How can I get back into a full-time nursing position after leaving a job because of a family illness?
Thursday June 25, 2009
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Dear Donna,
I graduated with an associate degree in 2007 during a mid-life career change and accepted a position as an intern visiting nurse. I worked the position for six months when suddenly my mother became critically ill. I took a leave and eventually resigned because of the ongoing critical nature (sepsis, organ failure, amputations, etc.) of my mother. I nursed my mother 24/7 until her passing in late summer 2008. I took some much-needed time to regroup and settle the estate when my daughter's pregnancy became life threatening and I found myself in a situation requiring my assistance. I did start a PT position in my allergist's office one day a week last fall. How do I get back into a FT position at this point with my background. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Slee
Donna replies:
Dear Slee,
If home care is still of interest to you, I would contact your former employer and tell them you'd like to pick up where you left off. Be honest about your life situation that caused you to pull out of the workforce for a time and let them know you are committed to becoming a great nurse.
Because they already know you, and you have some experience there, that might be your best bet for re-entry.
You don't mention what type of position or work setting you are interested in. For example, if you were looking to work in a hospital, you might be required to take a refresher course because you have not had any hospital experience since you graduated from nursing school. If you were open to other areas of employment, you might be able to find something in an ambulatory/outpatient setting without a refresher course. You might look into outpatient hemodialysis. There are many private dialysis companies that have extensive training programs.
I recommend you attend some nursing career fairs in your area to see what is available to you. Many different types of employers usually exhibit at these events, and you'd be surprised at what you might come up with. Log on to Events.nursingspectrum.com/Expo and read “How to Get The Most Out of Attending a Career Fair” online at www.dcardillo.com/articles/fair.html. I also urge you to read “The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses,” which addresses your situation in more detail, along with many creative and effective self-marketing and job-finding skills and advice. Find out more at www.nurse.com/ce/7250.
Best Wishes,
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.
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