Taking a break from Nursing

IHeartPeds87 · Dec 9, 2009

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone left nursing to do something else for a bit. I would love to take a break and try something else, but I am nervous about what I would say to a potential employer. Are they going to think I am nuts for leaving a 28 dollar an hour job for 12.00 an hour? Or how about when I want to go back to nursing? Am I going to look like someone who doesn't want to be a nurse? Or can't handle being a nurse?
I would love to hear any thoughts or stories on this.
Thanks!

If you want to take a break and try something else then do it. I'd suggest staying with nursing PRN and picking up shifts every once in awhile.....that way you aren't truly "leaving" it.

As for what you'd say to a potential employer....try the truth

bluemartian, BSN · Dec 9, 2009

I am in medical device sales and its been eye opening seeing how the other half live. I do belong to a couple of local professional associations and keep up with CEUs to maintain my license.

nurturing_angel · Dec 9, 2009

I tried to take a break from nursing once. No one would hire me because they said I would leave to go back to the higher paying job. :jester:

mamamerlee, LPN · Dec 9, 2009

I took a three year break, and it would have been longer. I was a travel agent before 9/11, and I LOVED it. But when the bottom dropped out, I stuck it out 'til the next March, and with little sign of recovery, went back to nursing.

Important to know that I had been a nurse for 25 years before the break, and potential employers didn't seemed fazed at all that I took a break and was now 'refreshed' and ready to come back.

Best wishes!

DogWmn · Dec 9, 2009

I took a break, and it helped me greatly unfortunatly it was too long of a break and I'm having a problem getting relicensed in my current state, I was able to re-license in another state that I had held a license in but I can't get a job in GA:angryfire. They do not allow CE's, you must work as a nurse, so be sure to check with your BON to find out what their policies are to make sure you don't loose your license.

Enjoy your break, I got into Tech Writing for IT and got a web design certification so at 59 I'm a real computer nerd;).

mamamerlee, LPN · Dec 9, 2009

Good point - - keep your license current!

RunningRNBSN · Dec 9, 2009

I think taking a break is a great idea! I agree that you might want to keep a PRN job and work 1-2 days a month to keep your clinical skills and license up.. just in case you need to go back to clinical nursing.

I am working hard to get advanced degrees (MSN and then Ph.D.) because I want to move out of the "traditional" nursing role.

bill4745, RN · Dec 9, 2009

I left for ten years to start and run a business. I was welcomed back to hospital nursing with my business experience looked at as a plus. Check with your nursing board about CEUs and work hours. Many states require a minimum number of work hours during a specific number of years to maintain your license (my state requires 1,500 hours during the previous five years).

Schmoo1022 · Dec 9, 2009

I tried to take a break from nursing once. No one would hire me because they said I would leave to go back to the higher paying job.

That is what I would think too!

Schmoo1022 · Dec 9, 2009

I would like to do very limited PRN. I think that would help when I decided to return. Even if it ws just once or twice a month. I would also keep up on my license, cpr and ceu's. I worked way to hard to just let my license go. I do not know what else I would like to do..but I am unhappy and need a change.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 9, 2009

A lot depends on the details, such as how long of a break, etc.

If the break is going to be more than a couple of months long, it's important to maintain your skills as well as your license. Your nursing opportunities may become extremely limited (or non-existent) if you don't keep your skills up by working an ocassional shift to stay current. Employers often look at the "returning nurse" as harder to orient than a new grad. New grads have been in the hospital recently and know the current trends and are used to the busy pace, etc. Nurses who have been out-of-touch for a while need to "un-learn" their "old-fashioned" ideas and may have trouble to the current environment.

So, yes, it is possible to take a break ... but be careful to keep up your knowledge and practical skills by working ocassionally in nursing so that employers view you as an attractive hire should you wish to return.