How to explain a 3 to 4 year lapse of nursing practice in your Resume?

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I have been out of clinical practice for 3 years, prior to leaving for health reasons, I worked 3 years in Managed care for a well known insurance provider and 5 years in Cardiology interventional unit and med/surg units. My health issues are now under control and I have been given the thumbs up to return to work! But as I continue to send out resume for jobs, I am at a loss as to what to provide as the reason for the almost 4 year lapse in practice. I have kept my license current, so to my understanding I am not required by the state of NC to undergo a refresher course. I would actually prefer to return to a roll as a disease or case management position. But again, the lapse in work history seems to bite me in the rear. I do not want to provide full disclosure in fear that if I mention that I had to take time out for health reason, that will automatically raise a red flag from the employeer's view point; how do I estblish the fact that my health issues have greatly improved.

Can anyone provided any insight in the best way to address this issue on my resume and cover letters as I apply for nursing jobs? I desperately need to be working by Feb 2010.

Thanks so much! And thanks for welcoming me into the all nurse community....this is my first post!

Kim

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I would not mention it unless asked. If you are asking about a resume I would just put "stay at home Mom" or "home maker".

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:hrns&wlcm:You could say you were able to take some time off to spend with family and/ or travel. I bet you did some travelling during that time, even if it was just life's journey. I would be willing to bet you did some independent study during this time as well, even if it was of your own health condition, right? :redpinkhe:specs:

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

Welcome Kim!

If your screen name is the same as your real name I would suggest you change it.

I like the idea of homemaker.

Goodluck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Howdy Kim!

My advice is DO NOT put on your CV you had health problems. It doesn't look good and will chase u 4ever.

I've never explained gaps in my CV and if anyone asks (which they do but it's rare), I say I had personal issues which I'm not willing to discuss, or that I wasn't working cos my partner was working. You're not under any obligation to explain gaps in ur CV. As long as ur health issues are under control, it's no-one's business except yours & ur doctors.

U can also say u were studying, ie: it doesn't have to be professional studies, I said I was doing historical and community studies for personal growth & the employer was happy with that (I was but not full time). I've also said I've been actively searching for work & did some volunteer work, as that sounds better than saying u were unemployed.

I've had a health condition I live with, but I've never told an employer because on the forms here in Australia they only ask if it will affect ur employment, & it doesn't so I don't mention it.

I think sometimes it's just better not to volunteer info but do have a back up story. And I don't think it's any of the employers business what u were doing to be honest, I say this (politely) and I just say I had personal issues, and leave it at that. No-one has ever asked anymore & I have also gotten jobs doing this.

Apply for everything, u will be OK, ask us if u need any help, good luck!

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Specializes in MR/DD.

I agree with the other posts. You could say you were a stay at home mom, homemaker or "caring for an ill family member" .

I have a couple of gaps in my resume as well. I type in the dates and add a simple explanation. For example one of my gaps was after the birth of my 3rd child, I stayed home with her for the first year. So on my resume it states "at home to care for child"

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Regarding your screen name:

If this is your real name, you should find a way to edit your initial post. I don't think you can "undo" what you have previously posted just by changing your screen name as previous postings probably stay with the original name - but perhaps on this site you can. Web browsers (such as google) will find things like this with a simple search of your name...If you can't "edit" I recommend asking Admin on this site if there is a way they can help you. What you have posted could be damaging to your career forever, not just as you are searching for a job now.

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