advice on refreshing knowledge

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Acute cardiac care, Psych., Med-Surg, CM.

Hello! I have been out of the hospital setting for 3 years. I'm going back and am excited! I've got all kinds of nursing books that I've kept, and even dug up my school notes from 8 years ago to review but I keep getting overwhelmed with what to look at first. Also I'm getting so frustrated because I don't remember what happens at the molecular level with so many things that I once knew. I'm going to focus on meds, calculations, and I guess start with respiratory, then cardiac, then fluids and electrolytes, but I don't know! Any advice?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The nursing field has changed. A LOT. The market is pretty saturated. Many state have instituted regulations that greater than 5 years out of nursing and you need to take an official refresher course. Most facilities are now only hiring BSN new grads and a strong preference to BSN nurses

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Specializes in Acute cardiac care, Psych., Med-Surg, CM.

Oh great, yea I feel a lot calmer now!

I have a BSN and I haven't been out of nursing, just out of the hospital setting. Anyone have any advice?

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I think you are off to a pretty good start. Don't fret too much, as you probably remember from your previous work, you learn a lot on the job. Look into nurse refresher courses in your area. I believe that some community colleges have them.

Again, you will learn so much on the job. Apply, get a job, and then go home and study the type of diseases and conditions that you are seeing on your floor. Study meds common to your specialty. It couldn't hurt to study and review drug dose calculations as you will probably be given a medication / dosage test once hired. Don't fret, they usually are fairly easy and they will more than likely give you a study guide.

Be sure to look into the certifications the positions require and obtain them. It's true that the market is saturated so you must make yourself as marketable as possible. Best wishes.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Oh great, yea I feel a lot calmer now!

I have a BSN and I haven't been out of nursing, just out of the hospital setting. Anyone have any advice?

I read your other post...LOL it doesn't apply now. It is like riding a bike you remember a lot.
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Specializes in Acute cardiac care, Psych., Med-Surg, CM.

Haha! Ok thanks! I did get a job and will be working in med-surg LTAC. I decided to focus on meds, and some of the practical hands on things, and chronic conditions.

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Returning to the acute environment can be very over whelming!! Just take deep breaths and keep track of things you feel unfamiliar with. Reviewing the new insulins will be a big help as there are more now than before and the treatment parameters are different. I find the most current information on various nursing web sites, not in published books. I don't know if they can be mentioned on this chat site, but check in the career section. LTAC is a good place to return to as those patients are still sick but the pace is not as fast as it is in the hospital. We are mostly seeing pts with COPD, CHF, DMII etc. that are recovering from an acute event or recent joint replacement surgery. It is almost like working on a med-surg floor that was in the hospital 5-10 years ago. You should look into taking ACLS as that will give you some confidence when someone does code, and most facilities are asking for a specialty certification now. For you that may be in rehab nursing. Welcome Back. Good Luck!!

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