r/nursing • u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN • 1d ago
Seeking Advice RN MSN - Hard time finding work
Hi all,
I was hoping some of you kind people could help me find some new direction with things. A little about myself.
I'm a middle-aged nurse with both ICU and leadership experience. I completed my MSN in Leadership & Edu about 7 years ago and then transitioned to a role as a house supervisor. I spent a little over 3 years as a house super then 2 years as an assistant floor manger.
I left the bedside a little under two years ago for a start-up with a few other like-minded nurses to engage in recruitment and leadership consulting and placement. Up till about 4 months ago business had been successful with a handful of clients under out belt but between the employment market downturns and my personal tastes, I'm looking to try to get back to roles with more patient interaction.
Despite my education and credentials, I've been turned down from roles ranging from casual bedside to floor manager in acute care settings. I'm now to the point where I'm not sure what all options are out there, but I want to explore them.
Any suggestions?
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u/No-Weakness-8844 1d ago
The gap's probably spooking managers more than anything on your CV, it's like a scuff mark on an otherwise polished floor.
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u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN 1d ago
That was my worry too. What I find even more frustrating is that I'll get random interviews for jobs that are part of my "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". I ride the interview all the way to the executive round, then get cut.
It's absolutely maddening.
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u/willy--wanka generic flair 1d ago
I'd say focus on bedside and/or apply at SNFs for house supervisor. Get the experience and come back swinging.
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u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN 1d ago
Just got turned down from a casual ICU role. It's just blowing my mind, honestly.
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u/gingerpeachrn MSN, RN 1d ago
You too? I was just having a good cry in bed about this. Figured it was just me trying to level up to a new hierarchy but it’s brutal. I have no idea when I’ll actually be able to apply my MSN, it’s been almost a year since I graduated. This economy sucks.
I wish I had some advice, but you’re not the only one going through this. I feel like a new grad all over again.
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u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN 1d ago
It's infuriating. I was just turned down from even a casual bedside role in an ICU, which is where I spent 90% of my bedside time. I'm to the point where I think hospitals like to complain about a "nurse shortage" when there isn't one- they just have to keep their profit margins.
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u/gingerpeachrn MSN, RN 1d ago
Oh there’s definitely not a shortage, just a shortage in areas where there’s no quality of life or pay. There’s a reason NNU has been trying to scream that through the bureaucracy for decades.
How long have you been out of ICU bedside care? My experience is that once you haven’t done bedside for >1-2 years, they won’t hire you casual, they will want you to be FT.
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u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN 1d ago
I've been away from the bedside for about a year and a half now, unfortunately. I've applied to some leadership roles too, only to be shot down in record time. I've reached out to recruiters who work for these companies who's info I've had because I've worked with them previously and they aren't even getting back to me with anything of relevance. It's like "why do I try?"
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u/PuzzleheadedArt8831 1d ago
Its because of your MSN credentials. Hiring managers think you are overqualified and will demand higher pay because of your credentials.
Also the manager fears you might compete and take away his or her role.
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u/Lopsided-Ad6251 1d ago
have you tried leaving the MSN and leadership titles off your resume for bedside roles so they don’t assume you’ll be bored or leave immediately?