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Returning to patient care



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Mar 09, 2009 05:38 PM

Returning to patient care


I have been throughly mesmerized by the posts from all who are wanting to return to "hands-on" patient care as I too am considering making the leap. It is with great trepidation that I read of the difficulty of some who considering this. I graduated with an ASN in 1980 - worked in ICU and all areas of surgery for 10 years. The last 19 have been in case management, quality, risk and hospital management. I have been working in the hospital but away from the bedside. I finally graduated with my BSN this past December - now what to do? I am totally fed up with hospital management jobs and would really like to work in Home Health or maybe Hospice --- but how do I break into that? I realize that I will have to take a refresher course but I really do not want to work a Med-surg floor with all the physical demands. I am older (56) but am in good health. I am just wondering if there are other older nurses who have returned to the bedside and what kind of experience they encountered. I was once a very good nurse but I guess I have lost my confidence.

This is such a great supportive group and I am glad to have become a part of it.

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7 Comments
No. 1
from diane227
Old Mar 11, 2009, 01:00 PM

Default Re: Returning to patient care
Even though you have been in a hospital environment, getting into a refresher course would be the best way to go, then you can decide on the area where you want to work. Your learning curve would be steep without the course. Everything seems to change every day.
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No. 2
from VivaLasViejas
Old Mar 11, 2009, 01:50 PM

Default Re: Returning to patient care
I recently returned to LTC bedside nursing after several years in management, and I can tell you it's been an eye-opener.........so many things have changed since I last worked the floor, and it wasn't even that long ago! So yes, you will want to take a refresher course, and definitely avoid the hospitals; they are no place for nurses our age unless we are in Olympic-athlete shape. (I am in shape.........round IS a shape LOL)

You may need a year or so of subacute/SNF nursing to get your foot in the door at a home health agency, however. They will want excellent physical and psychosocial assessment skills, and they generally prefer nurses with recent experience and proficiency in wound care and IV infusion therapy as well as general nursing care.

Best of luck to you, and welcome back to the REAL nursing world!
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No. 3
from stlgirl2803
Old Mar 25, 2009, 04:48 PM

Default Re: Returning to patient care
I have returned after 20+ years of not working as a nurse. Past experience : ICU, Recovery Room, Critical Care float..and float in Med-Surg. A few months in Agency nursing. I am now working in a LTC facility part time. I have given myself inservices weekly- look up meds, wound care, geriatric care, etc. My skills have improved in assessing the residents and my organizational skills. My fears were quickly calmed as I "got back on the bicycle" . I still don't like being in charge or being the only nurse on my unit, but there are so many helpful nurses in the house. I never feel alone. Most of the CNA's and CMT's are excellent and offer much help in identifying the residents' needs. I have received much positive feedback from the Admin and other nurses and residents.
I wished I could have had a refresher program but the only one available is the one at Mo Bap and it requires full-time commitment, which I cannot do. Any seminars or even online course would be helpful. Any advice out there?
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No. 4
from Carolbknits
Old Mar 27, 2009, 07:49 PM

Default Re: Returning to patient care
I too am reentering the workforce and trying to figure out how to find my niche. I am supposed to start a refresher course in 3 weeks, again a big committment (with 3 kids-2 in preschool, one in high school and very sick parents!)... I wish I KNEW what I wanted to be when I grew up! I feel like there are so many options, that I don't even know where to begin! Any advice?
Thanks
love hugs and prayers
Carol
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No. 5
from SALLYRNRRT
Old Apr 06, 2009, 11:38 AM

Health Re: Returning to patient care
Originally Posted by soldiersmomma160 View Post
I have been throughly mesmerized by the posts from all who are wanting to return to "hands-on" patient care as I too am considering making the leap. It is with great trepidation that I read of the difficulty of some who considering this. I graduated with an ASN in 1980 - worked in ICU and all areas of surgery for 10 years. The last 19 have been in case management, quality, risk and hospital management. I have been working in the hospital but away from the bedside. I finally graduated with my BSN this past December - now what to do? I am totally fed up with hospital management jobs and would really like to work in Home Health or maybe Hospice --- but how do I break into that? I realize that I will have to take a refresher course but I really do not want to work a Med-surg floor with all the physical demands. I am older (56) but am in good health. I am just wondering if there are other older nurses who have returned to the bedside and what kind of experience they encountered. I was once a very good nurse but I guess I have lost my confidence.

This is such a great supportive group and I am glad to have become a part of it.

LTC, was my bridge, they need us, it was not an area I ever thought I would be interested in, but as us baby boomers age.......... it is a ever increasing field.
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No. 6
from 4dlw
Old Apr 24, 2009, 08:19 AM

Default Re: Returning to patient care
I enjoyed reading the posts on returning to nursing. I live in Indiana and am considering renewing my RN license, I let it expire. They are sending me the info. I am sure one question will be if I am using my nursing knowledge. I have been doing medical transcription for 10 years, will they consider that using my nursing knowledge and skills on the renewal form?
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No. 7
from SALLYRNRRT
Old Apr 24, 2009, 01:09 PM

Default Re: Returning to patient care
A similar situation I encountered in TxBON, I had worked as an medical assistant, and I had sold medical supplies, I went to Respiratory Therapy school, and became an RRT, I could not turn my brain off on prior knowlege and its application associated. I had to ans. yes, and it was considered.
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