Nursing Layoffs: How to Stay Calm, Reclaim Your Confidence, and Find Your Next Job

If you’re reading this, thenyou’ve probably been laid off from your nursing job or are worried about a future layoff, and are anxious about it. Layoffs can be stressful when they’re unexpected. Unlike being fired, layoffs can come for reasons out of your control, but it’s still a frustrating experience to go through, especially when you know that the U.S. is under a nursing shortage.

It helps to know that you’re not alone. In the past year, many nurses have been laid off due to budget cuts and operational issues within hospitals and clinics. The anxiety, panic, and stress you feel are real and deserve to be acknowledged.

No matter what situation you’re in, staying calm and collected during a layoff is key to finding your next job without feeling overwhelmed. Below are some ways you can navigate this situation and remain grounded, knowing that you have other career options.

Take Some Space to Relax

Getting laid off is a deeply unpleasant experience. Nobody likes losing their income, but it’s more common than you might think. Approximately 40% of Americans have been laid off at some point in their lives. In fact, in today’s changing news cycle, layoffs can almost feel normalized. You might even know of a nurse who’s been laid off more than once.

When it happens to you, give yourself time to rest and process your feelings. You may be angry, upset, or disappointed thatyou’ve been let go from a jobyou’ve worked hard for. It can feel like grief to experience a significant change like that.

Explore Other Career Opportunities

Now that you’re rested and ready for action, you can start exploring other career options that are right for you.

Think about how your last job served you (or didn’t). Ask yourself questions like:

What did I like about my previous job? What didn’t I like?
What do I need to do to achieve the career I want?
What does my dream job look like?

Reflecting on questions like these will help you view your career from a broader perspective and determine what you genuinely want to do. Maybe a bedside job wasn’t right for you, and you want a nursing job that’s more laid back and applicable to your skills. Alternatively, this can be an opportunity for you to pursue the advanced nursing degree you have always wanted.

You can also write down or discuss with someone what you want your career to look like to have a better idea of the jobs that are right for you. Doing this can help you focus on your nursing career with a clear view of where you want to go, rather than applying to random jobs that aren’t a good fit.

Network with Other Professionals

Brushing up your resume and applying to jobs is important, but networking can give you an advantage and land you a nursing position that you didn’t see advertised elsewhere.

For many people, networking can feel intimidating. Many professionals believe that networking involves attending as many events as possible or engaging with strangers they don’t know. The reality is that networking can involve authentic, one-on-one conversations with peers you already know.

To start, you can reach out to former colleagues and ask them for a chat about career opportunities. Connect with your nursing school to see if they have any alum events or groups you can join online for a lead. Nursing forums, educational webinars, and other professional gatherings are also excellent ways to meet people who can guide you in the right direction.

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Karie Pinnix

Karie Pinnix is a public relations strategist and freelance journalist with experience writing content for print and broadcast platforms and creating branding development with start-up companies. She’s written about topics like college nightlife, community organizations in Mississippi, and the nurse shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. When she’s not working, you can find her exploring nature, catching up on reading, or traveling to the nearest beach.