I was laid off and am having trouble finding a job. How do I go about reinventing myself?
Tuesday November 3, 2009
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I have an MSN and more than 20 years of nursing experience. I recently was laid off and am having trouble finding a job. How do I go about reinventing myself? What new career choices are there?
Joyce
Getting laid off can be devastating, but it also is an opportunity for a new start. For starters, read “How to Handle a Lay-Off” at http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990324001.
You don't mention what you’re interested in generally (what you've done) or what you've been applying for. You have so many possible options, especially with an MSN, I barely know where to start. Consider attending my Career Alternatives for Nurses seminar to fully explore your options, identify transferable skills, and get your self-marketing skills up to date. See where I'll be at http://events.nursingspectrum.com/event.cfm?EID=755=Seminar. It is the perfect jumping-off point for you. It’s also available in a home-study version at www.Nurse.com/ce/DVD1/Career-Alternatives-for-Nurses/ and www.Nurse.com/ce/CD6/Career-Alternatives-for-Nurses-2/.
In the meantime, have a business card made for yourself and start doing a lot of networking. Networking is a great way to explore options and find and get a job, so get out to nursing professional association meetings such as your state chapter of the ANA (www.ana.org) and the AONE (www.aone.org). If you’re not a member, attend as a guest. You also should attend nursing career fairs and speak to prospective employers there. You’d be amazed at the ideas and information you can get at these events. You never know where the spark, idea, or opportunity will come from.
Finally, “Read Ten Steps to a Successful Job Search” to www.dcardillo.com/articles/tensteps.html.
My 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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