Another seeking advice about returning to nursing :)

Hi all!

I posted back in August 2008 about wanting to return to nursing after taking time off to have my babies, who are now 3 years old and 11 months. When I originally posted, I was concerned with pumping on the job and was given advice to, if possible, wait awhile so pumping would be less frequent, which I accepted. I am still breastfeeding, but plan to wean when DD turns one on May 1st (if she is willing lol).

I still desperately would like to return to nursing, but it has now been 4 years almost to the day since I left my position in Med-Surg (where I worked for one full year as a new grad... graduated in 2004 from ADN program, and worked from that time until April of 2005), and I am concerned that the hospital will be hesitant to re-hire me. There are no refresher courses in our area, and so I have been going through my old nursing textbooks on my own, even though I'm sure some things have changed since nursing is such a rapidly evolving area. After reading all the posts about those having a hard time finding a position after a temporary departure from nursing, I really want to get back in before it's too late!

I would only be able to work PRN, probably twice a month at the most (if I am not mistaken, once a month is all that is required for PRN at this particular hospital). I have several worries (just my nature to begin with lol) but don't really know how to address them.

For instance, is it okay to ask for an orientation or would that make me appear incompetent? Would it be possible to be hired in a unit where I have no experience, or should I stick to Med-Surg even though I didn't much care for it? Will they work with me on my schedule (we have a single family vehicle and I have to make sure I have someone to watch my children in advance)? Also, I would probably not be able to come in except for those scheduled days, and it seems that the PRN nurses I know are constantly being called in... I don't mind covering when I'm needed but with the car/kid situation, I'm just not able to up and go with short notice, and I'm afraid that would be a problem as well.

Sorry this was soooo long!! *blush*

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, or simply encouraging words