Going back to work after 1 year off!

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 18, 2006

I am in your shoes, too! Hopefully someone will chime in and tell us their experiences.

nightingalemom · Jun 19, 2006

LOL, I was just about to post along the same lines... only I've been away from nursing for seven years. I've been scouting the career-related posts like crazy, but haven't seen much that addresses the concerns of a re-entry nurse.

I've been very active in leadership roles in church, homeschooling prganizations, and community theatre, but I'm not really sure whether to include things like that on a resume for fear it smacks too much of "personal information".

I'm also greatly looking forward to advice...

carachel2 · Jun 19, 2006

I don't know if this will help or not, but I jumped back into clinical nursing after working in an outpatient rehabilitation environment for a long time. I had good EKG and monitoring skills, but had practically forgotten the basics.

I interviewed and laid out my strengths and was very up front with my weaknesses and said I would need, at minimum, a preceptor type arrangement for a month. I got my CPR, ACLS,etc. up to date and just jumped in. I agreed to work full-time during my training and then went to PRN after that.

I think the best way to go is to hire on with a preceptor type agreement. That way you get supervision and training while you are getting your feet wet again.

As far as the taking time away to be at home, no one even asked. I think it is pretty much a given that a lot of women do this. It isn't like the busines world where being a SAHM is an evil thing. Most of the nurses I now work with are PRN or part-time and it works well.

Furoffire · Jun 19, 2006

I worked for almost 2 decades and took off 3 years due to aging parents and their health issues. I have recently been hired to a new dept. I'm about 3 weeks in. What I did was to send out a great resume naming my strengths on page one on colorful paper. I took a certification class (I paid for and hope to get tax deductions later) for the unit and during the interview I brought out my strengths again and how I would be an asset to the the unit. I followed up the interview with a note card and pressed in by emailing and calling the manager to set up a 2nd interview, with that I was hired.

I have a preceptor and am taking it slow. I can't believe how the first and second week I felt like I was in molasses. Everything I used to scream through now I am slow, looking up meds etc, trying to locate new items, it can be very trying and draining but I am doing it!

I am grateful my preceptor is kind and has a wonderful sense of humor. I take very form available home and study, look stuff up on the internet, its like being in nursing school again!

Wish me luck and I covet your prayers, this week I am taking the full load but my preceptor will be right behind me. The care of patients came back very quick but meds, all the new machines, etc. are a challenge.

I strongly believe a re-entry nurse has it much easier than a new nurse, its kind of like falling off a bike than to never have riden one. LOL

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

I don't think a year off will be a problem especially since your reason for not working is the birth of your son. Seven years is a long time, there are nursing refresher courses which can help nurses who have been out of the work force.