Is there hope?

bluemartian, BSN · Aug 1, 2011

9 months?? Most are 30-60 days long!!

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2011

Well, of course there is always hope, you can't lose hope. It is however an extremely depressing situation. Good for you for trying again after being through so much! And preggers again!

How long has it been since you graduated NS? Did you ever work? I worked only 4 mos before leaving due to pregnancy and then to SAH with my kids. Fast FF 4 years and here I am about to enroll in a refresher that is requiring lots of planning and money (d/t childcare) and it NOT guaranteed to get me a job! I even started with BSN classes a while back thinking that would be a better way to go to make myself look more marketable but stopped since I did not want to spend so much out of pocket without some idea I could be employed in nursing again.

I gotta go now...kids... but PM me and we'll talk some more!

Janice

ctantiques · Aug 4, 2011

Jobs are evidently quite tight right now. I left in 98 after 21 years of critical care trauma and kept only an inactive license. Up until a couple of years ago there were nursing jobs galore here, when I decided to go back last winter I was going to do an online refresher and then get my own clinical....fat chance. What would have been easy a couple of years ago was impossible. The only way you get a preceptor is if they want to hire you and rarely are they going to retrain an old RN if they can choose a new grad. I was lucky as in June I was recruited to be a forensic nurse at a local hospital by someone I know, so the hospital finally agreed to precept me in the ED to after my didactic so I can reactivate my license.

You have to be persistent.

joanekiser · Aug 5, 2011

where do you live? and what refresher course did you take? i am seriously considering a refresher course and taking clinicals in another state to re-activate that license and then have it endorsed to the state i currently live in. i'm very nervous about it all...

ctantiques · Aug 6, 2011

I'm in Maryland. I am just starting the course, it's Mount Carmel College of Nursing Online course, which then requires 100 hours of clinical via a pre-ceptorship. I would have started earlier but there were no clinical preceptor ships available to me until I was offered this position via former colleagues. The on site community college courses are better for some because they do have a clinical component already included in them, though I am hoping to complete this course in half the time. I'm not into it far enough to really know but I know you have to be able to devote several hours a day to the online assignments.

The things that are the most new and possibly more difficult to learn for me are not things like new drugs or new pathways or but are the evidence based practice guidelines, and the medicare rules about no longer reimbursing for certain hospital acquired illness or conditions changes.. in other words health care delivery changes.

The other stuff seems pretty straight forward, though I had to spend a few days refreshing my math skills for drug calculations.

I believe Mount Carmel allows you a refund if you take two weeks of the course and decide it is not for you. I'm not sure about that though I'd have to look.

One I get heavily into it I'll let you know.

Sugar Magnolia · Aug 10, 2011

I am in Maryland and just did an online RN Refresher through University of Delaware. I loved it!! It started in Feb and the final was in May. You watched the lectures on your own time, participated in a forum and chat room and did a few case studies. They set up clinical for me (preceptor and everything) and I did 80 hours. I did my clinical at Frederick Memorial Hospital and finished that in July. I got my license yesterday and have an interview on Thursday.

BTW-- there IS hope. You have a fantastic degree and great life experiences.

joanekiser · Aug 10, 2011

thank you for that!!!

joe17 · Aug 17, 2011

So I'm thinking my story is like others here. Got through nursing school, struggled but passed NCLEX (thank GOD!), life happens-time passes and here I am. Right now I feel that I'm my the brink of giving up hope I'm in a refresher course but it takes at least 9months to complete. I've been looking for a job, made sure I have my BLS cert updated and like I said I'm in the refresher but still no job. I've had plenty of interviews- I'm getting really good at explaining the gaps. I just wonder if it's all worth it.
Would love to hear from others who have gone on to get positions they love.
(Oh did I mention during this time I also got married, moved 5 times, had twins and now am pregnant again.I just don't know how much more I can take.)

there is hope....in fact you are blessed!!! youve got a twins and another one coming ...congrats......and dont lose any hope.......goodluck

finn55 · Sep 2, 2011

Hi everyone! Does anyone have any ideas about where to look for a refresher for Wisconsin? My last job was in a SNF than burned me to a crisp with all the infighting, laziness and crummy attitudes of the staff. Long story. Let it be said that I cried every day on my drive to work. Loved the residents, but all the other craziness was too much. I allowed both of my RN licenses to lapse -- (Wisconsin and Michigan), which was a dumb thing to do. Nursing has always been my passion, and I'd like to be credentialed again. Any ideas for me? Thanks a lot!

joanekiser · Sep 2, 2011

check you state board of nursing web site. south dakota state university has an on line course in almost every state--jsut make sure it's approved for your state.

WorkinMama · Sep 4, 2011

Update... There is Hope!

Thank You Jesus! I got into a long term care facility where they know I'm new and are working with me. Everyday I work I get to learn new things. It's a bit scary but there are great people I can ask questions to. I'm still going through with the refresher and trying to apply it to work. :yeah: