What do I do with my license??

maryen · Nov 16, 2009

Hi- your saturation sounds very similar to mine except that I am older than you! I put my LVN license on inactive status until my youngest was in 1st grade. I live in Ca. and I still had to pay licence fee but did not have to have CE credits. Then when I was ready to became Active-I just called my State board and changed my status, then when my renewal came up I had to complete the required CE hours.

caliotter3 · Nov 17, 2009

If you think you might work, even sporadically (like for immunization clinics or a shift here or there in home health), you might want to consider keeping your license active. Suggest you think about doing immunization clinics or signing on with a home health agency where you only work when you want. That would help with the experience factor when you are ready to return to working full time.

maryen · Nov 17, 2009

Yes- I had worked for 2 years at SF General on the Med/Surg unit. Then I got preggers with my daughter and son and was out of the field for 10 years. Although I did maintain my CPR and took a few other classes of interest to me. I also volunteered for Special Olympics and PTA. When my youngest started Kindy I signed up with a home care agency that served the elderly. The work was well within my scope of practice despite being out of the field. I had my 2 years of Med/Surg experience and passed all their hiring tests. I did have to brush up on my medications and calculations! Then after a few years of doing that part time I signed up with an agency that I loved that also was home care. They closed the home care division that I was working for and I just recently took a private client that I work weekends with and signed up with Maxim for a few week days.(but I do not recommend them!) I have never had any problem finding work but I will say that having those 2 solid years at SF general definately helped as did keeping my skills current.

That being said-staying home with my kids was the best decision I ever made! You will never get that time back and they really do grow so fast. Nursing will always be an option for you-the agency that I was with was more than willing to offer refreshers to me on things I had not done in a while-like straight cath a male and ped. trach care. The good agencys will offer that support and training to you. Do you have any work experience under your belt? What were you doing?

andreasmom02 · Nov 17, 2009

Oh ok, thanks for your reply. I will try to contact my state board soon and see if they can tell me what I need to do. Had you worked any when you decided to go inactive?I haven't worked much, and worry that when I do try to find a job, I won't be able where I don't have much experience & am basically still a new graduate....

andreasmom02 · Nov 18, 2009

I was a beautician before becoming an LPN, but only worked a year at that part time. I didn't like being a beautician, so I became an LPN. I got pregnant as soon as I got my LPN license, lucky me! lol So I couldn't go to work. My CPR card just expired as well, unfortunately... I couldn't find a local CPR class when I needed it. I live in a rural area, and it's hard to find CPR classes when you need them on demand! lol I plan to get it renewed soon though, and I am currently working on my RN degree. I am taking a class towards that this spring. I think I may try working a flu clinic in the near future as well. I think I'll keep my license active if my state permits it. That would just be easier for me I think.... Thanks for your advice.

scoutsmom · Nov 18, 2009

BON ot West Virginia you have to have 12 contact hours a year. go to their web site- it has all that info there.

andreasmom02 · Nov 18, 2009

Thanks, but I live in VA., not W.V.