Can you renew your RN license if you cant find a job?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it still possible to renew your RN license without work experience? I cant find a job since my license was issued. Is there going to be a problem when I renew it because I know that on the form it sasks for current employer as RN? BTW, im trying to renew my license for the state of ct

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I believe so but the best thing to do is to contact your state BON.

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Ive heard that you need CEU's credits. But I dont know what those are. And I have no clue how to get the credit?

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

That depends on the state. Here in GA as long as you pay the money you can keep your license active (according to the recent call I made when I left the workforce).

But remember there are lots of resources on the web where you can complete CEU's. I know as a member of STT I can pick up CEU's for free. Also MedScape is free and you can get lots of CEU's through them.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
Ive heard that you need CEU's credits. But I dont know what those are. And I have no clue how to get the credit?

Continuing Education Units

Check out MedScape here http://www.medscape.org/nurses

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I haven't been employed in nursing for a while, and took some years off about 12 years ago, and never had a problem renewing my license.

Contact your BON.

And I need to tell you that I am having difficulty believing that you don't know what CEUs are and how to get them. This is something that I am certain was discussed in school. They are advertised in a variety of places, even on this site.

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and i need to tell you that i am having difficulty believing that you don't know what ceus are and how to get them. this is something that i am certain was discussed in school. they are advertised in a variety of places, even on this site.

you might be certain it was discussed..but you can only certain it was discussed in your school, not every school. believe it that she doesn't know what ceu's are...when we are from a state that does not require ceu's. it was never brought up during my lpn training either. there is no point bringing it up when it doesn't apply to ct nurses. i happen to know what they are because i am also an emt. ceu's were brought up during our schooling..because emt's are required to do ceu's.

to the op:

connecticut doesn't require ceu for renewal of your license. nor do they require you are working. i have several friends who hold active licenses that have not worked in a few years as an rn or lpn.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3121&q=396550

at the bottom it does say if you didn't find an answer to your question to email them. the email address is listed as e-mail: [email protected]

i'd be interested in what they say. i do think they do have a limit on how long you can be licensed but not working. refresher course i think it is for 3-5 yrs..after 5 you need to retest (eek! imagine having to take the nclex again?!)

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Connecticut doesn't have any requirements for renewal. Just pay your $100.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Some states require continuing practice in order to renew licenses, in addition or in place of CEU's.

For example, in NE, one must have either graduated from a basic nursing education program or taken a refresher course within 5 years of license renewal, or have 500 hours of nursing practice in the previous 5 years to renew. This is in addition to 20 CEUs per 2 year renewal period.

If I'm not mistaken, either NC or SC, and undoubtedly other states as well have requirements for current nursing practice.

This may become an issue for long-term unemployed nurses.

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.

Not in my state, we have to have some umpteen hours of paid practice since last renewal but we have no CEU requirements. For new grads with under 2 years on their first renewal the hours are prorated. Like others have said it's best to check with your licensing state's BON.

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I guess it depends on the state. I just contacted my BON with a similar situation. I live in VA., USA. I haven't worked since getting my license in '08, to be a stay at home mom. I just have to renew mine every two years by paying the license renewal fee. I do not have to have CEU's either.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

OP, did your RN program review the basics of licensure in your state; i.e., requirements to obtain and renew licenses, continuing education requirements, etc.?

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