The latest episode of The A100 podcast features Lisa Sands of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing alongside show co-hosts, OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher and Keaveny Hewitt. Broadcast live from the ASAE annual conference, Lisa shared her story of taking a break from the work force and reentering it stronger than ever.  
Feeling burnt out at her job, Lisa decided it was time for a reset. Her initial plan was to take a few months off, but not feeling ready to go back after a few months, she found the months turning into years. Lisa found her age and the gap in her resume made the job search particularly challenging. After eight years in “the hinterlands” she made the move to re-enter the workforce and secured a full-time position. 
Despite the difficulties she encountered, Lisa's career break shaped her into a stronger, more self-reflective individual. She experienced low moments, but her determination to overcome them pushed her forward. She realized that sometimes, to move forward, one must clear the clutter from their mind. Her career break was a mental transformation.
One of the most significant challenges during a career break is maintaining and improving one's skill set. Lisa's approach was to embrace opportunities to learn and grow. While temping, she acquired new skills, including software proficiency, editing, and association management. She also explored various roles at the University of Chicago, which allowed her to diversify her skillset, including contract management and meeting coordination.
Reentering the workforce wasn't without its challenges, particularly for someone who felt like a "bad interviewee." Lisa addressed this issue by focusing on what she truly wanted in a job. She recognized that COVID-19 had created space for job gaps, but she worked on improving her interviewing skills, nonetheless.
Lisa offers invaluable advice to those contemplating a career break. First and foremost, have a plan in place. She acknowledges that not being in the right mental space to create a plan can be challenging. Also, she emphasizes the significance of reaching out to mentors for guidance and support.
Beyond her personal journey, Lisa Sands is also an advocate for change in the healthcare industry. She discusses the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows nurses to practice across state borders with ease. This compact has become increasingly crucial, especially for travel nurses and telehealth professionals, in a time when high-quality medical professionals are in high demand.
The Nurse Licensure Compact success is based on education, especially to dispel misconceptions and spread awareness about vital healthcare initiatives. Her involvement in conferences and educational initiatives aims to clear up misunderstandings surrounding the Nurse Licensure Compact, ensuring that these crucial measures are adopted nationwide.
Lisa’s journey from a career break to reentering the workforce offers inspiration to anyone facing similar challenges. Her story serves as a testament to the idea that with the right mindset and support, one can overcome obstacles and come back even stronger.
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