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Thread: Preparing for return to Nursing

  1. #1
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    Preparing for return to Nursing

    I am a Registered Nurse who has been inactive for essentially 5 of the 10 years since I graduated from school and passed my boards. At this moment, I am preparing to return to the profession. I want to tell ya'all, I have found this forum to be extremely helpful early in my venture to return. I have some questions though. How many of you have experienced return to the workforce in nursing after an extended inactive period and how did you break back into it. I am investigating seeking a position essentially as a graduate nurse to catch up on the technological/clinical aspects of return and have on the way the (almost) latest Med/Surg nursing text from Mosby as well as software to give me some virtual experiences. My past career experiences are in LTC/Skilled care in the LTC setting. I am seeking experience in the acute care setting as a springboard to home health. Any tips, pointers or encouragement deeply appreciated.

  2. #2
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    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    I think you're doing a really good job reading and brushing up on the latest. I don't have any experience being away but hope you find what you're looking for.

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    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    Welcome back Glad to see some nurses coming back in vs leaving. I'd check around for Nursing Refresher courses as well. You can articles on returning and find a list of courses here:

    http://www.nursefriendly.com/refresher (see below my signature).

    There are Nursing Malpractice case studies here:
    http://www.nursingcasestudy.com

    You may also find this page of interest:
    Nurse's Views of The Nursing Profession
    http://www.nursefriendly.com/views

    Hope that helps.

    Andrew Lopez, RN
    http://www.4nursing.com

    National Nursing Refresher Course Providers:

    North Dakota Board of Nursing:"This course is accepted by most State Boards of Nursing for relicensure. RN & LPN REFRESHER COURSES are based on the Adult Learning Principle of self-motivated learning. Students proceed at their own pace, with one year to complete the course. The course is divided into two main components: 100 hours of theory (RN) 60 hours of theory (LPN) plus 100 hours of clinical practicum. Nursing Practice Activities are included in each module of the Learner Guide to augment the theory learning. Support is available from the CNE-Net staff and the clinical practicum is completed at a facility near the student with an approved registered nurse preceptor. Successful completion requires passing a final exam with a minimum of 75%. The exam is administered by a proctor, whom the student chooses."
    For additional information or to enroll in the Refresher Course e-mail marna@ndna.org or call (701) 223-7105
    http://www.ndna.org/rn.htm

    Calling Nurses Back to the Field Ramona Salotti, RN, BS, Nursingspectrum.com:"We came from throughout the Philadelphia area, 30 women who shared a common bond: We all were inactive registered nurses. Our reasons for leaving the profession were similar, and familiar — family commitments, professional frustrations, better opportunities in other fields. But the nursing shortage had inspired many of us to reconsider our commitment, and the conference "Re-Discover Nursing," hosted by NurseSponsorsTM, brought us together."
    http://community.nursingspectrum.com...e.cfm?AID=9742

    Freshen Up with a Nurse Refresher Course Valerie Kordowski, RN, BSN:"Are you tired of saying you "used to be a nurse?" If so, your first step may be to take a nurse refresher course. It can be just what you need to put your nursing career back on track. Whether your current nursing license is inactive or lapsed, your state board of nursing requires you to take a nurse refresher course to return to active status, and any nurse can take a refresher course. "The backgrounds and situations represented by RNs who've taken our course are incredibly varied," says Virginia Moore, RNC, MSN, WHNP, office of lifelong learning coordinator for the Back to the Future: Renewing RNs course at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, TN. "The youngest person to take our course was 30 years old [and] the most mature was 75. Some have active licenses but have not been involved in bedside care in the hospital setting for several years. Others have inactive or lapsed licenses due to involvement in other careers, home-making responsibilities, or retirement."
    http://community.nursingspectrum.com....cfm?AID=11689

