Applying for nursing jobs after two years disabled...HELP!

[IvyandLace]

Got some really bad news today...my private insurance did NOT find me totally disabled and so my payments will immediately stop. It has been such a blessing to have, but now with it gone and a very slim outlook on getting SSI (court next month)-well, I have very few choices. There is absolutely NO way that we can survive on my husband's paycheck alone as we were barely making ends meet with both of us getting paychecks. GRRR!!! We have pared our lifestyle back so much that we don't even use heat when the weather gets too cold...can't afford the heating bill (and that was BEFORE the prices went up!)

Anyway, I am left to find a job. To tell you the truth, I'm VERY nervous about it as we really NEED the money, but my back/leg pain is still no where near where it should be for me to be working. I'm an RN so I'm trying to apply for jobs that have little lifting/walking/etc. I'd like to use my degree as much as possible as I think I'll make more than just, say, settling for being a receptionist or telemarketer.

This is my main question: I'm having trouble trying to phrase my cover sheet to A). explain my two-year absence from working as a nurse without saying "Hey, there is a very good chance I'm still not well enough to be working for you!" and B). Change my focus from being a "staff" RN to something less...ummm...physical.

How to phrase these things professionally...HELP! IVY

 

[kristen821]

Maybe you can try not saying where you were. It isn't unusual for women not to work for a few years. They have kids or move. they may not question it. If it comes up in an interview say you were off for medical reasons and have the drs. ok to return. You can even put that on the resume if you feel you need to explain yourself.

 

[barkley]

if you are appealing an ssi denial make sure if your doctor releases you for return to work he/she HEAVILY documents in the medical record that it's effect on your medical status will be under their constant review and reevaluation to monitor the impact any employment has on your health/disability. also, even if you accept and are successful at returning to work you may still be eligible to ssi for the period of time you were off work as well as a period of time after you return (active ssi recipients can work and receive benefits to a limited degree). so appeal your denials until your appeal process is exhausted (never "just reapply"-it starts a whole new begining date of aide that can result in years of lost benefits).

as for job hunting-review the federal and your state's laws regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act. it can provide you with insight into "reasonable accommodations" and how a potential employer cannot discriminate against you in making a hiring decision of the job you seek can be reasonably accommodated to your physical limitations.

have you considered looking into some local city or county jobs? there are quite a few that are not physicaly demanding but require nursing degrees to meet a law or mandate. health services departments can have largly administrative positions that require a degree in nursing to be able to review and sign off certain government forms.
if you have a local college check with them as well. some prefer to hire administrative staff that have background in the subject matter that is taught in a particular department.

best wishes.

 

[kilee]

I would possibly look into being a case manager w/ a home care agency or something along those lines. Possibly a school nurse.

Anyhow, you will most likely want a quick blurb about it in your cover letter. Real brief-- they don't want the whole long drawn out story. We had this w/ my dh. He had been hit by a car while crossing the street. He had to have 3 surgeries and was in and out of the hospital constantly. It took him just about 3 years to recover enough to re-enter the workforce. It did take a little while longer to find a job. Companies were really concerned-- but he did find something. So, hopefully it will work out for you.

 

[MagicalMom]

I would check with your state too. Here in Delaware you cannot keep your license active if you are not working. A refresher course must also be taken before you can reapply for it. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[yeartolate]

I do not think that the lapse in employment will be your problem.

Your problem will be that you are applying for a job when you feel you should be totally disabled. I have never applied for a job when they have not asked "is there anything that would prevent you from carrying out your normal duties". ADA requires accomodation - but what accomodation would help? Even a desk job for someone who is suffering with chronic leg and back pain would be iffy. Has your MD cleared you for work?

Have you sought second(and third etc) opinions on your condition from specialists - is there anything else they can do to get you to a better place?

By the way, what are the job opportunities in your area? Have you seen what is out there for nurses? Case management might be a good match, but you might be required to be trained first.

DO you have any home based opportunities?

 

[roseprincess]

You can try to apply to work at a pediatric doctors office or some nursing office job, where you are not on your feet all the time, some sitting, some standing.
Also, sometimes in the want ads, there are sometimes listed more obscure nursing jobs. I saw something about 10 yrs ago, about doing home triage nursing from home. You would be on call at home, but it was mostly during late night, into the early morning hours every night. I had called to inquire about it. They wanted someone with some ER triage experience for the job. I didin't have that experience, so I didn't apply.
I'm guessing if you check the nursing want ads, you might find something like that, even tho it is probably rare. Also can check the Nursing Spectrum magazine, they list job opportunities in there.

Best wishes.


Rosemarie

 

[AZKathy]

Just remember with interviews, the employer cannot ask you about any disablities and you are not required by law to tell them anything about your disability. I can guarantee that if you tell them about a back injury two years ago, YOU WILL NOT GET HIRED! I can tell you from PERSONAL experience. Two years ago, I herniated two discs myself and I still experience significant back pain and radiculopathy in both legs. I was honest in my interview process (now, I am an RN with 25 years experience) and guess what? I was NOT hired! I found out after the fact that I did not have to disclose that information and I got a phone call for hire one day after the next interview!

There are plenty of areas you can work such as home health, school nursing, preop areas for operating rooms, etc.

I would answer those questions you mentioned with "personal"...they do not need to know why you were not working; you could have been at home with a baby for two years for all they know.

Good luck. It is definately hard to work with our injuries. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Feel free to PM me if you need to.

 

[tar heel]

Insurance companies hire lots of nurses to do phone work. Depending on where you are in SW Virginia, that might be an option -- some of the small towns wouldn't have that, though. Some home health/hospice agencies also have phone nurses who do triage. I don't think being a regular nurse at home health/hospice would work b/c those folks do it all which could easily mean lifting. A doctor's office nurse would be better than that.

Although this certainly isn't what you wanted, you are lucky to be in a field that's in very heavy demand.

 

[malibuconlee]

The two things I was going to say have already been suggested.

Look into school nursing. Contact insurance companies. My cousin's wife works for BCBS. She's an RN and evaluates cases for medical necessity. They even let her work from home after her husband got out of the military and wanted to move closer to family. She takes shifts a couple of times a month to keep up hers skills, and I think because she likes to work OB and see all the new babies.

Our local community college also offers a short course to those with nursing degrees who haven't been working in awhile.