"Old" New Grad unemployed nurses in California

U.S.A. California

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What are you guys doing to stay up-to-date on your skills and knowledge. I will be attending a volunteer orientation on May 14th to try to get my foot in the door but I am also wondering about any refresher courses. Does anyone know of any or have attended any refresher courses since you haven't found a job? If so, how much are they? I'm in the San Diego area.

I graduated in Dec. '06 and haven't worked, because I chose to be a stay at home mom (kids 4, 2 and 10 mos) Now I am beginning to think about working and it is a tough market so I am putting it aside for a while and focusing on my kids. However, after already committing career suicide I am now trying to begin to gear up for one day actually getting an RN job. My plan is to get a few useful certifications under my belt (NRP, EKG, ACLS) which also help with CEU's to keep my license current (and keep my brain from turning into "mommy mush"). I am applying to volunteer at a local hospital mostly to get out of the house, but also to remind myself what it is like being in a hospital environment and maybe make some useful connections. I am definitely going to take a refresher course before trying to delve back in full force. My husband is a nurse and his manager said that no one is going to even look at my application without a refresher course since I graduated in '06. I have also begun to reread some of my old text books. This is my plan, hope it helps. Good luck!

Check out California School of Health Sciences. They are in OC and LA, but maybe you can do the drive. Their course is 9 days long, but on weekends. I can't remember how much ($600-$900). Ask a nurse educator at a SD hospital to recommend one too.

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