FL BON destroyed my RN license record; thoughts on re-entry to nursing?

[Katheemarie]

OK, so I have been out of nursing for over 20 years, but have just applied for RN endorsement with my new residence in MO. I was amazed that no CEUs or refresher course was mandatory! I had to have my licensed verified so I paid the FL BON records dept only to find out they destroyed all stagnant records at the time, including mine. Not sure now if my license is verified or not. They do have my name and license number but that is it. Has anyone heard of this happening before? The records dept in FL said that I'm not the only one and that others are getting endorsements in other states regardless. I'm not sure what to think of this.

Also, I have 9 years of hospital and home health care experience prior to 1986. What are some of your feelings on my reentering the RN workforce after being out so long? I'm going to look into an RN refresher course. Do not want to do hospital floor nursing but look for something less daunting. Are there books you'd recommend? Other classes I should look into? Thanks for any help or thoughts! (How I feel right now.)

--Katheemarie

[caliotter3]

I advise a refresher course. Also do some reading especially in areas of assessment, skills. You can find videos of skills on youtube, but should think about credibility. Home health extended care cases would be your best bet to ease back in with least amount of trauma. Routine care for stable patients. You can read books on home health, Robin Rice has a good one out. Get a good orientation and take it day by day. If you want more challenge after starting out in extended care, you might want to move into intermittent visits, hospice, or case management positions, and then take a look at how things are going. Welcome back and good luck getting your license and that first job!

[Katheemarie]

Thank you for taking time to post. I appreciate the resources you recommend and your ideas for reentry. I know it'll be a scary time at first but I may just jump in where things lead or go ahead and take a refresher course.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you let all your licenses lap (go stagnant without renewal), don't you have to write Boards again?

[Katheemarie]

I guess each state is different. In Florida perhaps yes. In Missouri where I have applied that is not the case. The do not require CEUs or a repeat of boards nor a refresher course. In AR where I lived the past 12 years I would have had to complete a year long course, pass a test and have so many hours of clinical first.