Time Off To Have A Family - Lots of Questions!

Published Aug 27, 2010

1 Post

I received my BSN in 2007 and started working in surgery right out of college. I enjoyed my job very much! I worked full-time as a surgery nurse up until 1 week before my first child was born in September of 2008. After a 3-month maternity leave I decided to go back, PRN, working only 1-day a week. I did this up until February 2010 when my husband got a job overseas. I am now unemployed, living in another country and, because my husband's job provides well for us, have no current plans to work. My focus has now turned to being a mother - as I now have a 2-year-old and another baby on the way.

So, obviously I am an "inactive nurse". But I have some questions and I can't seem to find any answers on the internet. I was hoping someone here might have some information for me.

First: When moving out of country and becoming inactive do I need to contact the Board of Nursing in the state we previously resided to notify them of my current address and unemployment? Or can this wait until my license is up for renewal?

Second: Will I lose my license by not working? And is there any way to keep it active by just attending seminars or doing courses online?

Third: Being a profession dominated by women, I am sure I am not the only person who ever took time off to have a family. How difficult is it to get back into nursing after you have not worked for a while?

Any information of knowledge is GREATLY appreciated.

Kindest,

E :)