How does leave of absence work? (not talking about paid time off)

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So I just joined a rock band.

The band wants to eventually go on tours and what not, after doing a year or 2 of local gigs.

If that does happen, I don't think I want to give up on being a nurse because of it. The lead vocalist told me that work places give leave of absence.

Not talking about paid time off. But like, I give my boss a couple months notice regarding me going away for a month or 2. Then the boss hire a temp for that 2 months while I'm gone. I won't get paid or have benefits while I'm away, but I'll still have my job when I come back from tour.

Do most hospitals allow that?

aaaand... I'm talking to a VA hospital right now. VA hospitals most likely don't do that do they?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

With a plethora of nurses out there most facilities WILL NOT do this...however, if you leave on good terms there should be no reason that you could not return and get a position. You MIGHT be able to turn your position into a per-diem one but if you cannot fulfill the obligations of the position they may not let you.

I know of several nurses who go south for the winter and return in the spring. They do "quit", so to speak, but they know a position is awaiting for them in the summer.

staablish yourself as a GOOD employee and try to negotiate return BEFORE you leave.

But you might just have to leave and hope for the best.

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I would probably talk about switching to per diem, PROVIDING that you could get enough per diem shifts to make it work when you need to be working more hours when you are not working with the band.

Also, look at what per diem entails, as some do not have time requirements, others do ie: you are obligated to work one weekend a month, one holiday, that type of thing.

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What they said. No, most hospitals would not do this for you....if any. There's no incentive for them to go through the trouble and expense of filling in your job unless you are someone who has already proved himself nearly irreplaceable to the facility, after years of working there.

And no, VA hospitals will NOT do this for you.

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Some unsolicited advice from an old rocker who has been there and done that -- just a few things to think about before you ditch your nursing career for rock 'n' roll fame and fortune. I've played with bands you've actually heard of, and still get royalty checks for stuff I did years ago. But those checks wouldn't cover lunch at a Chinese buffet today.

-Most bands break up within two years over any one of a thousand little things, but mainly over "artistic differences" and "personality conflicts". Even the Beatles broke up over such things.

-Most bands dream of touring and living the "rock star life", but perhaps only one in a thousand ever makes it past the Holiday Inn Airport lounge circuit. If they even make it out of the garage. More likely you'll be playing wedding receptions and bar mitzvahs, so memorize all the lyrics to Hava Nagila, and learn to play it on an accordion. Oh, and there's that Chicken Dance thing too.

-If you do eventually wind up "on tour", you'll be the warm-up act for the warm-up act that plays a 45-minute set before the band they really came to see comes out. And trust me, your band barely gets paid enough to cover expenses. Living on the tour bus may seem glamorous, but it's more like being stuck in a rolling prison cell with five guys who have questionable hygiene habits. Oh, and don't be offended when the drummer brings a "date" back to the bus after the gig. It's part of paying your dues.

-If the band you've joined has at least two members with Grammy nominations, you're probably OK. If not, don't count on this gig for more than the free beers you get when you play Bubba's Bar-B-Q Lounge out on Highway 27 on Saturday night.

-When you do come back to earth, potential employers are going to look at you like you've grown a third eye and never be quite sure if you'll stick around long enough to become useful or run off to join the circus when it comes to town.

Don't get me wrong. Playing music was a lot of fun, but it wasn't the "grown-up job" for me. If you love doing it, then give it all you've got and don't look back. As with everything in this world, your mileage may vary.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Some unsolicited advice from an old rocker who has been there and done that -- just a few things to think about before you ditch your nursing career for rock 'n' roll fame and fortune. I've played with bands you've actually heard of, and still get royalty checks for stuff I did years ago. But those checks wouldn't cover lunch at a Chinese buffet today.

-Most bands break up within two years over any one of a thousand little things, but mainly over "artistic differences" and "personality conflicts". Even the Beatles broke up over such things.

-Most bands dream of touring and living the "rock star life", but perhaps only one in a thousand ever makes it past the Holiday Inn Airport lounge circuit. If they even make it out of the garage. More likely you'll be playing wedding receptions and bar mitzvahs, so memorize all the lyrics to Hava Nagila, and learn to play it on an accordion. Oh, and there's that Chicken Dance thing too.

-If you do eventually wind up "on tour", you'll be the warm-up act for the warm-up act that plays a 45-minute set before the band they really came to see comes out. And trust me, your band barely gets paid enough to cover expenses. Living on the tour bus may seem glamorous, but it's more like being stuck in a rolling prison cell with five guys who have questionable hygiene habits. Oh, and don't be offended when the drummer brings a "date" back to the bus after the gig. It's part of paying your dues.

-If the band you've joined has at least two members with Grammy nominations, you're probably OK. If not, don't count on this gig for more than the free beers you get when you play Bubba's Bar-B-Q Lounge out on Highway 27 on Saturday night.

-When you do come back to earth, potential employers are going to look at you like you've grown a third eye and never be quite sure if you'll stick around long enough to become useful or run off to join the circus when it comes to town.

Don't get me wrong. Playing music was a lot of fun, but it wasn't the "grown-up job" for me. If you love doing it, then give it all you've got and don't look back. As with everything in this world, your mileage may vary.

WORD.

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Hiring a temp is expensive. Unless you are truly a "star" at work, most places won't go out of their way like that.

Per diem work, like the others said is a way to hang on to your best source of income, keep your skills current and keep you in the nursing job market.

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Thanks for all your inputs. Yeah I think switching to per diem if/when the time comes is probably the best bet. I do not consider rocking out as a main gig/full time job. But it's something I'd love to concurrently with nursing.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

What a great opportunity - That's why I love my tribe (nursing) so many really talented people.

Actually, I think you CAN combine music with your nursing career -- there are a lot of precedents. Here's a link to a really great band.. that just happens to be 'local' (Doctor Doctor Band - Classic Rock Band Mount Pleasant, TX). I know some nurses who are members of the Texas Medical Center orchestra also (Texas Medical Center Orchestra, Houston Orchestra, Houston Health Professionals, Houston Medical Musicians, TMCO, Houston Medical Orchestra, Gran Fondo Texas TMCO, Doctors Orchestra of Houston, Houston Music Fellowship, Houston Music Charities)

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