Getting into nursing - long hiatus after the degree

[Job_Seeker]

I received my nursing degree over 5 years ago, but never practiced nursing. I started a family right after school and continued working a very flex schedule in another peripherally-related field due to economics and personal health reasons.

I am trying to make a career switch into nursing now, and I am wondering where to begin. Any thoughts on the best possible path?

1. I am happy with LTC roles in more remote areas, but in Massachusetts, even those seem to require previous experience.

2. I am open to enrollment in an "RN Refresher" program, but want to feel somewhat confident that it'll work before spending the money.

3. I am okay starting out as a CNA, but I have heard that this is not a viable option/desirable position for potential employers if you already have an RN (due to liability, etc).

Any thoughts? Is the thought of getting into nursing flat-out hopeless?

[ruralgirl08]

I've seen a refresher program nurse come through my unit and get hired out of their clinical expereince. (They also had 13yrs expereince before their hiatus). You need some experience...I would look into that avenue. Hopefully you will get more responses from nurses who have actually done this.

[kemifair]

I received my nursing degree over 5 years ago, but never practiced nursing. I started a family right after school and continued working a very flex schedule in another peripherally-related field due to economics and personal health reasons.

I am trying to make a career switch into nursing now, and I am wondering where to begin. Any thoughts on the best possible path?

1. I am happy with LTC roles in more remote areas, but in Massachusetts, even those seem to require previous experience.

2. I am open to enrollment in an "RN Refresher" program, but want to feel somewhat confident that it'll work before spending the money.

3. I am okay starting out as a CNA, but I have heard that this is not a viable option/desirable position for potential employers if you already have an RN (due to liability, etc).

Any thoughts? Is the thought of getting into nursing flat-out hopeless?

Same here, I got my degree 5 years ago and I just got license in march I have been searching for a job ever since. I don't know about refresher course.