[2MagnoliaTrees]

I was just referred to this site from a nurse on another board I frequent. I only worked 7 months as an LPN in a nursing home. That job got me my job as a Special Populations paraeducator (Special Ed. Aide). I have been out of nursing for 17 years and when I checked about going back in I was told I needed to take a 6 month refresher course. Just wondering if any of you have faced this situation. If I retire in 8 years as I plan I may consider going back to nursing part time. Was just curious if any body else had gone thru a refresher course. God Bless.

[NannaNurse]

Don't know about the course, but I sure think it's a very needed requirement! I worked with a nurse who had been out of nursing for 17 years....selling insurance. She came back w/o attending any refresher courses...OMG This woman was a time-bomb. She had lost all of her skills and wasn't 'up' with any information. She worked at our facility (the administrator wanted to give her a chance...plus was desperate for an evening nurse). She lasted about 3 months before she almost killed a patient. She had 4 liable suits against her when she left.
I think you'll enjoy the refresher. The value will be appreciated.
Good luck to you and welcome back!

[AJACKT33Z]

In CA. , I heard that you have to start all over again; now is the license "inactive" (renewed & ceu's taken every 2 yrs) or is it 4? Or is it expired? big difference!!

[2MagnoliaTrees]

In other words I passed my state boards, got my job at the nursing home, worked 7 months and got my other non-nursing job and haven't done any nursing since. When I went to renew my license like I did every year since receiving it they asked how many nursing hours I had put in. This was about 2-3 years down the road. When I honestly had to reply none within that past year (the student I was hired for had passed away) they sent me a letter telling me that since I hadn't done any nursing in those 2-3 years I would have to put my license on inactive and take the refresher course to go back into the field. I've had this school job for 17 years now and I did check about the refresher course once. It wasn't offered every year and when it was offered it could be hours away from my home so I never went to take it. So that's where I stand now. I would have to quit my full time job to take the 6 month refresher course and redo most of my clinicals. Granted I would do it if I was going back into nursing full time because it's been so long and there have been numerous changes since then. As far as that nurse not taking the refresher course she must not have been truthful on her license renewal. Glad to hear from some of you all.

[ChristyM]

In Louisiana LPN board of nursing requires a refresher course if you have not worked for 4 yrs as a nurse.

I was out of nursing for 5 yrs. I took the refresher course and am very glad I did.So much had changed in those 5 yrs. The course was very helpful but I still felt like a "new nurse" when I got my first job after being away for so long.

Take the course you won't regret it!!!

[2MagnoliaTrees]

Nice to hear from another Louisiana girl. It just isn't easy finding a refresher course close to me. They are offered around on a rotating basis. After only 4 years huh. I guess it is best though to have the very latest knowledge and techniques. Thanks and God Bless.

[rennilou]

2MagnoliaTrees, in Texas, if you have not done any nursing work at all with the past 2 years, your nursing license is put on inactive status. If you renew at the next renewal date and still have not done any nursing, the license remains on inactive status but you are required to take a refresher course to start nursing again and get your license back to active status. If you do not renew your license each time, then the license becomes expired and you have six months to get it back. If you do not, the license is permanently expired and you have to go through the whole circus all over again.
You could always consider doing private duty for families where you can utilize your past training as a nurse but don't work under a nursing license per say. This will limit what you can do but it will allow you to be in contact with people and make your own hours.
As for that other nurse in the previous link who left with liable charges against her, goodness! Hey, I had nurses who had worked full time for several years and still had no idea how to do a dressing change, convert meds, or assess patients correctly. CRAZY!!!

[CD1256]

Originally Posted by rennilou

2MagnoliaTrees, in Texas, if you have not done any nursing work at all with the past 2 years, your nursing license is put on inactive status. If you renew at the next renewal date and still have not done any nursing, the license remains on inactive status but you are required to take a refresher course to start nursing again and get your license back to active status. If you do not renew your license each time, then the license becomes expired and you have six months to get it back. If you do not, the license is permanently expired and you have to go through the whole circus all over again.
You could always consider doing private duty for families where you can utilize your past training as a nurse but don't work under a nursing license per say. This will limit what you can do but it will allow you to be in contact with people and make your own hours.
As for that other nurse in the previous link who left with liable charges against her, goodness! Hey, I had nurses who had worked full time for several years and still had no idea how to do a dressing change, convert meds, or assess patients correctly. CRAZY!!!

I have not worked in 12 years I think I need a refresher myself !

[CD1256]

IN
missouri you dont need a refresher,but I DO!!!!

[CD1256]

Need help finding a LPN refresher in NW Missouri
only one I know of is about 300 miles from me
need a job!!!!!