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Question

I’m an early 60’s nurse who built a second career in clinical research. Over the last 10 years my career path in research took a series of hits gir real life reasons and there are gaps in my employment. The reasons for the gaps are real life (elderly parents, industry M/A reorganization). 4 years ago when I couldn’t find another research role, I returned to bedside nursing to pay the bills. Now I’m more than ready to return to the research world and expect to work for another 10 years. Any ideas how best to proceed and hit this head on in interviews? Thank you! (I should add I’ve stated current on the industry changes in regulations, etc. )

Anonymous · Answer

In big pharma these days,  almost everyone has been restructured out or had the scare at least once. Bring up what you did during the breaks to stay current, be honest about the reasons for your breaks -restructure and life.  Emphasize your experience - be prepared with 'star stories' about your accomplishments. And drop in 'in the next 10 years I plan to...' with career goals a couple of times. This redefines your age in the mind of the interviewer. 
Most of all, use your network! You will do better getting your CV into the right people via a contact. 
Keep your chin up and keep us posted on your progress!

Gina Diamante · Answer

I spent eleven years out of  news due to 'real life reasons.' Like you, I spent much of that time in related work where I could use my news skills, but I wanted to get back into news. I had to just let the employer know I was still connected to news, and that I'd learned some skills that could be (and have been) helpful in a newsroom. I've been back in news for 12 years now.

You've been working in what seems to me to be a related field. How would your experience as a bedside nurse help translate to better care in a research environment? It occurs to me, as a cancer patient, that you might well have a more holistic outlook on what patients need than someone who hadn't been tending to patients. You might understand my needs better than the nurse who'd never spent a 12-hour shift taking care of someone, and isn't the bottom line of medical research to meet a patient's need to get well?

AND you've been working to keep up on developments! So that's something you can talk about in a cover letter and in an interview. 'I see your organization  did XYZ in this clinical trial. I have cared for patients with that particular illness, and it's exciting to see the progress in treatment.' Or something along those lines.

Don't look at your response to real life circumstances as a disadvantage. After all, isn't research just a search for answers to real life problems?

Miranda Wilcox · Answer

Your nursing experience broadens your perspective and makes you uniquely qualified. Create a narrative that presents you that way.

Often the things that we worry so much about don't concern others as much as we fear. Be confident in your qualification and experience. And remind yourself that a prospective employer will be lucky to get you on their team.

LEANNE TOBIAS · Answer

For cover letter or interviews:
   -My background combines clinical research and bedside nursing.  
    -As a clinical researcher, key accomplishments/strengths have been: 
    -I have stayed current on industry regs, including (list several)
    -My nursing experience with patients is/has been an advantage in clinical research because (list).

Anonymous · Answer

Dear Kelina Hospital.....inappropriate and rude !!!... Really ???

Sami MacKay · Answer

Thank you ladies both so much! That perspective helps me tailor cover letters better ?

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