going back to work after being off with baby

[scarlett1110]

I've been off work for almost two years with my son and am now thinking about going back. How do I go about doing this? How do I explain to potential employers about the big gap in work and how do I update my resume? Is it hard to go back after time off? I've been going to grad school for most of this time and am now conflicted between going back to work (making money would be nice again) and doing my grad studies. Guess you could say I'm alittle conflicted but I feel like I'm never going to be able to get back into nursing.

[utahliz]

I think you have a great story to tell, having stayed in touch with your field through grad school while being home with your baby. I'm just delving into the job hunt (finish my BSN in August--woo hoo!) but it seems to me you'll be fine. One of my nurse acquaintances was out of the work force for several years and went back recently, apparently without a problem. Another just switched to a much more demanding setting, and is concerned about getting up to speed, but they're giving her support and she's revisiting old textbooks to refresh her theory base. I have a feeling it's not that uncommon, since flexibility is one of the attractive features of a nursing career.

[lady_jezebel]

I took less time off work after the birth of my child, but applied immediately to a new type of nursing (ICU) from med-surg once back. The interviewers completely understood why I took time off & then worked part-time initially on the med-surg floor when back, and I think it even made me a more interesting & "responsible" candidate. Anyway, I got the job (& it was very competitive)!