    Hospital Mentors and College Bring RNs Back to the Workforce, Carol Bartolotti, RN, C, MPA:"You've been out of clinical nursing for at least 15 years, but you'd like to return to work on a medical/surgical unit. Where do you go first? You've heard about refresher courses and know that they might be your answer. You head to your local hospital and investigate the possibilities. If you came to Nyack Hospital in Nyack, NY, you'd find that we've formed a partnership with Rockland County's only community college and developed a refresher course for RNs. This course, designed to familiarize inactive RNs with the current acute care environment, begins with a four-hour classroom/skills laboratory orientation that covers topics such as infection control and fire safety, followed by five eight-hour clinical days. We have course instructors and assigned hospital staff as clinical mentors."
    http://community.nursingspectrum.com...e.cfm?AID=8170

    By State:
    Arizona Nurse Refresher Courses:


    NCE228 Registered Nurse Refresher Course, MCC Nursing Department, Mesa Community College:"The next theory course for the online nurse refresher will start spring 2004. Go to my Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page about this course. Hopefully, the answer to your question will be there. If not, then you need to ask me directly. I am Terri Crews and have been teaching nursing at MCC for over 15 years. The best way to reach me is through the email at crews@mail.mc.maricopa.edu and I will do my best to get back to you in a timely manner. After your questions are answered, the first thing that you will need to do is determine if a distance learning course is for you. Go to the MCC page on Distance Learning and scroll through the topics there, especially the questions on who should take an internet class and computer needs. The distance learning faculty have an orientation to distance learning which should be helpful."
    1833 West Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202 USA
    PHONE: 480 461 7000 (main)
    http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~crews/information.htm

    Colorado Nurse Refresher Courses:

    The RN Refresher Course, Colorado:"Are you an inactive registered nurse or an active registered nurse, but you feel out of practice with today's fast-paced health care environment? If so, then the new RN Refresher Course can bring you up to date with today's technology and standards. The RN Refresher course is an innovative course developed and directed by Aleda J. Ahlgren, BSN, ME, CNAA. Because of the need to maintain standards in a rapidly changing technological world, this course was developed to keep registered nurses knowledgeable about current nursing techniques and practices. The RN Refresher Course will cover many objectives. In this course you will:"
    Lifelong Learning Digest Fall/Winter 1999-2000 Call (719)262-3364 to Register Today!
    http://www.uccs.edu/~conted/Nursing.html

    Delaware Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Nursing Refresher Course, University of Delaware:"Designed to upgrade basic competence of registered nurses who have not been in active practice and nurses who need to reinstate their Delaware licenses. This ten-session course includes lectures, seminars, and demonstrations. Independent study and clinical experience (four days, arranged by mutual agreement between students and instructor) also are required. Participants who complete the program are awarded certification from the College of Health and Nursing Sciences. Both lectures and clinical experience are required to successfully complete the course. Enrollment is limited to ten students."
    University of Delaware - Newark Campus Map
    Newark, DE
    302-831-2000
    If you have questions please contact Ruth Hurst by e-mail at continuing-health@udel.edu or by phone at 302/831-8837.
    http://www.continuingstudies.udel.ed...efresher.shtml

    Florida Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Health Science Continuing Education Refresher Nurse Update (Theory & Clinical)- Broward County Community College:"This course is designed for the Registered Nurse (RN) who has been away from practice for three (3) or more years, or those currently working in areas other than the medical-surgical environment. The material presented will allow the returning nurse to practice: patient care skills, the administration of medication and physical assessment in the lab setting prior to hospital clinicals. This will give an opportunity for the nurse to become aware of the changes that have occurred and that are necessary for providing effective nursing care in a variety of acute care clinical situations, so that the nurse will be able to move with confidence into a staff nurse orientation and return to practice. Clinical lab will be provided in a local hospital(s) where the returning RN will be exposed to various experiences working with an RN preceptor."
    http://www.broward.edu/locations/chs...nurserefce.jsp

