Any nurses return to work after being off raising kids for several years?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Aug 6, 2009

have not done it - however, I have precepted nurses in similar situations. Ask for (EXPECT!) a good orientation period and preceptor. Think of yourself as a new grad. Your learning curve will be much shorter than a new grads and soon you will be in the groove.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2009

I was out for 4 years then again for 8 years. Both times I sought out a RN review course which had clinical time. While in PA I had found a great refresher that was 12 weeks long with on-hands clinical time. Most places now want someone with "recent" bedside experience and that's what makes it difficult in returning. The other option is to seek non-bedside alternatives such as md office, dialysis, etc. I was also surprised how much I really hadnt forgotten :)

oramar · Aug 6, 2009

I was out for 4 years then again for 8 years. Both times I sought out a RN review course which had clinical time. While in PA I had found a great refresher that was 12 weeks long with on-hands clinical time. Most places now want someone with "recent" bedside experience and that's what makes it difficult in returning. The other option is to seek non-bedside alternatives such as md office, dialysis, etc. I was also surprised how much I really hadnt forgotten :)

I would advise a refresher course but it does not matter what I think. The question is what do the employers want? I think in this job market they are going to insist on refresher course. By the way good luck and by all means do it now if you are going to do it at all.

coffee4metech · Aug 6, 2009

GO for it !!!!!!

Moogie · Aug 6, 2009

Yes. I was away from nursing for fourteen years to be a SAHM and went back when my first marriage fell apart. I took a refresher course from South Dakota State University. It was a self-study program, not online. I had to have someone act as proctor whenever I took my written exams; the proctor, who was my pastor, kept the tests in a locked file, signed off that I didn't cheat, and mailed them to SDSU. After I passed the written tests, I did an 80-hour, self-designed (but approved by SDSU) clinical practicum on a busy med-surg floor. By the end of my clinical, I was taking a full patient load and using the computerized charting system.

I have had back and neck problems (and fibromyalgia, which, at the time, was undiagnosed) so I did not go back to a med-surg position. I started a parish nurse program at my church, did that for four years, and went back to graduate school. I also taught nursing for a couple of years. I got remarried, moved, took a job in LTC, and now am getting ready to go back to school, get some more education and get back into nursing education.

I probably would not work med-surg again because of the FM. I also felt a little bit rusty when I went into LTC but it the skills came back very quickly.

My advice: take a good refresher course, start reading nursing magazines to catch up on current clinical issues, and be confident in yourself. You can do it! :up:

luvmykidz · Aug 6, 2009

Thanks for the replies! The hospitals around here will give me a three month orientation period/refresher course when I'm hired so I'm not worried about that part. I'm just concerned whether after being off work all these years how hard it will be to work on a floor all day and then come home and take care of the kids and home. I know women do it all the time but my husband isn't thrilled with me wanting to do this because he also works shift work and weekends so it will be harder for our family at times than it is now. I just don't want to go through all the trouble only to regret it. I do want to get back into nursing and it just seems all the positions posted around here for dr offices, etc want nurses with recent experience which I don't have but the hospitals will hire because I've already checked into it. The last time I worked at the hospital I didn't have kids to worry about and now I do so that's why I'm worried if I can handle it. Thanks for any advice!