Self Employed Long Term

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Hello everyone,

Looking for a bit of advice on something I am concerned about. I am self employed and have been for the last 4 years. It has worked out well and allowed me to stay home with my daughter when she was younger. It will also be ideal when I start the nursing program this year being that I set my own hours and schedule. However, I'm very concerned as to how this will effect my ability to land a nursing job when I graduate. It's been a long time since I worked for someone else as I was a SAHM mom for 6 years before I started the business. My business is all conducted online with no direct contact with my customers and I wouldn't be able to use them for references. I have thought about getting a regular job so that I will not graduate with an "employment gap", but it would be much easier to schedule my work around classes with my business. If anyone has experienced a similar situation and has advice to give that would be great! :)

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Whether the employment gap is 10 years or 12 years isn't going to make a significant difference. Keep running your business while you're in school and enjoy time with your family. If your business is legitimate, you can list it on your resume and be prepared to explain how the discipline, organization, and commitment to running a successful business relates to being a dedicated and reliable employee. You aren't the first person to pursue a nursing degree after taking time off from work to raise children, so the employment gap won't be uncommon.

That being said, getting your foot in the door at a hospital can be a great way to network and help you get a RN position once you graduate. While not necessary, it can be helpful. If you're in a state that allows you to get your certification as a CNA after a couple semesters of nursing school, and you have the ability to work as a CNA in a hospital- even per diem- while you finish school, that can be both valuable work experience and a valuable career move. It's definitely an option to consider, but again, the point would be to network and increase your chances of being hired as an RN, not simply to get rid of the employment gap on your resume.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

My only advice would be to try to time your entry into traditional "door opening" employment toward the end of your schooling. While you are in school, stick with your current set up that seems to be working well for you.

ReadyToNurse

52 Posts

Thank you for the advice Double Helix and Caliotter3. Yes being self employed definitely works well for scheduling around classes. Up here there aren't a lot of CNAs in the hospitals, they're mostly PCT and Nurse's Aides. So hopefully later in the program I should be able to snag one of those positions.

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