Anyone else tired of this?

Belfegor · Mar 21, 2009

The fourth estate hasn't done real journalism in at least 8 years. Lazy access driven, profit driven media. They also haven't told the public the true numbers on unemployment numbers. Leaving out those who gave up, those having to take part time work because nothing else was available. All those people would drive up the unemployed numbers substantially and give a better idea of those who no longer see a doctor due to loss of health care. The media also seldom talks about the 18,000 or so who die in this country yearly for the same. The people seeing this are in the ER's. Hospitals are being forced to close or cut services in many places and one big reason is the unreimbursed costs of the uninsured from the state. Community hospitals and their ER's can't cover the losses for long. In California an ER doctors group is suing the state for millions in treatment costs the state has never paid them for. (article appeard recently in LATimes)This is a last ditch effort to save the ER's in that area of the state.
Right now I am trying to decide if its worth returning to nursing after a long absence. I am finding next to nothing for indepth refresher training. I called the BRN to let them know a bit about the ones they list(one is no longer available due to funding, one is too short a time or too shallow a program so many won't hire nurses finishing that program, and then no programs in my area unless I can drive 70 miles one way every day for 11 weeks but its full).Then there is the issue of getting hired with a large gap in work experience. So I am about to throw in the towel on returning. I don't have much time(RN to BSN is something I considered, but I don't have 15 months right now. I would consider some other job for now while I get the BSN, but after reading many threads here about the attitudes toward older returning nurses I'm thinking screw it. I could invest time and money and still not beable to work. May as well go for something new and less stressful. The stuff I read about from nurses on this blog is the same stuff I experienced in the '80's. Possibly worse to dangerously worse than back then.
Rant over. How do nurses get their skills up even for non acute care/ no hands on patient care without a refresher course? The person I spoke to at the BRN said to tailor my 30 CEU's toward refreshing, no brainer, but that hardly seems adequate. For someone basically starting over there are few avenues and little career support to make the transition of coming back palatable.

Hi there,

I am sorry your attempt to come back to nursing is so frustrating! I don't have much to offer advice wise, but maybe just a few ideas (that you may have already explored?).

First off: what does the board of nursing of the state you reside in has to offer? Don't they have those kind of refresher courses, or at list a good network to provide support to returning nurses?

Then, there is the AACN online courses. For example, they have this very in depth online module called ECCO (Essentials of Critical Care Orientation).I took it once upon a time as part of an orientation provided by my hospital and although very interesting, it was LONG!

Here is the description of the program: " includes 10 learning modules, organized using a body systems approach. Modules are comprised of multiple lessons that provide in-depth, interactive content with rich graphics and illustrations that keep learners engaged. Each module addresses the anatomy and physiology of the body system, relevant diagnostic information, and the clinical presentation and management of common disorders for each of the body systems. ECCO provides a total of 69 hours of CNE credit."

They might have other options and modules as well...(oh, and it is not cheap either!)

The last idea I have to share with you is "Ed4Nurses" . The guy at the head of the company is a nurse that has specialized in education for nurses after many years of experience at the bedside (ER and ICU I believe). He actually is really good and motivating! I went to his CCRN prep workshop and loved it (and I am difficult to please and get bored very easily!) I know that he offers the many different programs, for all fields of nursing, both in person or online/CDs/manuals. As I said earlier, I do not know what is officially recognized to be a "refresher course" but since you mentioned using CEUs toward it, Ed4Nurses does provide the validation of those CEs for each module/program you take with him.

I hope you will find "something" you can use amongst those suggestions....Don't give up just yet!

Good luck and keep in touch, depending on what you find, I'm sure other nurses could use the information.

B-

spindrift · Mar 21, 2009

Thanks very much. I think I am very concerned that even with many CE courses(your suggestions are great) and much effort to get current, the odds are that a large gap in time can't be overcome. I just wanted to get back into something low key and a bit slower paced. but still don't think I would be employable after that gap.

Belfegor · Mar 21, 2009

Thanks very much. I think I am very concerned that even with many CE courses(your suggestions are great) and much effort to get current, the odds are that a large gap in time can't be overcome. I just wanted to get back into something low key and a bit slower paced. but still don't think I would be employable after that gap.

Why would that be spindrift?!

I have seen many many nurses take long breaks and come back! I don't see why your being out of the profession for whatever reason would reflect badly on you in any way!

Many women decided to stay at home while the kids are very young, if their husband is able to provide on a single income....once the kids are a little older, they come back to work.

Have an optimistic attitude or it will transpire during a potential interview!

Then again, that's why nurses take a refresher course when they decide to practice again.

And I disagree with you when you say that it is as if you were starting from scratch- your past experience cannot be overlooked just because you haven't been working in the field lately!

You will probably feel that it takes a little time to get back into the swing of things, but like any change, it requires for you to adapt (which can be uneasy at first) but it will come back (like biking?).

Pls don't give up!:bowingpur

B

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2009

Glut of nurses and no jobs for experienced or new grads in my area.

bagladyrn, RN · Mar 22, 2009

Those who find that "there are plenty of openings in my area" for new grads or otherwise would do well to at least post the geographic area they are from as a support to those fellow nurses who are having difficulty finding work.

Yes it is rough in many places - with many years experience in both my specialty and as a traveler it took me a month of daily scouring the job listings all over the country to get my last travel contract. Lots of nurses now would be willing to relocate for positions.

allnurses Guide · Mar 22, 2009

Spin drift, Have you thought about school nursing? Maybe some public health or education CEUs would help you there.

kayty2339 · Mar 22, 2009

Yes I am getting very tired of hearing about nursing on the news. I've wanted to be a nurse for years and I worry that all the media attention saying that "nursing is recession proof" is going to make getting into school and finding a job that much harder for me....only time will tell.

LilyBlue · Mar 22, 2009

There is ZERO recession proof job. If an economy completely collapses (as other countries have experienced) you might have a job but that doesn't mean you'll get paid.