Getting a job after being on maternity leave for many years

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi Everyone,

My last full-time employment was back in October 2007 and I have mostly been at home with my 2 sons ever since only doing very sporatic agency nursing and now I am not even going to do that anymore. I received my training in Med/Surg and had just over one year before having my first son. My youngest is 8 months and we are thinking about having one more. Ideally I would like to wait until the youngest is 3 to go back to work full-time. I plan to keep my license until I go back to work. Are there any areas of nursing that would hire me after such a hiatus? Or would I have to go back and do a refresher course before anyone would hire me. I would do the refresher if I went back into any acute care areas but to be honest that would be a last resort. I really don't like Med/Surg and I don't want to take the time to do the refresher or spend the money if it isn't necessary. I have thought about going into nursing education but I don't know much about how to get into that profession yet aside from getting a masters (such as could I work for the college in another capacity while I went to school, etc)...anyway, I am rambling so I had better cut this off :) See above to know what my questions are (they are in bold and italic). Thanks in advance for your insight!

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You are not on maternity leave... you are a stay-at--home-Mom (SAHM). That is a job, not a hiatus so be proud of it. It's the hardest job in the world.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I agree. your a SAHM. i would suggest getting a prn job and working a day or two a month just to stay current..(plus as a former sahm it helps with the sanity ;) Enjoy.

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

Well... mums here get a year off with job security so technically, may still be on mat leave.

Just sayin'.

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With one year of experience, it is difficult to predict how an institution would view you. It is possible that you might beviewed as a new graduate, since you haven't worked in about 3 years and things change, but it is also possible that you may be viewed as having experience. You jsut need to apply and test the waters and see what happens, as things will vary from hospital to hospital.

As for nurisng education, you will most likely need at least two years of clinical experience before being hired for a part time clinical instructor. For a full time faculty position in a baccalaureate program and associate degree program, you will probably need a master's degree in a clinical area. For an LPN program, I have seen some programs allow thsoe with a baccalaureate teach, and others require a master's degree. But, you never know what their requirements or needs are until you apply, so send out your resume and see what happens from there. Good luck!

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Well... mums here get a year off with job security so technically, may still be on mat leave.

Just sayin'.

That's because Canada is nice to it's Mom's.... unlike the US. Now go look at Scandinavia, especially Finland and see what a sweeeeet deal SAHMs get over there. I have a friend that has been on full pay for 6 YEARS while she had 2 kids. I will repeat that, in a louder voice FULL PAY FOR 6 YEARS! Shame about the snow over there.... and raw herring.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I stayed home and worked per diem on and off to avoid that predicament. I also had many years of Trauma, ICU, etc., behind me so I was able to go anywhere.

I suggest working AT LEAST 1 or 2 a month.

Otherwise, you are not as marketable and will have to start all over. The fact that you only have 1 year of medsurg...in my eyes, you are still a newbie.

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Thank you so much for all of your responses. Now I have another question... do you think that getting hired as a clinic RN would be as challenging if I just stayed home for the next few years and kept my license active? I really don't want to leave the kids for even 1-2 days a month... What can I say... I love being a SAHM :)! Have any of you done the refresher RN course anywhere?

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Thank you so much for all of your responses. Now I have another question... do you think that getting hired as a clinic RN would be as challenging if I just stayed home for the next few years and kept my license active? I really don't want to leave the kids for even 1-2 days a month... What can I say... I love being a SAHM :)! Have any of you done the refresher RN course anywhere?

Only if there is a desperate need for nurses....you'd probably get an easier job at a supermarket or even a department store. I am just being honest. You're competing with new grads who are EXTREMELY eager to train.

Trust me--I was a mostly SAHM, and enjoyed the 1 or 2 times a month to feed my scientific/critical thinking self.

There's nothing wrong with the choices you're making, just don't be surprised you can't just jump right back into nursing without being turned away--like a new grad.

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