.html and “The Value of Volunteering” www.dcardillo.com/articles/volunteer.html. You need some help to get you life and career back on track. That’s why you wrote to me. So follow the above advice and seek the help and support you need. We all need a little help every now and then to help us navigate our way through life’s challenges. Getting help is a sign of strength and necessary for growth and stability.
Sending prayers and good wishes your way, 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.
