Will no job history hurt me?

bear14 · Jul 24, 2012

I'm in the same boat. I havent had a job in 4 years and I cant get a job because of my husbands schedule and no childcare. I want to put as much effort into school as I can and balance my kids and working is just not possible. But it scares me that with no experience I wont be able to get a job. Also, every nurse that I talked to said to get a job in a hospital as as a PCT so you can have experience before you graduate.

Stephalump · Jul 24, 2012

I'm in the same boat. I havent had a job in 4 years and I cant get a job because of my husbands schedule and no childcare. I want to put as much effort into school as I can and balance my kids and working is just not possible. But it scares me that with no experience I wont be able to get a job. Also, every nurse that I talked to said to get a job in a hospital as as a PCT so you can have experience before you graduate.

I'm the same way! I've been a stay at home mom since I graduated high school, no work at all, and it's really unlikely that I'll be working during nursing school. My husband works weird, unpredictable hours and it's always made it close to impossible for me to and go to school as well, unless we pay someone else to watch our kids for 18 hours a day. No thanks.

I think volunteer work is a great filler when you don't have a job history. Is it enough? I don't know, but if it's the best you can do, I'm sure it'll work out. I'm applying to a few hospitals to be a Sitter. They work PRN, so even if I only work 2 days a month, I'll still be considered employed. Something to think about!

parrotluvr · Jul 24, 2012

Well, it's good to know I'm not alone. lol

It's really frustrating how much SAHM's (and dad's) are penalized when they try to re-enter the job market. It's not like we spent our time sitting on our hind ends and drinking beer all day.

I would like to try and do an internship or something at some point and I've thought about trying for a STNA position. But even a lot of those job listings require 1-2 years continuous recent work history. Sigh....but I want to wait and see how this semester goes. I've been out so long and the last time I was in school, my kids were very young and there was no way I could have handled a job on top of it. I think it might be different this time around because my kids are much older and independent. It may be easier to squeeze in a part time job without feeling like my kids lost their mom. Plus the extra income would be nice!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jul 24, 2012

When I hire I am looking for licensure and background check and drug screen. After that, it is the interview. I do not feel there is another job like nursing so why include that?

Goobstress · Jul 24, 2012

Ladies don't worry about having no job history at all. You are going into nursing and not competing for a regular job. I was hired into my specialty against LVN's with at least 5 years of experience and no work history at all. Your nursing program will be taking you to several hospital job fairs prior to graduating where you will be able to meet and greet with department managers for an initial on the spot interview. Being that there seems to be a hiring freeze with some hospitals, there are plenty of options out there if you are willing to sacrifice a few years for experience.

grownuprosie · Jul 24, 2012

When I hire I am looking for licensure and background check and drug screen. After that, it is the interview. I do not feel there is another job like nursing so why include that?

I would be interested to hear what other hiring personell have to say about this. Work history can tell quite a story about a person regardless of the field. I am surprised to hear that it means zero to someone who does hiring.