Advice on long nursing break

[kjaneh]

Hi,

I graduated in August 2011 and immediately began working on a Medsurg floor, GI to be exact. I worked nights for 7 months and then my husband and I moved.

We lived in Lesotho, Africa for roughly 7 months working with an NGO rehabilitating human trafficking victims. And while there I didn't necessarily practice nursing (considering the hoops they make you jump through there to get certified to practice). I was a program coordinator for the crisis shelter and worked directly with psychologists and case workers for the girls we helped.

Anyways we came back State side when I was about four months preggo. My little one is now 7 months old and I've gratefully gotten to spend all this time off loving on him. But now I'm wondering if there is anyway I can get back into practicing nursing just part time. I feel a bit hopeless and like I might have shot myself in the foot

Any advice is welcome.

[jennycRN]

Hmmmm.... Your US nursing experience was brief, under a year... You might have success with jobs that welcome new graduate nurses to apply. You are in that awkward window where you are no longer a new grad yet don't have the magic '1-2 years' experience'. You have an interesting story and some experiences that will set you apart if you are lucky enough to get an interview. Focus on stories/situations that highlight unique skills 'cross-cultural communication', 'multidisciplinary collaboration' etc.

My own story is that I left the US with 4 years nursing experience and worked overseas for 3 years with a medical NGO (as a field nurse). I had a heck of a time finding a job when I got home and was very thankful when my former employer took me back. Is going back to your first job an option for you?