long time away from nursing!

mattsmom81 · May 15, 2004

Didn't mean it to be judgmental at all...just expressing surprise. With the BON's emphasis on 'protecting the public' and the way some go after practicing nurses, I was surprised they would welcome back those on hiatus' for many many years. Without making them jump through a million hoops that is...LOL!!!

I wish all returning nurses much luck...we need you back in the trenches for sure. :)

suzanne4, RN · May 16, 2004

But you must also take into consideration that just because someone has a license, it doesn't mean that a hopital will offer them a job without having some type of refresher course, or a very long orientation. So far the nurses that have posted, have stated what they were going to do or wanting to do. There aren't any posts from nurses that have already returned to the hospital setting after being away for 25 years. That would be interesting to see. Perhaps we should put a post up with that topic.

suzanne4, RN · May 16, 2004

And I forgot to add, I am all for someone going back to the hospital to work, but I just think it may be tough as things have changed so much over the years. We have diseases now that no one even thought of 20 years ago, that can actually kill you. Enough mechanical equipment to keep a full department always busy repairing it, etc. Plus if these "new" nurses do start back, they will be starting with the same schedule hours as many new grads, and that can mean rotating shifts and weekends, etc. Their families may not like that! Nor their bodies the night shifts or working to midnight for pm shifts. Not all bodies can handle that, even the younger ones. But definitely good luck to those that want to give it a try.

:balloons:

Repat · May 16, 2004

Hey, Suzanne4 - I DID start back in the hospital after 15 years (I joked the only thing that was the same was Dulcolax). I found that if your foundations are solid, it really doesn't take that long to get back into it. And, I might add, I started out in the deep end on a telemetry floor. So, it can and is being done. I love being back, and I would recommend to anyone to try if they are feeling like it.

suzanne4, RN · May 16, 2004

You can do it, easily after 15 years, but the nurses that posted above have been out for thirty years. And it is nothing against "older" nurses, as I am one, but if you haven't been used to running up and down halls all day, it can be harder, as well as you may need to rotate shifts, and not everyone can tolerate that. It is also much harder to find a hospital that will employ a nurse who has been away from the bedside for thirty years. And that is what it boils down to.

I graduated from nursing school 26 years ago, so I know exactly where they are coming from!

:balloons:

suzanne4, RN · May 16, 2004

The significant hamper to most of this is if the nurse did not keep her license up. Most states require that the nurse retake the boards if they ahve been away from nursing for a certain number of years.

Would you wnat to study for NCLEX again now? :uhoh21:

moffist · Jun 4, 2004

I was very interested in reading these messages. I am a UK trained nurse who hasn't worked for 20 years and am currently undergoing getting licenced in Michigan USA. I have successfully taken and passed CGFNS exam (but am undergoing licence and training review). My delimma here is the difference in jobs being offered. One hospital here in Grand Rapids has a Preceptor course for newly qualified nurses. This is where they have a 12 week period they are working on the wards but are not rostered. This hospital will take me in with one of these groups. However another hospital (and as it has a surgical hospital which I am keen to work in) says I can only go and work as a Nursing Assistant or Nursing Tech as I have bneen out of nursing so long. They said I could eventually work as an RN BUT my worry here is IF I am working as a Nirsing Assistant HOW? will I get the RN experience I will need? Has anyone heard of RN qualified nurses working as Nursing Assistants and then becoming RNs?As you can imagine the process of geting relicenced here and in the UK has cost a small fortune. It's depressing to think all I can get now is a Nursing Assitant job!!

In the Uk they have special programs for "old nurses" to help them return to the ward successfully.

Repat · Jun 4, 2004

Go for the preceptor group - it will get you used to organizing your time, etc., in a non-threatening way, and it keeps you on the RN track. You will always be able to get into the surgical jobs soon enough. NA-RN only happens when the NA has gone to school for his/her RN, you do not transition. Good luck - my attempts to be credentialed in the UK were frustrating, and I eventually gave up (this was years ago). I admire you for your persistence!!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jun 4, 2004

Definitely go for the preceptor group.

You may get stuck in the NA position forever--it sounds, frankly, like a attempt to get a good nurse at aide's pay, and there is no policy for what exactly you would have to do to prove your worthiness as an RN. If they were interested but concerned, that could easily be remedied by spending time with the nurse educator who can then verify your skills. (That might be a good suggestion.)

Once you are licensed and working here (in the US), you can apply as an RN to the hospital you wanted but which made the poor offer. (Frankly, I'd've been insulted!)

Good luck to you and, "welcome to the United States" in advance.....

Dixiedi · Jun 4, 2004

go for the preceptor group - it will get you used to organizing your time, etc., in a non-threatening way, and it keeps you on the rn track. you will always be able to get into the surgical jobs soon enough. na-rn only happens when the na has gone to school for his/her rn, you do not transition. good luck - my attempts to be credentialed in the uk were frustrating, and i eventually gave up (this was years ago). i admire you for your persistence!!

since you really want to get into surgical nursing i would ask more questions about the na - rn position. i agree it sounds a little odd at first glance but they may have a specific timeline in mind.

during the time you work as a na you are "regaining" many clinical skills you have not practiced for a long time. and if you want to continue refreshening your knowledge you can do so an a na. when you help care for a post-op pt giving them their bath, helping them to the toilet, etc you can still be refreshing your memory as to: (this is probably stated a little sloppy, i went to school over 30 years ago and i remember it was our responsibility as students to know the answers to these before we got onthe floor each day. however, it's been a long time and the memory fades the specifics.)

who specific procedures are performed on within the general population
what specific procedures are meant to correct
when is the decision made to do it
where within the system was the procedure performed

seems to me this hospital may just be giving you the opportunity to put all the pieces together before they toss you in hook, line and sinker.

i would want a specific timeline from them before i started though. they could just leave you hanging for an undetermined period if it's not defined before you start.

nursebren · Jun 4, 2004

I graduated in 1985, worked for a year in psych, and moved overseas where I worked in research at a medical school (my title was Research Associate, not nurse). I returned to the US 15 years later, and was able to reactivate my two licenses and obtain a new one after completing a refresher course (which was great for my self confidence, if nothing else!) and some CEUs (I concentrated on drugs and lab tests, as they are things that have changed ALOT). I have worked on a busy (understatement) telemetry floor for the last two years, and it didn't take me as long to get up to speed as I thought it might. I still find some of the things we are allowed to do amazing (pulling central lines, for one), but you learn and do. I love being back!! Good luck to you - let us know what happens!

How long were you away from nursing? I just moved to ky . I have a louisiana lpn license and I am applying for one in ky. I havent worked for 2 years because I wanted to stay home with my son who is now 18 months. I am ready to go back to work. Do you have any suggestions? I consider myself a good caring nurse but I am nervous to get back to work. I did long term care for several years then I did Mds/careplans for two years. I really want to do hospital work and learn new things. thankyou, nursebren