Employment

allnurses Guide · Jun 3, 2012

I was out for a while raising kids, too. I probably wouldn't state it like that on my resume because I found it will come up during the normal course of conversation. They usually go through your work history point by point. I'm pretty sure they are not allowed to ask you if you have children, but I would be quite open about it, and I never had anyone not understand or judge me negatively.

I did include the fact that I become a volunteer group leader for a mother/baby support group during that time frame, so I would think of a way to capitalize on things you may have done that would utilize qualities you would be using on a prospective job. That just seemed for me, to be the most natural way to present myself as the "whole package".

You might mention that you are looking forward to the pace and the challenge of the workplace in your life. It's probably true, lol! Good luck in your job hunt. I was surprised when I re-entered getting a nursing job wasn't the easy task it was when I left, though! No more "shortage" in most areas!

edit to add: yes, write down your education! Also get IV certified if you need to and take BLS for healthcare providers in the meantime.

IEDave, ASN, CNA, LVN · Jun 10, 2012

am returning to the workforce after 9 years from raise kids. in that time i also took classes. I earned my Associates, CNA and LPN license. before i left the workforce I was a Medical Assistant for 10 plus years. QUESTION, on my resume, for the gap of 9 years should i mention the reason I was not working was to raise a family and further my education or, say something else?

Hmm. Only thing that I would point out in your situation is that a future employer is unlikely to be able to confirm your last employment, since employers typically only keep records for past employees going back 7-10 years (varies from state to state). So, in effect you'd be going in as a new grad. Personally, I'd mention certifications/degrees/clinicals & any volunteer experience you may've had, and leave the "raising kids" part for the actual interview - most likely they'll figure it out on their own anyway - unless they specifically ask for an explanation on the application, in which case "personal matters" or "family" would be an acceptable response. As far as whether to mention your prior MA experience - well, you certainly CAN mention it, but since they (in all likelihood) won't be able to confirm employment it's really debatable as to whether to include it or not. What I would recommend - if you're going to include it, see if you have an old pay stub from them that you can give a copy to the new hire's HR department, so they have some sort of tangible evidence that you were acutally employed there previously.

----- Dave

chach1 · Jun 10, 2012

wow, you gave me something to think about. Thanks for the information and a different way to view things

allnurses Guide · Jun 10, 2012

The reason I included all my employers is not because I think they are going to call someone I worked for years ago, but to give the interviewer an idea of what my prior experience was, and I found out that very often they asked me specific questions about those places, and it gave me a chance to talk about experiences that helped me develop skills I know the prospective employer is looking for.

I graduated in the era where all nurses needed was a standard application with "list all employment" and list "all education", anyway. I did eventually drop the job in the pie shop and the dress shop job I had before I started nursing school at age 19. :)

Others may view things differently, but I take the view that an interviewer is trying to get to know you in a very short time frame, and having things like that to talk about gives you a chance to highlight your talents. 10 years as a Medical Assistant is not insignificant, and if it was all with the same employer it demonstrates you have stability, an attractive quality.

chach1 · Jun 10, 2012

thanks