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Post by chayan on Oct 16, 2010 21:23:17 GMT -5
I don't have a job yet (looking) but I'd like to talk to nurses with families, how you were able to make the family routine work around your job schedule. I was able to manage through school because it wasn't every day (except for one summer session, but it was doable because I knew it was finite). While in school, if worse came to worst, I would take off school/come late if there was some family crisis, which I can't do once I have a real job.
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asp40
New Member
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Post by asp40 on Oct 17, 2010 11:02:19 GMT -5
Well, I am not a nurse yet, just finishing up my final semester. However, it was tough during school. I have 4 kids ages 4-8y and I started when they were ages 3-6y. I chose to attend at night so that I could be home during the day if someone got sick, and someone is always getting sick of course. I attend school 4 nights/week. My plan when I graduate is to work nights so that way if someone gets sick it will not force me too call off from work - my husband will be home with them.
My main scheduling issue that I am stressed about is that the night shift ends after my husband normally leaves for work. So, I will need to hire early morning help to bridge that gap. Of course, the main worry is getting that elusive first job, so I figure I can deal with the childcare later.
How large is your family and what exactly are you worried about?
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Post by achot on Oct 17, 2010 13:08:38 GMT -5
When I had my babies, one after the other I stayed at home (it was cheaper and better than babysitting). When my baby was 4 I went back to work nights and graduated to days as the kids grew. My kids always came first, but Baruch Hashem it wasnt that often and my husband was terrifically supportive.
Take things one step at a time, See what resources you have in terms of neighbors, family and friends when you need help.
Good luck,Dont worry it will work itself out...if not, you can always quit.
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Post by medic09 on Oct 17, 2010 18:52:52 GMT -5
asp40, if you haven't yet checked, verify that there aren't any shorter shifts available. Our ER, for instance, only offers 12 hour shifts officially. But they can't afford to turn people away; so if nurses ask, they can sometimes work out 8 hour shifts (and even 4s on occasion).
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Post by Rivka P on Oct 17, 2010 23:19:38 GMT -5
speaking of staying home with babies etc, I had been working part time til we moved this summer, and I am now hearing it from possible employers, the likes of "oh, well then you don't really have as much experience as we thought, and therefore you are not qualified for the job etc" and also, since I have holes in my resume, from when I took off when I had Laya Ora, people always want to know what I was doing during that time. Now also, I will have some time with nothing (well flu shot clinics, but yeh, nothing acute care etc) and I am going to get asked about that. I don't want to have to share personal details like "I had a baby" because it's frankly none of their business...
How did you get back to work after taking off? Did you take a refresher course?
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Post by achot on Oct 18, 2010 14:07:47 GMT -5
Do you HAVE to write in your holes in your resume? While you were on maternity leave, weren't you still officially employed? For example if you worked from 2006 to 2010 at a certain place and took 4 months off for maternity leave, you were still technically employed at this place during the leave and it may not be technically necessary to write "employed from August 2006 to May 2007 at Hospital Z and from September 2007 to June 2010 at Hospital Z (same name)".
OTOH, what you are saying is "My family is important to me" this being a quality of stability and well roundedness, as well as honest and trustworthy. You can play up those points. I hope they are not thinking "Oh she is going to have more kids and therefore, I dont want a nurse who is out on maternity leave all the time so she is not worth investing in..."
I know that officially they are not allowed to discriminate, but as a nurse manager I would not want to start a nurse who is pregnant (I have had bad experiences with this) and might find a reason not to employ her and then would be less likely to reevaluate her as a potential employee in the future (after she comes back to work). When I was looking for work and then discovered I was pregnant I called the facility and told them I just discovered I was pregnant (I wanted to be honest) did this make a difference, I know that I was hurting myself financially but didnt want to be dishonest as I represent a certain sector of religious Jews, I wanted to be above and beyond. I guess I also didnt want to work with 4 babies at home (I had 4 in 2 and a half years...) it was hard financially but paying babysitters and losing that quality time would have cost us more (more than just financial). I remember cutting corners to the bare bones, but I felt good being there for my babies.
