Any advice on returning to nursing?

[GreatReturns]

Hello,

I am eager to return to nursing, but am not sure how to go about it. Circumstances and choices (military, family, etc.) led me to put my career on hold, twelve years to be exact. I graduated with my BSN, passed the NCLEX, and worked as a GN for a short period. But this was all so long ago and I would really appreciate any advice on getting back in the game. I kept my license active for a while, but have long since passed the timeframe where I could just take a refresher course and reinstate my license. The information I'm getting from the two boards where I once held licenses is that my only way back is to retake the NCLEX. Very intimidating, so how do I best prepare? I'm willing to take my state's online refresher course and take other courses to get up-to-date. Aside from the refresher, what other courses (good refrehsers used for CEUS, online or certification classes) would help me out? Any other suggestions for catching up with the latest in nursing would be great. I haven't been in nurse-mode for so long, any advice is welcome. Thanks!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hmmm...well you could start with the online refresher course, see how you do, take an NCLEX study guide and then take the NCLEX and see how things go. You might want to combine clinicals with the online component because you can then get started to get used to the current practices. Good luck.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

I don't know if this is against the rules to post this but http://www.nurse.com has a huge online database of CEU articles.....a subscription costs $35. i find them helpful and informative and they would probably be good review for you.