While nursing is a rewarding profession in Singapore, some nurses prefer to take extended breaks for a variety of reasons. Some choose to start families, while others pursue different career paths or interests before returning to nursing after a six-month or longer break. However, creating outstanding application materials may not be your only task when you return to nursing. To get back on track, you may need to re-acquaint yourself with the job market and hiring process, create a new nursing network, or take a nursing refresher course.
Big Choice, Big Reward
Making the decision to return to nursing after a break is a big one. It is possible to make an advantageous and beneficial life change with careful consideration and preparation. Nurses of all experience levels can find a place in this rewarding profession if they are prepared, patient, and confident in their abilities.
Examine the nursing job market
If you've been in the nursing profession for any length of time, you've most likely heard about the current nursing shortage. However, this does not imply that making a return to nursing practice will be easy. Nursing shortages do not exist uniformly across the country, so opportunities in your area may be scarce or plentiful.
Keep Your Nursing License Current
Making sure your nursing license is active and in good standing is a top priority for nurses who want to return to practice. If their nursing license is inactive, nurses should go to the Singapore Board of Nursing website to find out what they need to do to reactivate it.
If additional continuing education is required, look for an accredited continuing education provider for quality activities. When looking for continuing education, nurses should consider their area of expertise and current knowledge gaps, as well as courses relevant to the area in which they hope to practice.
Consider taking a "return to nursing" class.
The good news is that you are not the only nurse who has had to leave the profession. Check with the Singapore Board of Nursing to see if you need to take a course before you can resume working as a nurse. You can find programs and classes near you or online that will help you prepare to return to work. You can also request a list of approved nursing refresher courses from the Singapore Board of Nursing.
The Power of Networking
If you left on good terms with your previous employer, contacting your former manager to see if they are hiring is a good way to get back into the nursing profession. You can also search the corporate website for job listings and inquire about specific opportunities.
You don't have to go straight to asking for a job; simply ask your former coworkers, bosses, and nursing friends for coffee dates to catch up. Then, if an opportunity arises on its own, you can express your interest. In any industry, referrals are a reliable way to get hired, and your contacts may be aware of opportunities before they become public.
The most difficult challenge for nurses re-entering the workforce is that healthcare practices change frequently, leaving them with a knowledge gap. An employer understands that if a nurse has been out of practice for a long time, they may be out of touch with current evidence-based practice and will need additional training. However, if a nurse is persistent or takes a job that can lead to new opportunities, they can be fully capable of re-entering the workforce after a break.
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