As to your questions- I dont think a refresher course is necessary and they are hard to find and expensive (I am told) just persistence and sending out resumes. If you have an outstanding letter(s) of recommendation, that really helps.
Good Luck!!
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Post by achot on Oct 18, 2010 14:10:29 GMT -5
asp40, if you haven't yet checked, verify that there aren't any shorter shifts available. Our ER, for instance, only offers 12 hour shifts officially. But they can't afford to turn people away; so if nurses ask, they can sometimes work out 8 hour shifts (and even 4s on occasion). I realize that there is a shortage where you work, but isnt it crazy if you have some staff who work 12s and some 8s and even some 4s it must be disorganized with some staff coming in at different hours- it isnt consistent. How does the manager make the scheduling for the week? Do you have a computer system for this? |
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Post by Rivka P on Oct 18, 2010 19:48:50 GMT -5
achot, I never officially took maternity leave. I actually moved and left my jobs during both of my pregnancies, so I was not officially employed while home with the new baby.
I stopped looking for jobs while pregnant, but I did give some flu shots.
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Post by medic09 on Oct 18, 2010 21:41:44 GMT -5
I realize that there is a shortage where you work, but isnt it crazy if you have some staff who work 12s and some 8s and even some 4s it must be disorganized with some staff coming in at different hours- it isnt consistent. How does the manager make the scheduling for the week? Do you have a computer system for this? The short answer is: I don't know how it works. |
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Post by achot on Oct 19, 2010 6:39:07 GMT -5
achot, I never officially took maternity leave. I actually moved and left my jobs during both of my pregnancies, so I was not officially employed while home with the new baby. I stopped looking for jobs while pregnant, but I did give some flu shots. Oh, that must be tough to be moving when you are pregnant. Life is funny that way, you never know what is in store... At least you should have great letters of references. Even from the flu shot job....to show reliability, honesty, integrity that sort of thing. Job hunting is such mazal, bez'H-m I am sure you will find something. Are you looking for something specific? |
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Post by chayan on Oct 19, 2010 10:05:00 GMT -5
Mordechai, there is a shortage where you work? Where, where? Nothing but nothing is available for new grads in NYC. (Looks like I'll have plenty of time for my babies after all... must be a blessing.)
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Post by medic09 on Oct 19, 2010 11:31:27 GMT -5
Mordechai, there is a shortage where you work? Where, where? Nothing but nothing is available for new grads in NYC. (Looks like I'll have plenty of time for my babies after all... must be a blessing.) Santa Fe, New Mexico. With almost no Jewish resources to speak of. No schools for observant children. But the bottom line: despite a shortage, hiring is limited because of limited funds and budgets. |
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Post by chayan on Oct 19, 2010 19:08:53 GMT -5
I just filled out applications for nursing internships in Dallas, TX and Coer d'Aline, ID (near Spokane, WA). Basically any job that says "new grad" on it, I apply. If anyone bites... well it will be like following the clouds in the desert.
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Post by achot on Oct 20, 2010 14:39:32 GMT -5
Firstly - Good Luck with all your endeavors. But since you mentioned following clouds in the desert, I have to remind you that if you want you can find a job in Israel, there will be a licensing exam in English but the option exists!
Again all the best!
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Post by medic09 on Oct 20, 2010 18:47:06 GMT -5
I just filled out applications for nursing internships in Dallas, TX and Coer d'Aline, ID (near Spokane, WA). Basically any job that says "new grad" on it, I apply. If anyone bites... well it will be like following the clouds in the desert. I second Achot's suggestion: look at Israel. Dallas has a nice Jewish community. Idaho - NOTHING. When I lived north of the border, Idaho was known as survivalist country. My wife will tell you it's the only place I covered my kippah, after getting some nasty stares. Jewish friends in BC also didn't feel so comfortable traveling there. |
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