If you’re a nurse who has had an employment gap in your work history, you may need to provide an explanation to potential employers. Writing a letter to explain your employment gap can help you clarify your circumstances and show your commitment to your career. In this article, we’ll provide examples of employment gap explanation letter samples for nurses that you can use as a guide when writing your own.
When writing an employment gap explanation letter, it’s important to be concise and clear. In this article, we’ll provide several examples of letters that nurses can use to explain their employment gap. These examples are meant to provide guidance and can be edited as needed to fit your specific circumstances.
If you’re a nurse who has experienced an employment gap, you may be worried about how this will affect your job prospects. However, employers are often understanding of gaps in employment, especially if you can provide a clear explanation of the circumstances. In your employment gap explanation letter, you’ll want to provide a brief explanation of why you were out of work and what you did during that time to maintain your skills and knowledge.
For example, you may have taken time off work to care for a sick family member or to start a family yourself. During that time, you may have taken online courses or attended workshops to keep up with the latest developments in your field. By explaining these circumstances and highlighting what you did during your employment gap, you can help potential employers understand your situation.
Remember, your employment gap explanation letter should be concise and to the point. You don’t need to provide too much detail, but you do need to provide enough information to help employers understand your situation.
Examples
Employment Gap Due to Family Obligations
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to explain the employment gap in my work history. During this time, I took a leave of absence to care for a sick family member. While I was not working, I took online courses and attended workshops to stay up to date on the latest developments in the nursing field. I am now ready to return to work and am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and knowledge to your organization.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Employment Gap Due to Maternity Leave
Dear HR Manager,
I am writing to explain the gap in my employment history. I took a break from work to start a family and cared for my newborn during this time. I also attended several nursing conferences and took courses to maintain my skills and knowledge. I am excited to return to work and am eager to bring my experience and passion to your organization.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Samantha Smith
Employment Gap Due to Personal Health Issues
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to explain the gap in my employment history. During this time, I was dealing with personal health issues that required time off work. I took this time to focus on my recovery and attended therapy sessions to improve my overall wellbeing. I am now fully recovered and am eager to return to work as a nurse.
Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
John Doe
Employment Gap Due to Pursuing Further Education
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to explain the gap in my employment history. During this time, I took a break from work to pursue further education in the nursing field. I completed several courses and obtained additional certifications to further my knowledge and skills. I am now ready to apply these skills in a nursing role and am excited about the opportunity to work with your organization.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
Employment Gap Due to Relocation
Dear HR Director,
I am writing to explain the gap in my employment history. During this time, I moved to a new city to be closer to family. I took the time to settle into my new home and community while also volunteering as a nurse at a local clinic. I am excited about the opportunity to return to work as a nurse and am eager to bring my skills and experience to your organization.
Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
Mark Johnson
Employment Gap Due to Career Change
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to explain the gap in my employment history. During this time, I took a break from nursing to explore other career paths. However, I realized that my passion lies in nursing and returned to school to obtain my nursing degree. I am now eager to apply my skills and experience in a nursing role and am excited about the opportunity to work with your organization.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Lisa Brown
Tips for Writing an Employment Gap Explanation Letter
Writing an employment gap explanation letter can be daunting, but it’s an important step in securing a nursing position. Here are a few tips to help you write an effective letter:
- Be honest and transparent about your situation
- Focus on what you did during your employment gap to maintain your skills and knowledge
- Keep your letter concise and to the point
- Proofread your letter for spelling and grammatical errors
- Consider having a friend or mentor review your letter before you submit it
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in my employment gap explanation letter?
In your employment gap explanation letter, you should include a brief explanation of why you were out of work and what you did during that time to maintain your skills and knowledge. You may also want to mention any relevant volunteer work or other activities that you participated in during your employment gap.
How long should my employment gap explanation letter be?
Your employment gap explanation letter should be concise and to the point. Aim for 40-50 sentences in total, including your greeting, letter body, and complimentary close.
What should I say in the greeting of my employment gap explanation letter?
Your greeting should be professional and friendly. Use the recipient’s name and title, if possible. For example, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear HR Director.”
What should I say in the body of my employment gap explanation letter?
In the body of your letter, you should provide a brief explanation of why you were out of work and what you did during that time to maintain your skills and knowledge. You may also want to mention any relevant volunteer work or other activities that you participated in during your employment gap. Make sure to keep your letter concise and to the point.
What should I say in the complimentary close of my employment gap explanation letter?
Your complimentary close should be professional and friendly. Use phrases such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” Be sure to include your name and contact information.
Should I provide documentation to support my employment gap explanation?
It’s always a good idea to have documentation to support your employment gap explanation, especially if it’s related to a medical issue or family obligation. However, you may not need to provide this documentation unless specifically requested by the employer.
Conclusion
Explaining an employment gap can be nerve-wracking, but writing a clear and concise explanation letter can help you secure a nursing position. Use the examples and tips in this article to help you craft an effective letter that highlights your skills, experience, and commitment to your career.