JustKaren2

Latest Activity

1. RN - return to work after 15 years!

   JustKaren2 replied to OnEaglesWings's topic in General Nursing

   OnEaglesWings, Our scenarios are almost exactly the same. I was gone from nursing for 15 years and had 10 years experience before leaving the field. I took a refresher program (also had to retake boards) and have been back to work as an RN for a li...

2. Refresher course starts tomorrow

   JustKaren2 replied to kintexas's topic in Retired

   Thanks, Sally...you're the best! When I look back on this thread, it brings back how frightened I was (I had forgotten). For those of you considering returning, I hope you find encouragement in my story. My life has totally changed since I entere...

3. Refresher course starts tomorrow

   JustKaren2 replied to kintexas's topic in Retired

   perbd: Thanks for asking :) I am actually doing very well and I have come a long way. Perhaps I still have to look up things and ask more questions then the 'seasoned' nurses, I could still use a little more work on my organization skills, and th...

4. Returning to bedside nursing after 9 years!

   JustKaren2 replied to Tina, RN's topic in General Nursing

   Hi Tina, I can relate to everything you are saying (I was away from the bedside for 18 years!!! ) Your skills WILL come back to you.... Try to take every single opportunity available to practice. Let other nurses on the floor know that you would l...

5. back into the work force questions

   JustKaren2 replied to NanikRN's topic in General Nursing

   Yes, I think it is possible to get a hospital position ... but I would try to get "any" RN position that you can in the meantime. I am older than you , had been completely out of nursing for 15 years and away from hospital nursing for 18 years, took...

6. HIV testing on all patients?

   JustKaren2 replied to Cathylady's topic in General Nursing

   As far as I know the testing is a voluntary thing....doing it in an E.R. is probably not the best place...but if that is where the patient feels comfortable, then that is where it shoud be, yes? And, yes, consent is required. I used to work at a cou...

7. HIV testing on all patients?

   JustKaren2 replied to Cathylady's topic in General Nursing

   I don't know about the 'swab' test, but there is a 'rapid test' finger stick that give results in 20 minutes ... some false positives, especially with pregnant women, but the accuracy is very, very high. The reason for testing? Early intervention an...

8. re-entering the nursing field

   JustKaren2 replied to simirugrat's topic in Career Support

   I was also out for 15 years, but I did have 10 years of experience (graduated in 1984). I'm in California and had to retake boards because I had let my license expire. After passing boards (thought I wouldnt), I took a refresher course, and I highl...

9. Refresher course starts tomorrow

   JustKaren2 replied to kintexas's topic in Retired

   MsDiva, I am in So. Calif. I found my refresher program by going to the State Board of Nursing website and then researching the approved refresher programs until I found the one that best fit my needs. They didn't have a spring class this year, tho...

10. Refresher course starts tomorrow

    JustKaren2 replied to kintexas's topic in Retired

    Oh my goodness! A local hospital just hired me today! I cannot believe it! They actually hired me! Now I'm scared to death! I finished my refresher program in November and I already feel like I forgot everything that I 'refreshed'

11. Refresher course starts tomorrow

    JustKaren2 replied to kintexas's topic in Retired

    That is really good news that you live in Texas. I'm in California. I was told by recruiters, that if I would be willing to move to Texas, they would be able to find me a job. Luckily, I found a very good job here in So. California (definitely God...

12. Refresher course starts tomorrow

    JustKaren2 replied to kintexas's topic in Retired

    Hi Phlox: Shoes and uniforms are not that expensive. But you would also have to get malpractice insurance (about $80 per year) and I had to pay for a physical and all of my immunization titers (which was the largest of the expense) In a better econ...

13. What is the normal amount of credits required for a BSN.

    JustKaren2 replied to Foley6's topic in General Nursing

    CSUSM in Cal requires 133 units

14. Quit after first day of orientation!

    JustKaren2 replied to FLg8r's topic in General Nursing

    Oh my, you guys are really beating her up. Perhaps poor body mechanics played a role? Poor physical conditioning? Forewarned is forearmed. If you really want to be in direct-care nursing, work on your physical conditioning and learn proper body m...

15. Is Anyone Else Having Trouble Getting Back Into Nursing After Taking Time Off?

    JustKaren2 replied to iluvdetroit's topic in General Nursing

    Hi Diane: The fact that you are still looking things up after 31 years means that you care about providing excellent patient care. You must be an outstanding nurse!