6 month sabbatical to Travel. Input?

Nurses General Nursing

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  1. How long will it take me to find a job upon coming home?

    • 2
      1-3 Months
    • 2
      3-6 Months
    • 0
      NEVER!
    • 0
      1 YEAR +

4 members have participated

Specializes in PCU, Hospice, Psych, ICU, Case & Disease Mgmt.

Hello Allnurses Family!

A little bit about my situation: I have been a nurse since 2008, LVN for 4 years and RN for 4 years. I have worked in Case mgmt, LTC, PCU, TELE, ICU, private duty, and currently working neuro-surg at a magnet/research hospital in northern California. I make great money and love most of my co-workers, ;) . My girlfriend and I have decided to take a 6 month sabbatical and travel to SE Asia, New Zealand, and Bali. Neither of us will be working while out there. We have been budgeting and saving for about 8 months. We have a nice financial cushion for our trip and for some time when we get home. A colleague of mine did something similar last year and said she had some trouble getting hired upon coming back to the states. She had only been an RN for 2 years prior to her trip, but obtained a travel contract at my hospital. I am hoping with my diverse experience and current position I won't have too much trouble coming back to work in the states.

I am not ruling out volunteering or teaching CPR while out there but haven't found many solid leads out there. I feel it will hinder the freedom of doing this trip in the first place. If anyone has any advice or referrals for good volunteer programs out there, please let me know.

-Thank you all in advance!

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How well liked and known are you at your current hospital? They would be the likely place to start looking for a job.

I imagine you have an updated resume and all the info you would need to get right back into the employment game? Unless you are completely off the grid, you can put in some applications shortly before you return?

Reconsider how much money you have put away to live off once you get home.

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Specializes in PCU, Hospice, Psych, ICU, Case & Disease Mgmt.

Thanks for the fast response. I'd say I am pretty well liked by staff and patients. Definitely giving at least a months notice and leaving on good terms with my director. We have a solid cushion put away for when we get back to the states, including an emergency fund. Have you done anything similar before? @RNPERDIEM

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Not all that similar. I took some time off from work after having a baby and went back per diem. I had not anticipated enough how the financial drop in income would really affect us.

The savings account dwindled quickly and we had to learn to live on a little more than half the income we once had.

Things are much better financially now, but I am more aware of having savings for backup.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

A LOT can happen in 6 months. As long as you can stay afloat financially, you will be fine. But we can't say TODAY how long it will be in 6 or more months before you get hired someplace. How is the unemployment rate in your area? Also, Things are changing; new administration coming in. No one can say for sure. I guess if it were me, I would have enough saved and be mentally prepared to take a year or so to regain employment. If it's less, so much the better.

Also, are you willing to take ANY employment when you return, or do you have specifics you need met? That makes a difference.

Good for you, doing what makes you happy. I wish you well.

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Specializes in PCU, Hospice, Psych, ICU, Case & Disease Mgmt.

@SmilingBlueeyes We have at least a year saved upon coming back. My market is competitive, but I am not going to be super particular for a specific position upon getting back. Our unemployment rate is very low @ 3.4%. I think getting a travel contract would be an easier 'IN". Have you taken sabbatical before?

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No advice just wanted to say I envy you and Good Luck with your travels...I am so ready for the day to just drop everything and hit the road - I've got a few years though - got to get the kids out of college and out of the house...haha.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

What a wonderful opportunity - I am completely jeally.

Expanding on your comment about opportunities to teach CPR in your travel locations... AHA is worldwide & everyone follows the same standards. They have CTC's just about everywhere. You can contact AHA in order to find an appropriate CTC in a location & see if they can use your services during the time you plan on being there. You'll need to provide evidence of your current instructor credentials.

Take pictures. Keep posting here on AN to share your adventures.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
@SmilingBlueeyes We have at least a year saved upon coming back. My market is competitive, but I am not going to be super particular for a specific position upon getting back. Our unemployment rate is very low @ 3.4%. I think getting a travel contract would be an easier 'IN". Have you taken sabbatical before?

No I have not taken a sabbatical before. But in the future I plan to do so to volunteer in places like Haiti, Africa or Vietnam to give nursing care to folks without access. I know I plan to save enough to be afloat for a year. In my area, unemployment rates vary. For my specialty, there is no real deep need for nurses and I may well not get back on in a clinic near me. I have to be willing to take any employment, PRN or otherwise, to get back into the swing. But I will be ready when it happens and be willing to do what it takes.

Again, I am happy for you taking your break. I always say, I want to amass EXPERIENCES not WEALTH in this life. Your doing that is a guarantee to do the same thing. You will look back and be glad you did it. Best of luck to you.

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I'm not a hiring director, but if I were, I would have no problem with you traveling for six months. You will come back a more educated individual, you may have improved insight as to the human condition, and you will be more worldly and knowledgeable about the ways of this planet and the people living on it.

That said, I'll repeat that I'm not a hiring director...

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity. We are human beings before nurses, so it's great that you are doing something to grow as a person; most people only dream of doing something like this.

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Specializes in PCU, Hospice, Psych, ICU, Case & Disease Mgmt.

Thank you for the advice. An opportunity like this only comes around once in a blue moon. Thanks for the AHA advice HouTX. I'll definitely be looking into teaching a cpr course while abroad. I hope my future managers see this sabbatical as a learning opportunity and not a giant vacation.

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All I can say is best of luck. Try to not even think about work while you are away (unless of course you do the AHA CPR gig). When you come back just be flexible and you should be ok.

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