Would you do this

Also Ive had a huge amount of sick leave and surgery. But everything is okay in that department. However I have to use my current employer as a reference. She will say that ive had 3 informal talks with her about sick leave. How do I approach this in an interview. Be honest just tell them about the sick leave and why ?

None months can be a very short amount of time or a very long amount of time. It's relative to the amount of experience you already have, IMO.
Any time off for medical reasons should be explained as a past and resolved circumstance if it comes up, at all.

Thanks for replying. 15 years experience. But i'm having a hard time at work and thought a break might be good.

What you're describing is pretty much my job in informatics. This 9 month opportunity might open up something else for you in informatics or in nursing education. I say, go for it.

You won't lose your touch in 9 months. And the spin is that you thought you wanted nursing informatics, and now you either love it or you discovered you really love acute care.

Also, informal counseling is not the same thing as on your record. Make sure it was informal.

Go for it. I agree with what the other posters have advised. I would add- how about doing something perdiem, say once a month, in an acute care setting? That would keep your toe in the water for when you need to make your decision at the end of the nine month gig. Best of luck to you

Agree with Golden. 9 months is nothing and the experience that you will get from it will look good on future resumes. Best of luck.

You could be looking at a whole new aspect of your career- go for it!