How do you quit nursing?

Published

My husband got a good job making triple what he makes now. I have a young child and want to stay home. In my state you cannot make your license inactive, so what do I do? Don't you have to work so many hours a year to keep your RN license? I was thinking you had to work some hours. I currently do not work anywhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Inactive status isn't an option in my state either, but I think you can still renew your license even if you're not working. I remember a section when I just renewed mine where they ask about where and how much you work, and one of the options was that you are not currently working in nursing.

So, I'm not 100% sure since I don't know what state you're in, but I think you can keep it active without working. Then if you ever wanted to go back several years down the road, you could just take a refresher course and be good to go.

Congrats and enjoy being a SAHM! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Hospice.

Some states allow you to take continuing education credits to keep your license active. Contact your state BON or go to their website and look at the licensing laws.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Typically you need to maintain an RN license by meeting the individual state BON requirements for continuing education, not active practice. Upon returning to practice after a lapse most employers (not the state BON) would require that you take a refresher course/program. These requirements would be posted on the BON website. It is essential that you contact your state BON to find out the specific requirements.

Enjoy your time at home with your child. I made that choice when my son was young and do not regret it for one second. However, I was able to maintain contact with practice on a very limited basis that did not impact the time spent at home. As much as I loved my child, I needed some continued contact with nursing, but I was able to do it on my terms.

Just an FYI, do maintain your RN license, don't let it lapse as no one has a crystal ball that can look into the future and renewing a lapsed license can be quite involved, including retaking the NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You received excellent advice. Good luck. I would do what I could to keep that license active; you never know what the future holds and when you may need it .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

A very wise nursing instructor told us to do whatever was necessary to keep our intial license active. Having moved a number of times and having applied for licensure by endorsement in 4 other states, I have found this advice to be invaluable. If you ever need to go back to work, either in your home state, or elsewhere, it will be much easier to do so with your initial license active and in good standing.

That said, many states now require current practice in order to renew a license. If yours requires this, you may want to stay on with your employer in a prn status and work an occasional weekend shift. If CEUs are required, keep them up, as that is relatively cheap and easy to do.

Enjoy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do look up your state requirements.

My state, Wisconsin, requires that I pay for my license renewal every two years. That's it. I have to do more to keep my EMT license current than I do for my nursing license.

As Leda mentioned, employers are another matter. If you are out only a few years and are going back to the area you previously worked, a refresher may not be necessary. If, however, you are out for a while or are switching specialties, a refresher could help you get back into the flow and make you more marketable as well.

I wish you and your family well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion