Best nursing job for a returning to workforce mom

[jplcp]

I have been out of work for 10 years raising my family. I would love a 9 to 5 job, off on weekends and holidays. However I have a nursing degree without much experience. I don't think many doctor offices hire RNs and if they do they probably hire ones with recent experience. Does anyone have suggestions for a good first back in the game nursing job? Thank you

[Sour Lemon]

I have been out of work for 10 years raising my family. I would love a 9 to 5 job, off on weekends and holidays. However I have a nursing degree without much experience. I don't think many doctor offices hire RNs and if they do they probably hire ones with recent experience. Does anyone have suggestions for a good first back in the game nursing job? Thank you

Well, what did you do before you took ten years off? ...and for how long?

[RNperdiem, RN]

I suspect the truthful answer would be any nursing job that will hire you and the job that does probably involves shift work, weekends and holidays.

Now, if you work that first job and get some experience, then you are in a better position to apply for the clinic jobs, day surgery, occupational health etc.

[jplcp]

I did med-surg for 6 months

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

Try urgent care. It won't get you out of every weekend, but you can maybe get on a rotation where you only have to do 1 a month. They are usually closed on holidays. Or school nursing, maybe home health or home hospice.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

If I understood you correctly, you have 6 months experience- ten years ago- and now you want to start in with hours that most people consider cherry. I think you may be in competition with candidates who have more (and more recent) experience. I suggest you work on getting back in the profession before holding out for the perfect schedule. Maybe something part-time would be easier to deal with; even if the shift times stink, there are fewer of them...

[jplcp]

No that's not what I was implying, sorry. I would love a 9 to 5 job if i didn't have my degree in nursing. However that's the profession I chose. So I am aware I am not getting a 9 to 5 job etc, I will be getting hard Nursing Jobs. Having 10 years off and lacking experience, I was wondering if there are any nursing jobs that are considered easier for people in my situation that need to get experience but aren't putting lives in danger learning as they work.

[HeySis, BSN, RN]

So in the last ten years you have kept up with all the CEU's required to continually renew your license? I would emphasis that point, but maybe look at a refresher course and then apply to new grad programs. You are not a new grad but you might as well be and some of the programs here have any nurse with less then one year acute experience go through the program regardless of when they graduated and how much LTC/other experience they have.

[Hangin'On,RN]

To be honest, after being out for a decade, you are like a brand new nurse all over again and will probably have to start back to square one on a med-surg or other floor to gain experience first, at least part time. Most hospitals, I would assume, give a decent amount of orientation, and then after you get some experience you could start job searching. Maybe school nursing or a clinic position could be your end goal because the schedules are more what you are looking for. Some clinics will hire RNs without much experience. I guess it also depends on what the job market looks like in your area. If it's something you truly want to do again, just start applying for positions and see what happens. I wish you luck!

[jplcp]

Thanks!!

[milmom35]

It depends on what your career goal is: if you want to get back to the hospital then a refresher program followed by a New Grad residency is an option. But, this often means doing rotating 12hr shifts, holidays, etc and not the best balance for family life. If that matters then I'd encourage you to look outside the hospital.

It's true that many clinics hire Medical Assistants now, but some private practices still have RNs. Find out if you will be the only RN on staff--I think you need nursing colleagues around while you gain experience (an advantage of the hospital). Ask around at your church and connect with old nursing school classmates. Check out career fairs at a local university. Meanwhile, you need to show that you do have relevant experience as a stay at home mom.

1. You can volunteer or work at a summer camp (some are easier but others can be very intense!).

2. Ask your childrens' school or scouts club if they need a nurse to chaperone outings

3. Volunteer with the Red Cross or a church health fair

Wish you the best!

[jplcp]

Thank you