Getting back to work after a year off?

Hey guys, 

I've been taking some time off and doing some travelling. 

Approx 13 months off now.

I worked ICU as a new grad for a couple of years but have over 8 years experience as an LVN/LPN med/surg, LTAC, home health, SNF...

Just wondering if I wanna get back to work, how long out is too long?

I'm hoping to back at it in November, so 21 months...

What do you guys think?

Reach out to the last place you worked. It's likely they remember you.

On 3/13/2020 at 3:09 PM, Anonymous666 said:

Approx 13 months off now.

...

I'm hoping to back at it in November, so 21 months...

Is there any possibility that you could go back sooner rather than later? The longer you wait, the harder it's going to be. IMO, 13 months will be an easier sell than 21.

I took three years off to stay home with my youngest child. I had no problem getting a med surg job. I'll be switching to home hospice next week. They also did not blink at my time away.

Edited Mar 14 by Happyness4me

Thanks for the responses, guys. 
 

I can’t go back to the old job as I moved away. 
 

I can’t go back to work sooner as I’ve still got some traveling to do. 
 

I’m assuming nurses are gonna be in pretty high demand in not to distant future, anyway, given the current corona climate. 
 

Does anyone know what the average requirements are for travel agencies with regards to “recent” experience? 

Travel agency wants recent experience. I’ve been gone 2 yrs & they would not consider me

On 3/13/2020 at 12:09 PM, Anonymous666 said:

Hey guys, 

I've been taking some time off and doing some travelling. 

Approx 13 months off now.

I worked ICU as a new grad for a couple of years but have over 8 years experience as an LVN/LPN med/surg, LTAC, home health, SNF...

Just wondering if I wanna get back to work, how long out is too long?

I'm hoping to back at it in November, so 21 months...

What do you guys think?

I think you'd be marketable in most places, especially if you're looking for general (med/surg) work and not a narrow specialty. If you're in a tight market, you may experience more difficulty getting a foot back in the door. And there are other factors, of course. Age, type of degree, what your past employers have to say about you, etc.

 

On 3/15/2020 at 6:49 AM, Anonymous666 said:

Thanks for the responses, guys. 
 

I can’t go back to the old job as I moved away. 
 

I can’t go back to work sooner as I’ve still got some traveling to do. 
 

I’m assuming nurses are gonna be in pretty high demand in not to distant future, anyway, given the current corona climate. 
 

Does anyone know what the average requirements are for travel agencies with regards to “recent” experience? 

Do you think that current events may hinder your continued walkabout? Or for that matter, do they give you second thoughts?

I have also taken off 2 years to raise my babies and now I'm finding it incredibly difficult to get a job in a hospital. Everyone wants "recent" experience, which in my experience means about a year or less. I high recommend getting back in now if you can.

On 3/23/2020 at 2:07 AM, Jedrnurse said:

Do you think that current events may hinder your continued walkabout? Or for that matter, do they give you second thoughts?

Yeah, I’m currently stationary. 
 

Unless things get worse, like war zone-style, I have no desire to hit the floor during all this mess. 

1 hour ago, Anonymous666 said:

Yeah, I’m currently stationary. 
 

Unless things get worse, like war zone-style, I have no desire to hit the floor during all this mess. 

Conversely, traveling a lot isn't such a wonderful option either. Are there any alternatives to inpatient that you would consider during the pandemic? I work in a school (which is closed) and am considering the Medical Response Corps in my state.