From Nursing to Stay at Home Mom

Nurses Career Support

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After about 11 years in nursing, I decided to stay home with my 2 children (#3 on the way!) a little over a year ago. I am planning to keep my license active. But, I have concerns about what will happen when I eventually decide to go back to work. We all know, the medical world is constantly changing. How will I ever get back in the swing of things? At this point, I have not decided how long I plan to stay home. Just wondering if anyone out there has been in a similar situation and what advice you might give. Thanks!

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Specializes in Peds general and ICU/Comm. Disease RN.

I am not sure about the resources available to you but I have heard about "refresher courses" for people that have been out of the clinical arena for a long time. I think I would want to brush up before getting back to the bedside as well.

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Specializes in Med-surg, OB, school nursing.

If you know for sure you want to return to nursing esp with the economy the way it is then find something you can do per diem. That way you can keep your foot in the door and your skills up to date. I wish that is what I had done. I took off 10 yrs (loved being home but was ready to return) and none of the hospitals would even consider hiring me and we don't have refresher courses around here-the hospitals provide them. Also being out so long I wondered if I could even keep up with it all now and so much has changed. I was able to find a part-time job as a school nurse which is better than nothing but I'm still hoping to return to my first love-OB someday. Enjoy your time home with your kids-you won't regret it but I definately wouldn't take more than a couple years off without doing something! Congrats on the new baby too!

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I am in a similar position. I left my job about 6 months ago because I was getting burned out at the hospital. I'm taking my time to re-evaluate what I want to do. I've got kids and enjoying being at home and available physically and emotionally (all my kiddos are in school).:D I too want to keep my license active. Right now I'm taking courses online for CEU and trying to explore other fields in nursing. I definitely think school nursing might be the right fit for our family. I will try to sub in the school district as a nurse.

I was in my last position at the hospital for 5 years. Prior to that I had been out of nursing for about 18 months. I stayed home to take care of my child but we needed my income again. It was good while it lasted. I was hired immediately (no refresher course). I had orientation for 4 weeks though. That was in 2004. Times are different today. The job market is tighter. Agree with PO getting a per diem position is a good idea. For me, the desire for adrenaline rush is gone. I loved critical care and enjoyed my work for a long time but the past year and 1/2, I just got tired, i needed to recoup before I lose myself. Enjoy your family. In the mean time take some classes and courses in your field to keep up on what is new. I think technical skills can be picked up again when you go back, but at least your potential employer knows you didn't completely leave nursing.

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