    Indiana Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Community's Nurse Refresher Course, Indiana:"Community's Nurse Refresher Course is designed to help RNs and LPNs who have not practiced hospital nursing for five years or more update their knowledge and skills so they can return to active nursing employment. To maximize the experience, the curriculum consists of both classroom instruction and clinical observations. The fee for the course is $400. Enrollment for the course is limited. The seven week course is held twice a year, once in February and also in October."
    Community Health Network
    1500 North Ritter Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219
    (317) 355-1411
    http://ecommunity.com/nursing/refresher_course.asp

    New Jersey Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Center for Nursing and Health Careers, Registered Nurse Refresher Courses, New Jersey Hospital Association:"Refresher courses are designed to help registered nurses return to clinical practice with confidence in their ability to function competently in a patient-care setting."
    http://www.njha.com/healthrecruitment/rncourse.aspx

    Atlantic City Medical Center
    1925 Pacific Avenue
    Atlantic City, NJ 08401
    (609) 344-4081
    http://www.atlanticare.org/acmc/
    Bergen Community College
    400 Paramus Rd.
    Paramus, NJ 07652
    (201) 447-7164
    http://www.bergen.edu/

    Brookdale Community College
    765 Newman Springs Road
    Lincroft, NJ 07738
    (732) 224-2345
    http://www.brookdale.cc.nj.us/

    County College of Morris
    214 Center Grove Road
    Randolph, NJ 07869
    (888) 226-8001
    http://www.ccm.edu/

    Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center School of Nursing
    Park Ave. & Randolph Rd.
    Plainfield, NJ 07061
    (908) 668-2400
    http://www.muhlenbergschools.org/

    Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing
    340A E. Evesham Ave. Magnolia, NJ 08049
    856-782-2103 or 856-757-3996
    pbicknell@lourdesnet.org
    http://www.ololnursing.com/default.html

    Rutgers College of Nursing
    Center for Professional Development
    (973) 353-5895
    DAY, EVENING and SATURDAY PROGRAMS
    http://nursing.rutgers.edu/cpd/default.asp

    Virtua Health
    Helene Fuld School of Nursing Camden County College
    P.O. Box 1669, College Drive Blackwood, NJ 08012
    (856) 374-0100
    http://www.virtua.org/


    Brookdale Community College, New Jersey:"Update your skills to re-enter a workplace with a growing demand for nurses and increased career opportunities A human systems body approach will focus on the latest diagnostic, surgical and medical interventions and treatments. Topics will include: the latest medications, such as antiretrovirals for HIV, antibiotic and antineoplastic drugs; nursing care of patients with PIC lines, chest tubes, and closed system suctions; assessment and the nursing process; management and leadership; nursing issues and trends. The course includes theory, nursing lab practice and clinical experience."
    To register or obtain further information, phone (732) 224-2380 or E-mail program coordinator Susan Craig at scraig@brookdale.cc.nj.us
    http://www.brookdalecc.edu/content.php?ID=214

    North Carolina Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Wilmington, North Carolina, AHEC:"Self-paced RN Refresher Program. Are you a nurse who has not worked in more than five years? Have you been working, but not in a clinical capacity? Are you interested in returning to nursing? If the answer is yes, Coastal AHEC and the Independent Study Division of UNC-Chapel Hill have a nurse refresher course designed just for YOU! Contact Gail Imhof for more information."
    Director Gail Imhof, R.N., D.Soc.Sc. Phone (910) 343.0161 ex 271 E-mail imhofg@med.unc.edu
    http://www.med.unc.edu/coahec/nursing.htm

    North Dakota Nurse Refresher Courses:

    North Dakota Board of Nursing:"This course is accepted by most State Boards of Nursing for relicensure. RN & LPN REFRESHER COURSES are based on the Adult Learning Principle of self-motivated learning. Students proceed at their own pace, with one year to complete the course. The course is divided into two main components: 100 hours of theory (RN) 60 hours of theory (LPN) plus 100 hours of clinical practicum. Nursing Practice Activities are included in each module of the Learner Guide to augment the theory learning. Support is available from the CNE-Net staff and the clinical practicum is completed at a facility near the student with an approved registered nurse preceptor. Successful completion requires passing a final exam with a minimum of 75%. The exam is administered by a proctor, whom the student chooses."
    For additional information or to enroll in the Refresher Course e-mail marna@ndna.org or call (701) 223-7105
    http://www.ndna.org/rn.htm

