Help! Waited too long after graduation.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 8, 2007

Several in my "GN group" have been RN's for a couple of months, but never worked - they, for a million and one reasons, waited to take their NCLEX and then waited to start work until they were licensed. We only have GN groups 2x a year, so they had to wait awhile. One girl graduated in May of last year, just got licensed last month and she had no problem getting hired - so I don't see why you couldn't get work once you got licensed.

SCRN1 · Feb 8, 2007

Check with where you went to school to see if you can sit in on some classes for free. I remember them telling us that we could come back and do that if we needed to. Of course you don't take tests or get credits for it, but maybe it will help to listen in. Also, you might want to look into taking a class that's offered at some nursing schools that refreshes you before taking the NCLEX. It's a little expensive, but might be worth it. Another thing is check in the bookstore of your school and see if they have the practice NCLEX questions books.

allele, LPN · Feb 8, 2007

I was going to suggest some sort of refresher course? I would imagine your state BON could help you out in finding one. They may be able to offer you some advice for your situation. I work with a young nurse that took over a year off right after graduation from her nursing program to care for her newly born son....she had no experience at all when she decided this. It took a lot of patience to orient her, but she is by far one of the best nurses we've got! Don't regret your decisions, just find out what to do now and move forward. I wish you the best of luck! :nurse:

dardeedee · Feb 8, 2007

I graduated from an ADN program 14 years ago. I recently decided to return to school to finish my BSN. I didn't finish it for a variey of reasons: financial, children still in school, no computer, and programs that wouldn't accept my credits without making me take classes over. I found a program, or it found me, that will accept my credits and give me credit for work experiences, all online. Plus, they will wait for tuition until I get reimbursed from my employer. I took my tax refund this year and purchased a really nice laptop. I decided to go back and get my BSN because I can't work on the floors forever. It's killing me. Good luck and best wishes. Take it one class or credit at a time. I only have 45 credits to go.

Jo Dirt · Mar 30, 2008

I actually had the NM at a hospital tell me to go take an RN refresher course because I have spent most of the last three years working as a private duty nurse (ergo, sitter).

That would be fine with me, hard thing is finding one.