Divorced 67 yr old, lapsed license, disabled, seeks advice

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

I'm sorry to hear about the tough circumstances you're facing. The combination of divorce, financial strain, chronic pain, and the frustration of trying to reinstate your nursing license must be incredibly difficult.

 Understandably, you'd want to find a way to use your experience to your advantage without going back into patient-facing roles.

Take this step-by-step, and you can do this.

License Reinstatement

Your primary and immediate goal is getting your license reinstated. You cannot let $500.00 stand in the way. Do whatever it takes to pay the fee and get started. Borrow from friends or family. Once you have a job, you can pay it back.

Some states offer options to apply for a reduced fee. Contact your state's Board of Nursing and explain your situation since financial hardship and disability are factors. Some states allow you to pay in installments or waive specific fees due to extenuating circumstances. It can't hurt to ask.

Here are a few suggestions that might help you navigate this challenge:

Explore Alternative Nursing Roles

You mentioned chart reviews, which is a great direction to consider. Many healthcare organizations, insurance companies, and medical billing companies offer remote or non-patient-facing roles that require nursing knowledge, such as;

• Medical coding and billing (which can be done online and might not require a nursing license)
• Utilization review (ensuring that medical care is medically necessary and appropriate)
• Case management (sometimes, this can be done remotely)
• Medical writing or editing (particularly in healthcare, regulations, or nursing-related content)

These roles often require clinical experience but not direct patient care. Some positions may even consider a background in nursing without the need for an active license, especially if you're doing it remotely or as part of a review process.

Some remote jobs, particularly chart reviews or medical writing, allow for a flexible schedule, which may help you manage your pain better and avoid the physical strain of clinical work.

Find Support and Community

You're facing a lot right now, and it can be easy to feel alone. If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or inertia...see your provider in case you need a diagnosis and treatment. Depression could be holding you back from taking action.

Consider reaching out to a counselor or joining support groups, either in person or online, for individuals going through a divorce or chronic pain management. Sometimes, having a community of others in similar situations can provide emotional strength and practical ideas for navigating these transitions.

Consider Part-Time or Flexible Work

If you're open to doing part-time work, you might find roles that are less demanding physically but still allow you to use your nursing expertise. Many remote positions in chart auditing, health insurance, and quality review offer part-time or contract opportunities, which could be a way to ease back into work without overwhelming yourself.

 I know it's tough, but you can find a way to do this. Hang in there, and know that options are available, even if the path to them is a bit winding.

Very best wishes,

Nurse Beth

 

[Anonnurse316]

Honestly, you just gotta pay the $500, there is no alternative.  Also finding the kind of work you are looking for can be difficult because so many people are wanting remote work. I'd suggest also looking for jobs at surgeries centers or hospitals doing "pre admission testing" (PAT nurses) - they just make phone calls all day making sure patients have everything done and all their info needed to be ready for surgery. Good luck!