How to Progress Your Nursing Career
16 Jul, 2024
What Are the Benefits of Returning to Nursing?
14 Aug, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- Why nurses might choose to leave and then return to nursing.
- How nurses can return to nursing after a long break.
- What the benefits of returning to nursing are.
- Where the latest nursing jobs are and how to apply for them.
Are you a nurse returning to the profession after a career break? Stepping back in your nursing role might feel daunting, but there is no need to feel anxious.
In our latest blog, we’re exploring the benefits of returning to nursing and how agency nursing can be a great way to explore short term contracts!
Why might a nurse choose to leave and then return to nursing?
Like with any profession, there are a number of reasons why a nurse might make the decision to take a temporary career break.
A nurse’s personal circumstances might play a role in them deciding to take a breather from the profession. Whether it’s a major life event such as starting a family or having to care for an ailing loved one, a nurse's personal life might be the reason they decide to step away from their responsibilities.
The desire to seek new challenges and pursue an alternative career path might also influence a nurse’s decision to leave nursing. A personal passion or having the skills to excel in another field can be a great way for a nurse to explore their options outside of nursing.
Alternatively, a nurse may decide to take a career break if they are suffering from nurse burnout, which can be caused by the demands of such a high pressure job and feeling stressed at work.
Burnout doesn’t just affect the wellbeing of healthcare professionals, it can also detrimentally affect patient care and safety by hindering a nurse's ability to excel in their role. For this reason, it might be a sensible choice for a nurse experiencing burnout to step away from their duties for a period of time.
How can nurses return to nursing after a long break?
Returning to nursing, after a long break, can be challenging due to the demanding nature of the profession. However, with plenty of planning and preparation, it is entirely possible.
For a seamless return to nursing, we advise for nurses to:
- Assess their skills and knowledge.
- Conduct mock interviews.
- Renew licences and certifications.
- Be open minded to agency nursing.
Assess their skills and knowledge
Before returning to the role, it is advised that nurses assess their skills and knowledge in order to highlight any areas for improvement.
If a nurse has been absent from work for a while, it is possible that there will have been advancements and changes within the field since they last practised the profession. By identifying areas where skills and knowledge can be refreshed, a nurse will make themselves more desirable to a hiring manager.
Many healthcare facilities offer refresher courses, designed to assist nurses who are returning to the profession after an extended hiatus. Such courses give nurses the opportunity to brush up on their clinical experience and enhance their industry knowledge.
Conduct mock interviews
When returning to nursing after an extended break, a nurse might find it useful to practise their interview skills. We advise conducting mock interviews with a loved one and preparing answers for potential interview questions ahead of time.
A nurse who has taken a career break is likely to be asked about this in a job interview, so preparing to discuss the reasons for the break is essential. Nurses returning to work should think about how their break has helped them within their career and what they learnt during their time off that will benefit them within their profession.
For example, if a nurse has completed any voluntary work during their career break, this will showcase that they are a compassionate and dedicated individual.
Renew licences and certifications
In order for a nurse to return to work after a hiatus, their nursing licence and any speciality certifications must be up to date. Should a nurses licence have lapsed during a career break, they may need to renew this by completing additional requirements such as continuing education credits.
If a nurse is no longer on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register, their registration may need to be renewed in order for them to practise. The NMC requires people on their register to apply for revalidation every three years.
Be open minded to agency nursing
Agency nursing can be an excellent way to find short term contracts for a nurse returning to the profession. Contracting with a specialist nursing agency such as Spencer Clarke Group enables nurses to network and develop a variety of skills that they may not have utilised during a career break.
Our specialist nursing recruiters can help nurses discover what they are looking for in their next contract - whether this be more flexibility, a higher salary or even better training opportunities. We even offer referral benefits to agency nurses and healthcare professionals who recommend us to their colleagues.
If you’re a nurse returning to the profession and you’re searching for a new contract, check out the latest nursing jobs available or upload your CV to get the ball rolling.
What are the benefits of returning to nursing?
There’s no questioning the fact that nursing is one of the most rewarding career choices a person can pursue. However, as well as the emotional pay-off of nursing, there are also many practical benefits to returning to the role too.
The high demand for nurses across the UK healthcare system provides a high level of job security for those looking to re-enter the profession. Staff shortages within the NHS and private sector also means there are a number of opportunities across a diverse range of specialities and settings, giving nurses more choice over the type of work they will pursue.
For nurses returning to the profession, the NHS offers tailored Return to Practice Programmes for them to update their skills and experience a smooth transition back into the profession. This means that professionals don’t need to worry about falling behind or lacking on their skills if they have taken some time away from the profession.
Nursing also offers a competitive salary so those who may not have worked within the profession for a period of time have the opportunity for financial stability. Opportunities for overtime and additional shifts can also boost earnings. If you’re a nurse looking for contract work offering a competitive salary, get in touch with nursing recruitment specialist Kaylah Henderson to find out how she could help today!
Returning to nursing can also reignite a person’s passion for the profession, providing nurses with a fresh perspective and renewed energy towards their career. The happier a person feels within their role, the more motivation they will have for their daily duties and this is essential for nurses to provide the best possible care to their patients.
Nursing jobs
If you’re searching for your next interim nursing job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit nurses?
As nursing recruitment specialists, we support NHS Trusts, local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
We can supply nurses across all specialisms of nursing including adult, mental health, children, and learning difficulties.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with our nursing specialist, Kaylah Henderson on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
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