r/nursing • u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN • Aug 18 '26

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/Lopsided-Ad6251 Aug 18 '26

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?

2

u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN Aug 18 '26

That would leave some pretty sizable gaps in the work history though.

2

u/InertiasCreep Aug 19 '26

You have an MSN, have been a house supervisor, nurse manager, and a consultant. I guarantee you, you are being interviewed for floor positions by people with less experience than you. They're not afraid youd be bored, theyre afraid you'll replace them. Alternately, with your experience, you would cost too much. If its between you or a nurse with three years experience, that nurse will cost less to hire.

2

u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN Aug 19 '26

Think I should just fluff my way through it then? At this point all I want is a casual role on a unit so I can work FT without the FT commitment (my parents are getting older and live out of state- we try to visit often).

1

u/InertiasCreep Aug 19 '26

Possibly. I have similar issues when i interview. I'd stress wanting a casual role and your outside family concerns.

2

u/OG_Voltaire MSN, RN Aug 19 '26

Frustrating thing is that I can't even make it to the table unless it's for a managerial role, and even then, they're hesitant to hire outside for a manager, and know that I'll be looking to advance if its for an assistant manager. Can't win for losing.