What About my License?

Nurses General Nursing

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I need some opinions about what to do about my license. I just retired from nursing, not because of my age but because I'd had enough. I'm a few years shy of 60, with over 30 years of experience. I got a renewal notice from my BON and I'm not sure what to do. Should I go inactive, or retired? Or should I renew? I don't have enough CEU's to renew and I don't really care to get any. I hope to never have work as an RN again, but if money gets short I could potentially need to pick up a nursing job. What's your advice?

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You never know what lies ahead. Personally, I would renew (I guess you could take a chance on being audited about your CEs). Re-evaluate next round.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Look at your state's BON and see if there are significant differences in costs or requirements to re-activate either an inactive or retired license. If requirements are essentially the same, I'd go for retired status, so you don't have to worry about it if you choose not to practice again.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I would definitely leave the option open to return to RN work someday. You never know what you might need or want in the future.

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

I've never been in your shoes, and maybe after a long career, such as yours, and knowing for a fact that I would never return to nursing, I'd go with inactive status.

My theory on this and pretty much, anything in life:

It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it...

I know renewal is around $60 to $75 every 2 years in my state. I would definitely keep it active and renewal in the 2% chance of deciding to do something else in nursing. Having that peace of mind would, that if necessary you could still financially support yourself/family etc.

Congrats on a long successful career. Hope you are able to enjoy retirement (sorry, if that's not accurate)

Good luck to you...

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Always renew....

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Specializes in peds.

I'd renew to be safe until you hit social security age. Better safe than sorry. Sometimes the board has links to free or low cost ceus or you could find some approced ones on line.

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