Took 1 year off after child diagnosed with special needs... Want a RN Job?

1 Hello fellow nurses,

I would really love some advise. I live in WA and graduated from nursing school in 2009. At the time of graduation I was 9 months pregnant and already had a 3 year old. Right after I gave birth I found out my oldest was diagnosed with special needs and I had no choice but to stay home and care for him and my new baby. He needed round the clock care and many, many trips to different providers.

He is now doing very well and I have full time support for him now (which took a year) and I really want to start my career. The problem is now the recruiters won't give me the time of day. I had one interview and no job offers. I feel stuck! I volunteer at the american red cross and I volunteer with special needs children. I feel like I made the right choice for my family but the wrong choice for my career.

How do I get the managers to take a leap of faith that I still have the skills to be a great nurse? What more can I do to make them see that I love being a nurse and I am very talented?

Good advise is really appreciated!
This may have nothing to do with your time off and everything to do with the tight job situation for new grads in general. Keep volunteering. Look for jobs outside the traditional hospital setting. Network wherever you can.You might consider the folks you have met through your child's situation. Even if the doctor's offices or clinics you have been to are not hiring, someone might be willing to put in a good word for you or make you aware of an opening they have heard about.Doing what's right for your family is the most important thing. You honored your primary responsibility and planted seeds of goodness. Your children will benefit now and far into the future. And you will know in your heart that you did what you needed to do.Don't give up hope.

My Heart goes out to you! Your children are very lucky to have you and it is good to hear your oldest is doing well and like the previous RN said, you did the right thing for your family. I understand your situation. I found out I was pregnant as soon as I graduated nursing school. But the main thing is you have your degree. and you are every bit as valuable as a "fresh" new grad. Can you try emailing a clinical instructor or a contact at one of the hospitals you had clinicals at? It seems to help if you have an "in" with a real person. Also, trying non traditional settings is a great idea, maybe try skilled nursing home (it could get overwhelming, but you will learn time management and keep up skills)

You made the right decision because ultimately your family ALWAYS has to come first. YOu will find something, start going to different facilities and network. Try to find jobs through other nurses.....did you try LTC?

Try my hospital, we are hiring.Anyway, I was in a similar situation. I took 4 1/2 yrs off to be with my daughter. It was tough. Obviously not a new grad, but it took me three months to land a job.Good luck and keep the faith.

Wow. Tough situation, and my heart goes out. Keep volunteering, and please use those on your resume. Another thought that comes to mind is that you might try agencies for persons with disabilities, or children's medical services/societies. Often they need home visit RNs, and your experience with your child as well as the community served may swing in your favor.Good luck to you, Mama...props for doing the best, hardest thing.T

Have you started looking into SNFs? I am from Oregon, but the only place to offer me a job was in Vancouver WA, and that was a SNF. I went basically door to door from SNF to LTC facilittes filling out job applications.

I am in a similar situation (parts)I found out I was pregnant right at the end of nursing school (Last FEB). I graduated but never got a job, (who was going to hire me pregnant).Now baby is nearly 5 months old and I am ready to work! IT IS SO HARD TO FIND A JOB!! Everyone wants you to have 1 year or more experience!! How can I get it if no one will give me a chace?? I finally just got a homecare job. My ideal job? No way. But it is a start! Maybe look into home care.

Thank you so much for your kind words. It really helps to have other moms/nurses validate that the right decision was made. I've tried looking into home health care, but it seems they are not interested in training a new grad. I also spent money to have a professional look at my resume and cover letter (which looks great) But I keep getting told that more than a year off does not look good. Most hospitals have a use it or lose mentality. Would a refresher course be helpful? What classes can I take to look like I'm keeping my skills up?

Why not get your ACLS and work toward getting some CEU ? We now have to have them. Maybe that would help?

tokmom,Thank you so much for your advise. Do you now if St. Elizabeth only considers applicants who have done a practicum at that facility? I will defiantly check them out and again I really appreciate your kind words.