refresher classes

I do not know which of the many refresher programs are best, but, i am just posting so that i, too, can follow this here thread.

In my opinion, to return to hospital nursing, i'd think a refresher course which focuses on learning the latest meds and newest lab tests and procedures, would be essential class topics, as those can change so frequently.


Each and every individual hospital would have to train you for their own computerized documentation program, as that can vary so so much from one hospital to another.

BEST OF LUCK in your endeavor, and hope someone does come by with better info on which refresher course is best.


EDIT: btw, i am fairly new to this forum, but, in this very area of Allnurses, there are multiple other threads on refresher courses, in this same forum of "Retired Inactive nurses"
which might help you discover if there is one that is being recommended (in case no one replies to this)

I think it would be best to get into a board approved refresher course that has a clinical component. If you need to re activate your nursing license then it would have to be approved by the nursing board in your state. State Boards usually will have a list of refresher courses. Try looking at the local community colleges. I was also out of nursing for a while due to family obligations. I took a refresher at our community college. It was taught by a Trauma Director who is also an RN so it was really good. I did almost all my clinical time in an ICU with some hours in a Med Surg unit. Try and talk to the professor before you sign up to see if it would be something you were interested in.
I think the hardest part of returning to nursing and even going back for a refresher course is regaining confidence in your abilities. The refresher will help you do this. You can also network with your classmates, form study groups or work on skills together. The school should have a lab where you can practice your skills before you go into the hospital. I think it also helps to get a job if you do a refresher with a clinical component because you will have at least some relevant experience that is recent.

I've been looking into this as well and Sippie is right. Contact your state board of nursing for board approved refresher courses. Most of them will have a theory component as well as clinical component. You'll want both, imo.

Good luck! I still haven't completely made up my mind to do it or not. I'm afraid of wasting the time and money and not be able to find something flexible enough for my family situation. I sure do miss nursing though.

Please .. if anyone can help me with a good idea. I graduated from nursing college in july 2011, I didnot practice nursing at all since I graduated. I feel that I forgat most of things I learned . I need to refresh my information. Anyone know a website give an online refreshment course?

By chance has anyone completed the RN Refresher course @ CSU Chico? I'd like to talk with you about it, if possibe. Thx

You sound almost exactly like me...off the market for about 4 years because I had my son....only had gotten a couple years in before that doing mostly ER.....and having spent the past 4 years out of the workforce getting my MSN degree only to find out it isn't helping.

How many success stories are out there? I just got OUT of school, and the last thing I want to do is get back IN to school for some refresher course....it seems the MSN ought count for something?

I am totally willing to enter a nursing residency in order to break into a new specialty area, however....as long as they don't require me to work full-time.