Thinking about going back after 13 years!!

...is it even possible?

Hi everyone. I've been reading lots of posts the past few days. Very helpful and informative stuff on this website. Love it!

Here's my deal: Graduated in 1995 with ADN in Florida. Took boards (Florida), passed, and first child about 10 days later. Put license on inactive status the following year to stay home longer with baby. Never worked at all. Few years later husband transfered to New Jersey, had second child few years after that. Well, I've been home with the kids since then (1995) and have actually never worked as an R.N. Still in New Jersey now.

Now, it's something that's always bothered me...that I never went into it. I worked my tail off in nursing school, did very well, loved my classes, etc.

So here I am now, almost 13 years later and really wanting to get back into it, or should I say "go into it" as there really isn't anything to get back into, lol.

Also did the big sin of not keeping up with CE's so my license (Florida) has expired.

Now, here's where I need opinions. Called Florida DON yesterday and they said yes, it's expired, and if, say I was still living in Florida and wanted to practice, I would have to take the NCLEX again (which I figured...no problem with that...I'd devote about 6 months to re-studying everything).

Called New Jersey DON and they said (that this is where I think I'm being told incorrect into), that I have to fill out "licensure by endorsement" paperwork (pay fees, sumit fingerprints, give a bunch of other info, etc.), an that after processing all that paperwork, I can get a NJ RN license. That doesn't seem right. And I explained over and over that 1: my license is expired in Florida, not just on inactive status, and that 2: I've never worked as an RN. The woman then went on to say that if I had had my schooling in NJ and had originally taken my boards in NJ and was in the same situation as (meaning I let it expire), I would have to take the NCLEX over again in New Jersey (which makes sense).

See...it's like I'd have to take my boards over if everything stayed withing the same state (understandable), but because I'm "transferring" from one state to another, then can issue me a new license???? It just doesn't seem right. Does that make sense to any of you.

Like I said, I have no problem taking the boards again (not thrilled, of course, but I certainly understand why it would be required of me), and am going to start studying as if I have to, because I have a feeling that once all this endorsement paperwork gets processed, New Jersey is going to come back and say, "ohh, but your FL license is expired, you need to retake the NCLEX" to which I will be thinking "yeah, that's what I've been trying to say all along."

I also realize that the very least I have to take a refresher course. I've already found one that's 12 weeks long and looks pretty good and I plan to take in the spring. In the meantime, I'm going to devote the next 6 months or so to restudying.

Here's another question (oh, and if you're still readying this loooong post, thank you so much): What do you think would be the best way. To drag out my old textbooks and notes, or to get some of those other books at Borders...books like the "___________ Made Incredibly Easy." I was glancing at some the other day and some are quite comprehensive. Are there any other good books you would all recommend?

Thanks so much for reading this. I look forward to posting and reading more.