Please help! graduated 2 yrs ago but haven't worked

[missDLPN]

Help! During the last 2 months of nursing school, I began to get sick. I began having blackouts, chronic dizziness, and heart palpitations. I vowed and fought to make it to graduation, passed the NCLEX on the first try, and had very high remarks from my professors. I was hiding my sickness for as long as I could. After I graduated, I got hired as an LPN right away, hoping the strange dizziness would eventually just go away. I chalked it up to being related to stress. Unfortunately, it persisted and worsened. On the first day of my new job, when I was assisting a patient out of the bed, I got very dizzy and almost dropped the patient. It scared me deeply that I could've hurt that patient. A nurse saw that I was pale and sweaty and said "make sure you are the nurse and not the patient before you come to work". I quit and decided to work on my health. Over the past two yrs, I have not been able to drive. I had recurrent bouts of pneumonia and more unexplained blackouts. After working with MANY cardiology drs, neurologists, internal specialists, and getting the run around and no answers for TWO yrs, I FINALLY found a Dr. that identified the problem, performed the 3 surgeries I needed, and now I feel almost normal again. I still have my LPN license, and I'd hate for it to go to waste, but I feel like I have forgotten the skills (IV, nursing plans, etc). In nursing school, I had practiced the skill on a mannequin 3 times and passed. There was never any on the job experience acquired during clinicals, as we were not allowed to perform any skills on real pts other than a couple rounds of med passing. The past two yrs, I have tried to keep up by studying disease processes but I know I will lack skills on the job. Since Im not in school anymore, and its been 2 yrs, im afraid nurses will look down on me or that I may lose my license for asking for help. What would you do in my situation? I was thinking about shadowing a red cross volunteer and watching them draw blood or shadowing someone at a nursing home, but Im afraid id lose my license admitting that I havent worked for 2 yrs as a nurse. Where or how can I start again? How would you approach or apply for shadowing another nurse? What types of jobs can I apply for that don't require complex skills? Which is easier to begin with (long term care, hospital, wound care, med nurse, clinic, home care, hospice, family Dr.)? Please answer honestly! I appreciate cold, critical blunt feedback also!

[fezz]

Congratulation on getting healthy enough to consider work. In some states you can do a refresher course at the University. In my state it is in fact mandatory for any nurse who has taken a 3 year break from nursing. You'll get back into it either way though. Get a job somewhere where they are willing to let you orient a for an extended period. I have taken much longer breaks that 2 years... so has many others who has decided to be a stay at home mom for a while etc.

[crazin01]

In some states you can do a refresher course at the University. In my state it is in fact mandatory for any nurse who has taken a 3 year break from nursing. You'll get back into it either way though. Get a job somewhere where they are willing to let you orient a for an extended period. I have taken much longer breaks that 2 years... so has many others who has decided to be a stay at home mom for a while etc.

Ditto.

I have no idea if this would be the reality anywhere, but could you

your nursing school and see if they have any connections, that might benefit you?

Maybe one of your instructors would be willing to help you out and allow you to review skills with him/her in the skills lab at school, offer a refresher course etc. The worst they can do is say 'sorry, we can't help!" and you are no worse for wear. I realize the odds of your school being able to & actually helping you are not the best (and yes, maybe I do try to be optimistic & I'm painting with rose-colored glasses.) However, it's a quick phone call/e-mail or visit to the school might be a good thing. Inquiring about such things at your previous school would demonstrate your commitment & desire to keep yourself up to date and current on skills.

Perhaps a fellow school colleague, or even an instructor, that could 'put in a good word for you. Especially because you stuck it out & completed school despite significant health issues would hopefully had made a positive impression to your school. (again, there's that optimism thing...)

As far as approaching management, just have to take the plunge and ask. A Simple google search should yield give you plenty of info on a variety of refresher courses. Perhaps your school recommends one or has input that would help you.

Glad to hear you've gotten your medical stuff addressed and are working on being 'normal' again. Best of luck... :)