    New Mexico Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Nurse Refresher Course, Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute:"The purpose of the Nurse Refresher Course is to offer high quality instruction and information to the nurse who wishes to re-enter nursing practice. These courses provide qualified, licensed nurses to assist the community in meeting its needs."
    Cathy Demo, RN, Chair, Nurse Refresher
    525 Buena Vista SE Albuquerque, NM 87106
    505 224-5208 (office) 505 224-4120 (fax)
    505 224-4111 (Health Occupations Dept) Send email to: cdemo@tvi.edu
    http://planet.tvi.edu/healthoccupati...resh/index.htm

    South Dakota Nursing Refresher Courses:

    Independent Study Refresher Course For Licensed Practical Nurses:"This self study refresher course was developed to provide an opportunity for inactive licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to meet requirements of a refresher course for relicensure. This self study refresher course was developed to provide an opportunity for inactive licensed practical nurses (LPN/LVN) to update their nursing knowledge and skills prior to relicensure. This course is offered over the Internet and may be completed in one's home community and at a pace and time which best meets individual needs. The course is designed to reacquaint the inactive LPN with the basic nursing knowledge and skills which will allow movement with confidence into an orientation program in a health care setting, then back into nursing practice."
    South Dakota State University, College of Nursing Office of Continuing Nursing Education
    Box 2275 Brookings, SD 57007-0098
    Telephone (605) 688-5745 Fax (605) 688-6679 Tammy Herold@sdstate.edu
    http://learn.sdstate.edu/nursing/LPN.html

    Independent Study Refresher Course for Registered Nurses:"This self-study refresher course was developed to help inactive nurses review and update their nursing knowledge and skills, thus allowing them to move with confidence into a nurse orientation program and return to practice. This course is offered over the Internet and may be completed in one's home community and at a pace and time which best meets individual needs."
    South Dakota State University, College of Nursing Office of Continuing Nursing Education
    SDSU College of Nursing
    Box 2275 Brookings, SD 57007-0098
    Telephone (888) 216-9806 Fax (605) 688-6679 Tammy Herold@sdstate.edu
    http://learn.sdstate.edu/nursing/RN.html

    Tennessee Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Tennessee State University:"Purpose of Refresher Course Offer an individualized, self-paced refresher course for inactive RN's or RN's wanting to update skills."
    School of Nursing, Tennessee State University, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Campus Box 9590, Nashville, TN 37209, or call (615) 963-5251, YSTRINGFIELD@TNSTATE.EDU
    http://www.tnstate.edu/nurs/

    Texas Nurse Refresher Courses:

    Professional Healthcare Education Service Inc.:"We are state of Texas and Louisana approved Nurse Remediation and Nurse Refresher providers. Professional Healthcare Education Service, Inc. (PHES) focuses on educational needs for healthcare professionals and the specific healthcare related needs of businesses and organizations. Nurses needing a refresher or remediation course, doctor's offices requesting CPR or OSHA training, daycare centers with special training needs for their staff, or a nursing home/hospital requesting competency skill training, Professional Healthcare Education Service, Inc. provides a full spectrum of educational services."
    Contact_person(s): Yvette Cheeks R.N.
    5090 Richmond Ave. #158 Houston Texas 77056
    Phone number: 713-788-0620 Fax number: 281-208-0873, E-Mail: phes@alltel.net
    http://www.phesonline.com


