Unexpected Nurse Termination: 8 Things to Do After a Job Loss (2140 hits)
Downsizing, restructuring, and a decreased hospital income are all affecting the nursing profession. What was once considered a job for life is now as vulnerable as many others, even though there is a national shortage of nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for those in nursing will increase by 21 percent by 2018. For those who have unexpectedly lost a job in nursing through no fault of their own, there are eight essential things to do.
1. Don’t Take it Personally
Losing a job can happen to anyone these days, and it is important to not take it personally. Finding another one takes great inner strength and motivation and requires every bit of energy, which will pay off in the end. This is not the time for job seekers to start feeling sorry or hiding away. The Department of Labor reported 400,000 job losses in the public sector in 2011, indicating that this is a widespread issue and not focused on a single department.
2. Start Looking Today
It is very important to start looking for a new job right away. Firstly, scoping the job market will give you an idea of the types of nursing positions available and can also be an opportunity to review different types of jobs where transferable skills will be valuable. It will also give you an idea of the type of experience that is in high demand.
3. Call Up Contacts
Not all jobs are advertised and employers will know of those posts that are just about to become vacant. Getting in touch with past employers to inquire about potential posts is a vital part of a job search. Sometimes, an ex-boss may not have a job in their surgery unit but will know someone else who may have an opening in pediatrics.
4. Review Your Experience and Training
Along with developing a resume, focus on your qualifications and experience with a critical and reflective eye. Perhaps there is a gap in your work history that could be addressed by a short course. There are also lots of online courses to consider, many of which are free of cost. These add a little more to a resume and are useful. If there has been a gap since doing any further education as part of a healthcare career, it may be worth getting some advice on retraining in some aspects of the job.
5. Plan the Day Around the Job Hunt
Finding work is a priority when there are bills to pay, and organizing your day around the job search is vital. This includes getting up early and sorting out which applications need to be completed, which searches need to be done, and which phone calls have to be made. While unemployed, the typical work hours during the day should be dedicated for your job search.
6. Consider Temporary Work
While searching for a full-time permanent position, it may be worthwhile to find temporary or part-time work in healthcare. This keeps job skills current and is useful for learning new skills in a different specialty. Sometimes, permanent posts come from having temporary contracts in a different department. Additionally, temporary or part-time positions allow you to build your network and expand on more “unadvertised” job opportunities.
7. Don’t Take Just Any Job
When job hunting in the healthcare world, it is important to consider a new job carefully and not jump into any post. There is nothing worse than being unhappy in a job or not having the skills to work in a new environment. It is vital to treat the job hunt as if it is part of career development and go for the job that is most suitable.
8. Think About Starting a New Chapter
Losing a job is just like starting a new chapter in a career, and it is always worth stopping to think about doing something a little different. According to Forbes, there are some areas of nursing that are not moving forward, but others, like critical care, are because there is a high demand for them. The job loss may be just the catalyst to take a step into management or teaching by being creative and thinking laterally about transferable skills. If unexpected job loss happens to you, these are a few ways to help you keep motivated, strong, and successful. There will be a job out there for you eventually.
