Should I take a year off after graduating?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 30, 2017

You will have a great deal of difficulty finding employment if you do this.

it boils down to: What do you want to be, an English teacher or a nurse?

llg, PhD, RN · May 30, 2017

meanmaryjean said it all. People who don't work as a nurse soon after graduation lose many of the nursing skills they learned in school because those skills do not get "solidified" with actual practice. That puts such people at a huge disadvantage in the job market. Teaching English will not hone or solidify your nursing skills.

Also, not practicing nursing will make it look as though you are not committed to a nursing career. That will also make you a "high risk new hire" in the eyes of the people hiring nurses.

Don't do it. Your priority as a new grad nurse should be to solidify your nursing skills and transition from student nurse to professional nurses. You can add other activities to your life later. You can teach English or do other mission work later ... but you only get 1 shot at establishing a foundation for your nursing career.

elkpark · May 30, 2017

^^ What they said ... Don't do it.

Chyna2 · May 30, 2017

Get at least one year's experience in nursing, on a medical-surgical unit, then go teach English.

You are young. You'll be fine. Live your life so you'll have no regrets.

elkpark · May 30, 2017

Perhaps it would make more sense to go teach English abroad before nursing school.

katyq82 · May 31, 2017

In some fields this might be looked at differently, but it seems like in the Nursing field this would be a huge disadvantage for starting your career. I would suggest either studying abroad while you are still in college if you want to travel or waiting until a few years into your nursing career. Another option to plan for down the road is getting involved in medical missions volunteer work overseas. It would be much more in line with your career path.

debiklages, MSN, RN · Jun 1, 2017

If you want to take a year off after completing your nursing degree why don't you volunteer?

In addition to the adventure that comes with traveling abroad and the excitement of discovering new cultures, volunteer nursing overseas not only helps develop a career, but also increases a healthcare worker's sense of compassion, self-worth and skills. Many aspiring student nurses choose to make the trip to a developing or impoverished country before entering a traditional hospital setting. Seasoned nurses also return to volunteer their services whenever they can. International volunteer opportunities are a beneficial experience not only for the nurses, but also for all of the lives and communities they touch.

RainMom · Jun 1, 2017

If you want to take a year off after completing your nursing degree why don't you volunteer?
In addition to the adventure that comes with traveling abroad and the excitement of discovering new cultures, volunteer nursing overseas not only helps develop a career, but also increases a healthcare worker's sense of compassion, self-worth and skills. Many aspiring student nurses choose to make the trip to a developing or impoverished country before entering a traditional hospital setting. Seasoned nurses also return to volunteer their services whenever they can. International volunteer opportunities are a beneficial experience not only for the nurses, but also for all of the lives and communities they touch.

I believe we currently have a thread from a new RN who did exactly this. Now, one yr later with no job experience, she is having trouble getting hired.

Renzo13 · Jun 2, 2017

I say after you complete nursing school hold down a position for at least a year or two on a med-surg floor just to get that transition from student to nurse down with using your skills and getting your feet wet (this is a fu and exciting time) then after that go live your life and explore. I myslef after graduating worked for about 2.5 years then stopped nursing to just explore and did a little science teaching, went back to music a little and just enjoying things that made me happy. I returned back to nursing and school and now back on the move through the nursing world, im 26 now I say live life, be smart and have no reason to say "what if I" good luck to you

Semper_Gumby · Jun 2, 2017

I wouldn't. It can be hard enough to find a job as a fresh new grad, much less as an old new grad with no nursing experience! What they say about solidifying nursing skills is absolutely true. Could you take some time off while still in college (before starting nursing school) to teach overseas (I know there are programs that don't require a bachelor's, or at least there used to be), or can you take a summer and do it (I have seen programs where you teach at something like a summer camp)?

Otherwise I would strongly recommend finishing your nursing degree and obtaining a license, then working a couple of years so you have a solid foundation to fall back on before going overseas, whether to teach English, do volunteer nursing work, or whatever. I fully understand the allure of moving overseas but sometimes it's not just a matter of "the right place" but also "the right time." Best of luck.

Career Columnist / Author · Jun 5, 2017

Like everyone said-it would seriously affect your career to not work as a nurse right after you graduate. New grad status is golden as it qualifies you for entry level residency positions. But poof! Like Cinderella, it expires- at one year out.

It is a big commitment- best wishes on your decision.

Should I take a year off after graduating?

Should I take the year off after graduation?