Sabbatical from work...i.e. traveling

[lovemenursing]

My husband and I are thinking about taking some time off of work to do some traveling in a few years. But I'm unsure of how much time it would be for me to still be a safe nurse when I get back or an employer to hire me. Anyone else done this?

My background (by the time we do it) would be about 5 years of PICU experience in a tertiary center and we would like to take 6 months off to travel through Europe, Himalayas, South Pacific, etc etc.

I've thought about signing up with a travel company before we left so that I could have all that sorted in case I don't get a full-time job right away...but I was reading up on some of the contracts in a few of the hospitals I'd like to work at again and for the pay scale, it's said that if you have a break in clinical experience, your years may not be all counted or at all, up to the discretion of HR. In this sort of world, I'm sure that the hospital would lean towards fewer years, and if I'm desperate for a job, then of course I would take it (My husband is a math teacher so it wouldn't be too hard for him to get a job again, just my own).

Thoughts?

[Good Morning, Gil]

Go for it! Life's too short. If you can't find a job when you get back, then just keep traveling lol. Seriously, though, 6 months off is not that much time in the big scheme of things...you'll get back to it and barely feel like you've left nursing at all, especially if you're an experienced nurse of 5 years. If you left after a year once you're really learning the PICU, then that would be different. You should be fine, and if it makes you feel better, just do some nursing work PRN while you're traveling. Maybe volunteer at a needy clinic overseas or something for a few weeks, would be rewarding, and you can add it to the resume to help you get a job when you get back. Maybe your old job would even take you back, especially if you're leaving on good terms. Or do you not want your old job back? lol

[poopprincess]

Can I come? That sounds awesome! :)

[merlee]

Just do it!!! Nurses (and others) take time off for a variety of reasons. Mostly child care, or elderly care, or schooling, but travel is okay, too.

Enjoy yourself when the time comes, and don't worry about finding a new job when you come home.

[luvazsun, RN]

Actually, I would worry about getting a job when you get home. I have been out of hospital nursing for 10 years, but have been in outpatient settings the past 3. All applications I have submitted for hospital positions reply saying I don't have recent experience (within the last 3months) so they are not interested. Gee thanks - my previous 20 year experience doesn't count, huh?

[Simply Complicated]

Any of the times I tried to get a job, they were usually concerned if you had been gone for over a year. I was pregnant, was really sick, then did home care for a while which in total was less than 1 year gone from acute care. I had no problem getting rehired. You could also sign on with a local agency to get back in, they would probably hire you no problem if it was just 6 months off.