Need Some Advice...finding a job after long term rehab

Nurses Recovery

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Here's my story...I've been in recovery for a little over a year now. I graduated from LPN school in August of 2012. I was in my first week of orientation at a long term care facility when I was arrested for a controlled substance DUI and subsequently drug tested and fired from my job.

I actually managed to land a job at another long term care facility shortly after that, but I was still a mess and ended up quitting it after only 3 days of orientation. Long story short I ended up in long term rehab (14 months). I graduated from the rehab this past December and am now looking for a nursing job (I still have my license free and clear). The only "nursing experience" I have is having worked as CNA for two years prior to obtaining my LPN license.

I am looking for any advice as to how go about explaining the long period of time without employment, and I guess just how to go about looking for/obtaining a job. I'm at a little bit of a loss right now. Thanks in advance.

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You know there is nothing wrong with saying after school I took some time off to take care of self and family and leave it at that.

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I agree, I actually had a nurse manager say that a hiatus from nursing makes hiring managers suspicious. She said always say you took care of a family member (even if that family member was you).

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I say I was a stay at home mom- I do have a mark on my license so I also have to explain that, but on initial paperwork I list homemaker as an accounting for my time.

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Thank to those of you who have responded. Just by way of an update, the day after I posted this I actually landed an interview at a detox/rehab center in my area. I met with the nurse manager and told him my story. He was incredibly sympathetic and told me that they have a few nurses who work there that are in recovery. He offered my a job on a PRN basis. It was very encouraging.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

Does anyone have any idea how to explain working in a non-nursing job for a few years? My license is now unencumbered but when it was on probation, I was forced to work at a clerical job to survive.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Catmom :paw:

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