What do I put on online job app re: last 10 yrs was a stay-at-home-mom?

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 22, 2010

If you truly did absolutely nothing outside your home for 10 years ... then you simply have to live with the consequences of having made that choice. Did you really never venture outside your house and interact with adults in a productive way? (I doubt that.)

Did you teach a Sunday school class? Be active in the PTA? Brownie troop leader? Raise money for the kids' soccer league? etc. Anything? A lot of moms with kids participate in these types of activities and they can be "dressed up" a bit without lying on your resume. They can show your ability to work with adults as part of a team that accomplishes something.

Since it might be a while until you find a job ... it might be a good idea to start getting involved in your community. Perhaps start by supporting your kids' school and extra-curricular activities. That will give you something to list that is current ... and in a few months, it will give you some experience interacting with adults as part of an adult group trying to achieve a goal together.

I suspect that you really did do some things during that 10 years that could be listed -- but if not ... it's time to start doing some of those sorts of things. Resumes are built (one activity at a time), not just written.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

Did you do any baby sitting for other families during this time? If so, they can be your employers. Did you help out at story time at the library or anything like that? Did you do anything at your church? Help with nursery or sunday school? There has to be SOMETHING you did with your kids in 10 years that you can count.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

No matter what you put down, the fact is you didn't work outside of the home.

That's factual--no two ways about it.

I hope you have taken a refresher course and started networking with your old contacts. That's the route to go.

Good luck,

J

SweetOldWorld, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

I stayed home with my children for 8 years, and that's what I wrote. I didn't have any trouble finding employment again after taking a refresher course. Being a stay-at-home mom is nothing to apologize for! Good luck in your job search. It's tough for everyone right now.

I've applied for a bunch of jobs in the last few weeks. I think the 10 year gap in employment (due to being a stay-at-home-mom) is my problem (not to mention no one seems to want new grads). I am going to try addressing this on my next few applications, and putting something in my cover letter and/or resume, so people don't just see "Oh, she didn't work for 10 years before nursing school", and toss my app in the trash.
I googled this, and everything says to put down your volunteer experience, etc. I had 3 kids in 5 years, I was too busy to volunteer! LOL! So, can anyone please give me some suggestions? I applied for a few jobs and didn't put down any work history at all, but still no dice. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

SweetOldWorld, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

No matter what you put down, the fact is you didn't work outside of the home.
That's factual--no two ways about it.
I hope you have taken a refresher course and started networking with your old contacts. That's the route to go.
Good luck,
J

I believe the OP is a new grad.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

I don't see why it should matter if she is a new grad- it isn't like she would have lost skills or anything. I missed that part. Lots of new grads are having problems finding jobs right now. Use whatever jobs you had in the past with the correct dates, and if they are interested, they will ask about the 10 year gap. It certainly isn't anything to be ashamed of. I have taken off time for each child I had (and am taking off time for the child I am about to have!) and it hasn't hurt me. I take only a year off, though. I work per-diem after I return just to keep my foot in a door, and don't have to have to commit to a full-time schedule/child care/etc.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 22, 2010

don't tell me you have not learned about time management and prioritization and conflict management. Kids are great teachers.

LeaRNed · Oct 22, 2010

Include the clinicals that you have done during school. Also, achievements pertaining to school. I wonder if you could write on your resume that for the last ten years you have been a domestic engineer? It is, after all, a full-time job. To be able to run a household and manage to graduate nursing school is not an easy task. Convey that somehow on a resume or during an interview. Good Luck!

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

I put stay at home mother. I did not expand on 'job responsibilities" because its a touchy subject. My friend who has a background in writing researched it for me and its okay to put stay at home mom on a resume to explain the gap but don't put 'full time mother' or get too cutesy in job responsibilities. The SAHM /WOHM battle is an unnecessary but very sensitive battle and you don't want to alienate the person reading it..

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 23, 2010

Nursing is a female-dominated profession. Gaps due to child and family issues are not uncommon, just say you were a stay at home mom.

Tina, RN · Oct 23, 2010

I was recently in a similar situation! I had been home with my children for 7 years. I wanted to return to work per diem, so I took a refresher class. On my applications, I simply wrote that I was a stay at home mother. I didn't have much trouble finding a job, but then again, I was only looking for per diem. Also, I found that once you've been out of work over 5 years, most places will require a refresher class before they even talk to you.

Good luck!