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Not a week goes by that I don't get messages from
nurses who want to get back into nursing. Many are older
nurses who took time out to raise a family. Some are
no longer able to work a 40-hour week, but are willing
and able to work part time. All are frustrated by the
lack of positive response they have received from hospitals
when they have tried to apply for jobs.
A small sampling of messages:
- "It doesn't seem fair to RNs who are older
than 50 to be left out of the loop. I feel penalized
for raising my children. No wonder there is a nursing
shortage in the nation. Is there any hope for 'old'
RNs? With all the talk about incentives for the young
to pursue nursing, is there anything in the works
for older nurses to rejoin the workforce? We do have
experience in both nursing and life, yet I feel we
are being left behind."
- "I am an older nurse. I cannot understand
why I am being shunned. I haven't had excessive illness
days, but I have arthritis that prevents me from working
full time. I have, in the past, worked in SICU/MICU/PACU/ER,
some med/surg and some skilled nursing. I have also
been a hospital night supervisor. I am able and willing
to work per diem, since I don't have children or a
working husband. I could go in for even a four-hour
shift at the drop of a hat. Hospitals are turning
their noses up at my being hired. Why don't acute
hospitals look at my 30 years' experience and find
a place to use me?"
- "I have many years of nursing experience,
but feel vulnerable to a lawsuit for not knowing all
the new medications and procedures. I would love to
be back in nursing after nearly 20 years, but where
does one learn on the job? I know there are many of
us who would like to serve these patients with all
our experience and wisdom."
- "I may not be a young, beautiful nurse, but
I'm not dead either."
Given the need for nurses, you would think that hospitals
and other organizations that employ RNs would make it
easier for these nurses to update their knowledge and
skills and find ways to use nurses who can work part
time. Apparently, that is not the case.
Many hospitals offer internships for new graduates,
but few have programs for nurses who want to re-enter
the workforce. Flexibility of scheduling often means
expecting nurses to be flexible to work when hospitals
need them, not the flexibility of hospitals when the
nurses want to work different schedules.
We have a source of more nurses. They have knowledge
and experience, although it may need to be updated.
They are willing to work. Why not find ways to help
these nurses rather than reject them?
Discuss this and other topics with your colleagues
at www.nurseweek.com/rnvillage.
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