Return to nursing after more than a decade?

Nurses Retired

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Hi all,

I'm new here and looking for advice. I got my BSN back in 1992. Worked for about 4 years in a hospital pediatric unit then went to prn status for awhile. Then worked for about a year for an adult daycare center. Got married had kids and eventually put my license on inactive status in 2001 to raise my kids (one of which has autism). I've been at home since 2001 and have considered reactivating my license since my kids are now in jr high/high school.

For the past year I have worked part time as a PCA for a home health agency just to get my feet wet again in the working world. I've really enjoyed it and am now considering taking the Nurse Refresher course to get my license back. I have a few questions, if anyone has the time to reply.

1: I'm looking at the refresher courses . I'd love some feedback on how you felt the courses were. My fear is that I have been out of the field so long that even a refresher course couldn't bring me back to a comfortable skill level.

2: Is it worth it? I really need a somewhat flexible schedules, which is why the home health pca job has worked out well for me this past year other than the fact that it doesn't pay hardly anything. I do not want to work in a hospital anymore, to be honest, and I only want to work part time. Is it worth getting my license back? Is it realistic to think there are any jobs out there that have flexible hours for a nurse?

3: I've even considered just getting my home health nurse aide certificate and doing that, rather than the longer course to get my license back, but I feel I would be wasting my nursing degree. But I've been told by a nurse I work with that nurses aide home visits are flexible and you get paid by the visit. Has anyone ever gone from RN to nurse aide? Does that sound just like a ridiculous idea?

4: Has anyone gone through the trouble and expense of doing the nurse refresher course and then not been able to find a job? My fear is I'm too old to start over (I'll be 43 soon).

Any advice or thoughts are welcome.

Thanks for reading! :)

LOL, almost all my fellow classmates were 45+. We even had one 70 yr old!!!

I totally get the staying home and losing your mind thing with kids. I frequently tell my husband that if I could get a calm office job that working full time would be soooooo much easier. Working full time in nursing probably too, after the first few crazy stress years. Oh well, you can't have your cake and eat it too, LOL

There is always time. Do what you think is right and don't look back (or atleast try not to, LOL)..

Your post gives me hope, I am not the oldest one to go to school；

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I am a reentry nurse as well. I just started a job in labor and delivery after an eight year break. I looked for five months before I got my job. I also live in southern California. It is a tough market. Look as far north as you can. Luckily I got a job only 25 minutes from where I live bit I applied as far as Irvine and Anaheim.

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I am a reentry nurse as well. I just started a job in labor and delivery after an eight year break. I looked for five months before I got my job. I also live in southern California. It is a tough market. Look as far north as you can. Luckily I got a job only 25 minutes from where I live bit I applied as far as Irvine and Anaheim.

Congrats! You give me hope in being able to find work even after a long time out of the field. Good luck with your new job. Let us know how it goes!

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

More hope for you all: After completing my BSN I just landed an acute care hospital job as well! Finally!! Excited to have the training I need to get up to speed in nursing! Good Luck guys, there is always hope.....

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Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

You go girl! You will do great!

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Congratulations on taking the big step on the refresher course!! I was out of nursing for 7 years, and had only 1 year nursing experience prior to staying at home with my kids. Health issues with my child prevented her from being able to go to school - so mom was called to step-up. :woot: I just kept praying that if I had a place back in nursing He would provide... which took a great amount of faith as the years went by!!

I did an online refresher course through a Texas community college. I did not make it to the college for the days they planned skills practice (I lived a day's drive away). The skills days were optional. I just kept at the refresher course. I loved getting back into the subject of nursing. I remember every one of my classmates were worried about being able to find a job afterwards....just like me. I have not kept up with those I did the course with, but I found a job!!

I still just work PRN, and have for the last 2 1/2 years. I am a hospice nurse - which was ALWAYS my goal even before starting nursing school!!

I didn't quit school with my refresher course though... I guess it just got me excited about nursing again. I will finish my BSN in December!!! I may even go onto my MSN!! I would love to specialize in palliative and hospice care.

So... to ANY out there wondering if you should jump back into nursing - my answer is "YES"! I understand timing is everything - especially when it comes to our family!! Just don't allow doubt of being able to find a job keep you from going for it. You will find a place in nursing. :)

Think positive, keep your eyes and ears open for jobs, network and you'll be signing (your name) RN once again!!

Good luck and best wishes for a fulfilling nursing career - whether full-time, part-time, or PRN!!!

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Specializes in Oncology (OCN).

Slyoung2004,

I am curious which online refresher course in Texas you took. I am too considering taking a refresher course to re activate my RN license. I had to leave nursing 6 years ago (March 2008) due to RSD/CRPS. Although I still have RSD/CRPS, I started monthly ketamine infusions 3 months ago that have greatly reduced my symptoms. I'm concerned it may be too early in treatment to even be considering going back, but I have always wanted to return to nursing. Being on disability sucks! I worry that even if I do re-activate my license, no one will hire me because of my disability. Plus trying to manage working while still be able to receive treatment for my condition. I have to go every 4 weeks for infusions which are for four days in a row (at least right now). I don't know many employers who will be willing to work with that kind of schedule requirement. Then there is the whole SSDI thing to consider. I was blessed to be approved on my first application when so many others have to fight for years sometimes to get it. They have a ticket to work program which allows you to attempt to go back to work without jeopardizing your status. I don't even know at this point if I could physically managing going back to nursing. I use to work on a very busy inpatient oncology unit. (Even had my OCN.) I know there are a lot of other options in nursing other than bedside, but that's where my heart has always been. So much to think about....I worked so hard to get my BSN and I loved nursing so much, it just seems like a waste not to try to get my license back if I can. I'm only 46. I feel I still have a lot to offer.

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