Question:
Dear Donna,
I became inspired to ask for your guidance in getting back into the nursing profession. I was injured on the job while working in the ICU unit. I was kicked by a patient and was diagnosed with PTSD. After three years off, I feel like I’m ready to go back to work. I worked in ICU, right out of school, for nearly three years. I did well and was complimented by my supervisors. Now, because of the incident, I have been banned from working there ever again as part of the Workers’ Compensation settlement. We do have other hospitals in the area, but I worry about my past. Do you have any recommendations on how to get back into the nursing field?
Skip
Dear Donna,
I became inspired to ask for your guidance in getting back into the nursing profession. I was injured on the job while working in the ICU unit. I was kicked by a patient and was diagnosed with PTSD. After three years off, I feel like I’m ready to go back to work. I worked in ICU, right out of school, for nearly three years. I did well and was complimented by my supervisors. Now, because of the incident, I have been banned from working there ever again as part of the Workers’ Compensation settlement. We do have other hospitals in the area, but I worry about my past. Do you have any recommendations on how to get back into the nursing field?
Skip
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Skip,
I'm glad you are doing better. I presume your healthcare providers cleared you to return to work. I would ask if an ICU position is what you really want? I know that would be the natural tendency, because that is all you have known, but it might not be the right place for you for many reasons.
Your ICU experience would lend itself well to working for an eICU company. This is a service where nurses are either onsite or in a remote location and monitor ICU patients, via video and audio monitors. Here's a related article http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005501100315. If you search at nurse.com for "eICU" you'll come up with additional articles and posts. This is only one possibility.
Start volunteering as a nurse (or in any capacity) in a healthcare setting. This is a good way to transition back to the workforce, build confidence, hone old skills and learn new ones. It also gives you some recent experience to put on your resume. Volunteering often leads to paid employment. Be sure to have liability insurance if working as a hands-on nurse, even in a volunteer role. Look for opportunities in a local public health department, free clinic, blood bank or American Red Cross. You can inquire about paid work at these places, but if none is available right away, start volunteering while you continue to look.
You should also attend local meetings of the American Nurses Association or any specialty nursing association that interests you. If not a member, you can attend as a guest. This will help you get reconnected to your profession and get up to date with trends, issues and information. Networking is a great way to explore options and a very effective way to find a job.
Read “Reentering the workforce” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Reentering) and “Picking up the pieces of your career” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Pieces).
When asked on an interview why you were out of the workforce, simply state that you had personal issues that needed your full-time attention but that those are resolved and you are ready to return to full-time employment. You are not obligated to reveal any medical history, presuming you don't need any accommodation on your next job.
Reentering the workforce is a process, so be patient. Start moving in a positive direction by following the advice above and that which is contained in the referenced articles.
Best wishes,
Donna
Dear Skip,
I'm glad you are doing better. I presume your healthcare providers cleared you to return to work. I would ask if an ICU position is what you really want? I know that would be the natural tendency, because that is all you have known, but it might not be the right place for you for many reasons.
Your ICU experience would lend itself well to working for an eICU company. This is a service where nurses are either onsite or in a remote location and monitor ICU patients, via video and audio monitors. Here's a related article http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005501100315. If you search at nurse.com for "eICU" you'll come up with additional articles and posts. This is only one possibility.
Start volunteering as a nurse (or in any capacity) in a healthcare setting. This is a good way to transition back to the workforce, build confidence, hone old skills and learn new ones. It also gives you some recent experience to put on your resume. Volunteering often leads to paid employment. Be sure to have liability insurance if working as a hands-on nurse, even in a volunteer role. Look for opportunities in a local public health department, free clinic, blood bank or American Red Cross. You can inquire about paid work at these places, but if none is available right away, start volunteering while you continue to look.
You should also attend local meetings of the American Nurses Association or any specialty nursing association that interests you. If not a member, you can attend as a guest. This will help you get reconnected to your profession and get up to date with trends, issues and information. Networking is a great way to explore options and a very effective way to find a job.
Read “Reentering the workforce” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Reentering) and “Picking up the pieces of your career” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Pieces).
When asked on an interview why you were out of the workforce, simply state that you had personal issues that needed your full-time attention but that those are resolved and you are ready to return to full-time employment. You are not obligated to reveal any medical history, presuming you don't need any accommodation on your next job.
Reentering the workforce is a process, so be patient. Start moving in a positive direction by following the advice above and that which is contained in the referenced articles.
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.
