What happens when...................

You're assuming you wont get work, have limited your employment options due to family, grad school and job preferences, and are asking us to predict the future. IMHO it sounds like you've painted yourself into a corner. Sorry if I misunderstand the question.

What happens when 1-5 years from now i still have no solid nursing experience? Anyone being through this, or going through this?

A little background on my particular situation..............

I got my license in for CA in August, have to be here for my husband's job. I have had 3 different nursing jobs mostly seasonal and temp jobs, but nothing stable and consistent. I can get an caregiver job i want, but i would really like a nursing one. I am mostly volunteering now, as i got pregnant three months ago. I have about a year and a half left in grad school which will give me a CNS-Gerentology. I have plenty of LTC experience as CNA and all my clinicals will be at an LTC.

Anyone gone years without working, anyone not worked at all since getting their license? what do you do when you go from nw grad to 'old' new grad? Any tips and stories welcomed.

The person of most concern is the one who has not had ANY nursing experience for a number of years. You already have had CNA experience and have ongoing nursing experience; I don't think they are going to fault you for the "seasonal" etc jobs, but I think if there was a huge long gap (or more than one) they might be hesitant or question it.

My stepmom's sister went 10 years w/o nursing. She took a short refresher course and landed a good hospital nursing job, she likes it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

You're assuming you wont get work, have limited your employment options due to family, grad school and job preferences, and are asking us to predict the future. IMHO it sounds like you've painted yourself into a corner. Sorry if I misunderstand the question.

Prediction? No. Similar experiences? Yes. I should have added a "might" in the question.

Here's my story.....

I graduated from nursing school in one state and had applied for nursing license in that state. The day after I graduated my husband and I moved to another state. I was unable to work as a graduate nurse in the new state and it was almost 6 months before I was able to take my test and get my license transfered to the state I was then living in.

By the time I was licensed in the state I was living in, I was 8 months pregnant. I had my baby and she was very colicy and cried for about the first 2 years of her life! I was afraid to leave her with anyone for fear they would harm her (because it took all I could do not to hurt her and I was her mother!!!)!

I did start teaching breastfeeding classes one night a month when my daughter was a year old. After she was 2, I taught Childbirth classes one night a week. I did that until she was 6, then worked part time as a WIC nurse for 6 months. Since then, I have always only worked part time. Worked in L&D and mother/baby. Took 2 years off after 4 years (to be with my MIL while she was sick) and then landed a job as a Hospice nurse that I did for 2 months. Quit that before I found a job in the ER where I am currently working.

Starting floor nursing after all the years away was difficult, but I had several nurses that really took me under their wing and helped me learn (re-learn) all the skills that I needed.

My husband has been amazed that I am able to get jobs so easily with so little experience. I guess I have fabulous interview skills :) I do not try to hide my gaps.

Someday, I hope to work full time...becuase I really LOVE nursing, but for now part-time is enough to stay in touch with my skills and still be present with my family.

I would think with your past experiences and your continuing education you should be fine.

Good luck to you in your future.