I haven't been working as a RN for 2.5y now. I was wondering if anyone knows of a "law" or something that requires you to have to go back to work within a certain time-period, without having to take classes to get back into the swing of things. I live in WA state. I took time off to have a couple of kids and I don't want to go back any time soon. But if I have to take classes/clinicals again---I will go back now--to avoid doing that.
Any info???
Jul 24, '02
Why don't you call your state board of nursing and ask them as different states have different rules.
Jul 24, '02
I live in Washington State, too. Here is the number and web addy of the WA Dept of Health: (which handles licensure of nurses in our State):
360-236-4700
Web ADDY:
www.doh.wa.gov/nursing/default.htm#
good luck!
Jul 24, '02
I found out when I went to renew my license like I had done every year before but because I couldn't put down that I had done any actual nursing in a certain time span they told me that as of then my license was inactive and to get it on active status again I'd have to take a 6-month refresher course with clinicals again. Haven't been doing nursing for 17 years. Check with your state board.
Jul 24, '02
Hi Holly,
In reference to your question, I don't know how long you have to be out of practice before your license is null but I was thinking that if you are going to call your State Board you could ask them the minimum of hours a month or year you would have to work to keep your license active.
I'm offering this as a suggestion because my aunt was in the same predicament as you and she found that in Pennsylvania you didn't have to work a whole lot of hours on a yearly basis to keep your license active so, while she has been raising her children she has been putting in only a few shifts a month at her local hospital.
It was easier to do that than go back for a refresher course and more clinicals.
Just a suggestion that might be worth while depending on your circumstances.
Jul 24, '02
i think in PA its 5 years before your license expires but if you havent practiced in 2 years it would benefit YOU to take a refresher course. ive been off 2 months and i know when i get back ill have a lot of catching up to do. its really hard starting nursing again....it would be even harder starting when you are unfamiliar with drugs and new procedures. i took a few years off and although i wasnt expired yet i took a refresher. yeah i had clinicals but they were different than in nursing school because you already have a license.
Jul 24, '02Occupation: Critical Care Joined: Aug '00; Posts: 2,629; Likes: 20Why don't you call your state board of nursing and ask them as different states have different rules.
Jul 24, '02Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,756; Likes: 16,288I live in Washington State, too. Here is the number and web addy of the WA Dept of Health: (which handles licensure of nurses in our State):
Jul 24, '02Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 974; Likes: 52i think in PA its 5 years before your license expires but if you havent practiced in 2 years it would benefit YOU to take a refresher course. ive been off 2 months and i know when i get back ill have a lot of catching up to do. its really hard starting nursing again....it would be even harder starting when you are unfamiliar with drugs and new procedures. i took a few years off and although i wasnt expired yet i took a refresher. yeah i had clinicals but they were different than in nursing school because you already have a license.
