Returning to nursing after a long absence (5-year)

Nurses Career Support

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Hello everyone.

I need your advice!!!

Before I ask you some questions, let me tell you little bit about myself:

I graduated from the nursing school (BSN/one of top nursing schools) in 2009.

After then, I only worked as a bedside nurse for 1 year.

Since I was an international student, I could work only for 1 year.

After then, I did an online FNP program which I have to do an 1-year clinical rotation sometime soon.

I am also currently in a PhD program in my home country.

The reason why I have been in schools for many years is that I was not able to get a job.

Even though I really want to work as a nurse, either the U.S. or my home country did not give a chance to work as a nurse. (Visa issue in the U.S. & Age/License issues in my home country)

Ok, anyhow, luckily I'm going to get a Green Card in this year.

Definitely, I'm going to move back to the U.S. and work as a nurse.

Since I haven't been working as a bedside nurse for many years, I'm very concerned about getting a job.

Would getting a job in a situation like me be very tough, right?

I heard that even new-graduates can't get a job.

One more, since I have been working the FNP degree/PhD degree, which I haven't finished, should I add this information in the educational experience section when I apply for a job?

I feel like 'nurse recruiters/HR folks would not hire a nurse with Master/PhD (even uncompleted) degree' to a RN position?!!

Looking forward to hearing your thought.

Thank you in advance =)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Clinical experience is even more important for ANPs - because they are expected to perform at an advanced level with little or no supervision. My organization utilizes a lot of NPs in various types of settings, but the minimal qualification is 1 year of experience as an NP - or advanced RN role in that particular specialty. Hopefully, you'll get lucky with your NP residency & be able to land a job with that organization.

FWIW, in major metro areas, there are lots of Staff RNs with graduate degrees. In fact, some specialty units have begun to recruit for "MSN preferred" staff nurses.

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Hi! Great news for having you back in states.

There seems a lot going on but in my humble opinion, this will make your recruiter confused for a bit. Although you have had a year of experience, it's been 5years-correct? Then, you can use the PhD as an alternative explanation. However, the PhD will somehow make them wonder if you are over qualified or underqualified for the job. As you said, you didn't get to finish it then, it's up to the recruiter and you to come up with terms.

In short; it's confusing and may raise some questions but overall, it still depends on how you present yourself. Hope you get a nursing job soon!

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Thank you for all your answers and wishes.

Since I still have to wait a few more months to get a Green Card, at this point I can't proactively start searching/applying for a job yet.

When the time comes, hope all things work out =)

Thank you again for your cheering and gentle words =)

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