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Related:
    Help me get my nursing license back from 12-step nuts:"I am truly in a bind. Approximately 13 years ago, the Board of Nursing revoked my license for diversion of drugs. I hit rock bottom and decided on my own that this was over forever. I have been abstinent of narcotics since that time. I started a consulting business which has been fairly successful. I deal only with law firms. Last year, discussions with several law firms re medical/legal consulting prompted me to attempt to obtain my license back so that I could expand to include this new area."
    http://www.peele.net/faq/nursing.html

    How you can reenter the job market:"As an OR nurse, Marie Torlincasi, RN, was making good money. But when she started her family, she quit her job. Although she knew it might be hard to get back into the profession later, she was willing to take her chances."
    http://www.nurseweek.com/features/98-3/reenter.html

  4. #4

    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    I am an LPN, havfe been out of the vield sionce 1998. am seriously wanting to return but am having problems.
    License, CPR current. but no call backs on applications. had a call back from a staffing agncy, but no further calls from them. I am looking to move away from Mississippi, and looked into Georgia,and would have to acquire licnese by endorsement.Their requirements for licensure by endorsement is that the applicant have worked a minimum of 500 hours within the poast 5 years or take a refresher course approved by the boasrd. Tjhere are NO refresher courses offered in Mississippi. none I have found, at least. the community college told me that I can't sit in on the LPN cl;asses, I'd have to apply and be admitted, gee, I graduated nearlky 30yrago, reapply as a newbie?? don't think so. any suggestions?
    Ms is a mamber of the comopact union but Georgia is not a mamber, so licensure by endorsement is how I'd have to go.
    help?

  5. #5
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    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    Have you done any job searches on the internet?

  6. #6
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    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    I don't think moving to another state for a nursing job will help if you are having trouble where you are now.

    No matter where you go, they'll want recent experience.

    Your best bet, is to hunt around for hospitals that hire new graduates and give extended orientation or take a refresher course. The list listed about from North Dakota is good in all 50 states.

    As long as you have a license in good standing, thanks to the nursing shortage most people can get jobs if they're flexible about when they'll work.

    If working six months to year on night shift is what it takes to get some current experience, I'd do that for the doors it would open later on down the road.

    Andrew Lopez, RN
    http://www.4nursing.com

  7. #7
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    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    Quote Originally Posted by cathiel1994 View Post
    I am a Registered Nurse who has been inactive for essentially 5 of the 10 years since I graduated from school and passed my boards. At this moment, I am preparing to return to the profession. I want to tell ya'all, I have found this forum to be extremely helpful early in my venture to return. I have some questions though. How many of you have experienced return to the workforce in nursing after an extended inactive period and how did you break back into it. I am investigating seeking a position essentially as a graduate nurse to catch up on the technological/clinical aspects of return and have on the way the (almost) latest Med/Surg nursing text from Mosby as well as software to give me some virtual experiences. My past career experiences are in LTC/Skilled care in the LTC setting. I am seeking experience in the acute care setting as a springboard to home health. Any tips, pointers or encouragement deeply appreciated.
    So...what happened - did you take a refresher course?

  8. #8

    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    Quote Originally Posted by shadow View Post
    So...what happened - did you take a refresher course?
    It is amazing that you can dig this out after so many years.

  9. #9

    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    I am an educator with Professional Healthcare Education Service Inc. We are a Texas Board of Nursing approved Nurse Refresher/Re-Entry and Foreign Nurse Transition Program. We offer classes in several Texas cities as well as by Correspondence. We have clinicals at multiple sites. We can assist you with navigating your way back in to the profession, who has to take a course, what your options and choices are and the best way to return to active practice, confident and competent. For those in need of financial assistance we are approved providers with The Texas Worksource and DARS. Please call PHES for more info toll free 877-313-7437, e-mail: phes@windstream.net, or visit our website at: Welcome to PHES Online! Your online source for Nursing & Remediation Courses!. We have helped hundreds of nurses since we began in 2001.

  10. #10
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    Re: Preparing for return to Nursing

    Original post over 3 years old; last post 1 year ago. Post closed at this time.

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