Inactive RN wanting to return to practice... is it possible...?

Nurses Retired

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Hi there...

I am an inactive RN wanting to return to practice after 5 years of being a stay-at-home mommy. I do have a current license, but I have absolutely no confidence in my skills, knowledge, or ability to get a nursing position. With this in mind, I have an appointment to meet with the dean of a local nursing school later on this week (my alma mater). What is the environment like for inexperienced RN's... pay... likelihood for employment... etc... I want to work for an acute care hospital and I do not have any intentions on working for an agency (I really got burned by one right before I left practice... a topic for an entire thread of its own...)

Thank you for reading my comments, and I will greatly appreciate any input that I receive.

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend, and smile often...

Kathryn

hi! i was inspired by the article...since i am a second degree course, graduated last '07 and passed the board june '07..as of now am still into job hunting...btw, am already 45 years old..waiting for the petition of my husband...am into job hunting for i want also to help my husband and of course enhance my experience..but sad to say in this country of ours...age discremination is so rampant...i've worked as a volunteer...and need to stop for i need to earn...is there somebody who can help me????

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Specializes in ICU.

i recently precepted a returning RN who was out of the buisness for 16 years raising kids. i had to start from scratch. she even forgot some of the terminology. i took my time with her, held her hand, always talked to her throughout the day explaining the why's of what i was doing and made it a point of asking her after each shift what she thought of the day. she did great! her orientation took a few extra weeks than normal but she's a functioning, caring ICU nurse now. i think the biggest thing for someone returning is to have an open mind, go to where the action is and watch and do what they are able to preform well. it builds confidence, gains experience. she's now volunteering to take incoming codes, knowing she'll never really be alone. she wasn't afraid to ask questions.....they may have driven me nuts at the time, but it was my job as her preceptor to set her up for success. set little goals for yourself. #1 should be to get functional. find a system that works for you, stay organized, and be TASK oriented. easedrop on your co-workers as they talk about different patients. some of the best tid bits of knowledge come in the most casual ways. it comes down to how bad you want it.......want it and you'll do great to! :nurse:

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Specializes in OB, Postpartum, Nicu, Psych, Substance a.

I am a multispecialty RN BSN, MA Hosp admin. Phd Economics. My liscense is inactive in AZ but am ready to relocate immediatly to fill any position as long as no nights. What I need is something that can offer me emplyement and assist in reactivate my RN liscense?

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I hear you on the "confidence" statement. I am already having visions of getting yelled at.

I know I am smart and highly functional, I just haven't drawn blood in 9 years!

Good luck, I'm in the same boat!

Teresa

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i recently precepted a returning rn who was out of the buisness for 16 years raising kids. i had to start from scratch. she even forgot some of the terminology. i took my time with her, held her hand, always talked to her throughout the day explaining the why's of what i was doing and made it a point of asking her after each shift what she thought of the day. she did great! her orientation took a few extra weeks than normal but she's a functioning, caring icu nurse now. i think the biggest thing for someone returning is to have an open mind, go to where the action is and watch and do what they are able to preform well. it builds confidence, gains experience. she's now volunteering to take incoming codes, knowing she'll never really be alone. she wasn't afraid to ask questions.....they may have driven me nuts at the time, but it was my job as her preceptor to set her up for success. set little goals for yourself. #1 should be to get functional. find a system that works for you, stay organized, and be task oriented. easedrop on your co-workers as they talk about different patients. some of the best tid bits of knowledge come in the most casual ways. it comes down to how bad you want it.......want it and you'll do great to! :nurse:

how i wish all nurses would be like you so that inactive nurses like me won't be afraid in going back to the field...we need nurses who are as supportive and welcoming as you!!!bless your heart!:redbeathe

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why that happaned

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Specializes in PEDS-HEM/ONC.

I am returning after 16 years!!! I worked in pediatric oncology for 4 years and left to have my daughters. I've been handling the accounting in our family business all these years, but have always wanted to go back. Two weeks ago I contacted the director of the unit I left all those years ago and she met with me right away. She had already spoken with the nurse educator and they had a program in place for me.

Everthing seems to be falling into place. I am ending my current job in a week and will have 8 weeks off before my employment begins. I have signed up for some nursing classes that I found online and in nursing magazines. I will be taking IV certification, BLS, EKG interpretation, PALS and Chemo and biotherapies classes over the next few weeks. Although I am really nervous, I am anxious to get going. I know I was a good nurse and it is the only thing missing in my life. I loved my career and was so proud to be a nurse. I am so looking forward to getting back in the saddle.

I wish you luck in your search for the right position. It seems it would be just as easy to retrain an experienced nurse as it would to train a new grad. I would suggest you look for some local classes to help brush up on your skills.

Good Luck.

Karen

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Here's my two-cents for what it's worth. This is the Dallas-Ft Worth area. Have not done active HOSPITAL nursing for about 8 years as I had gone onto managing ambulatory clinics, consulting; QA/Risk Mgmt; aesthetics in the past 7-8 years. Got tired of the management gig and am wanting to just go back to working as a 'staff nurse' for no other reason except that it's easier than management, leadership, politicsblah blah. (No insults meant here as ANY nursing position is HARD WORK!). Okay, so the DFW area (as with a lot of areas within the US) is having difficulties with staffing hospitals. I'm ready to go; I know I have the hands on that I need; I'm comfortable with my skills, I know there is new technology, lotsa new stuff, and I agree that a good orientation with a self-assessment at the end is quite useful and probably all that is necessary for most nurses hitting the ramp again. Nursing is nursing and unless you've not kept up with your CEUs or remaining knowledgeable of your profession and the changes that have gone on during your 'inactivity,' there really shouldn't be any big deal getting back into the groove again. (Yes, there is some need to orient to newer equipment, orientation to the way things might be done, different types of staff and staffing, etc etc. And.....there are some nurses who might be more comfortable with a more lengthy refresher, but each nurse should know what her limits and capabilities are and what she needs to work on to get rolling again).

THAT SAID, what do I hear from the 'LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT' at the hospitals doing the hiring? Here it comes:

"You haven't done hospital nursing in awhile so we want you to go to a refresher course" (aw right, not so keen on that, but whatever it takes...). How do i get a refresher course? Oh....that's 'easy'. Just go to the local community college and sign up for the course (which I'm told is 16 weeks long and costs 2700.00 AND.....here's another one for ya.....after the first 2-3 weeks of the refresher course, one HAS to work at one of the local hospitals a full shift (D-N-E's), three times per week, UNPAID while attending the CC so that I can become 'refreshed'.

And they wonder why they can't keep nurses!?!?!?! OMG. We have met the enemy.....and they is us. :eek:

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I have been out of the nursing field for about 10 years and have been trying to return. I've submitted several applications along with my resume, and I've felt very brushed off and lost. I've even been treated rudely by a few nurse managers. I realize returning will require hard work and retraining, and I'm prepared for that. I wasn't prepared for such an unwelcomed response by hospitals. I think my experience as an RN is valuable and I have a lot more to offer the nursing field. It makes me sad and frustrated that no one seems to want to give me a chance.:scrying:

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I have been out of practice for 15 years in NJ. All I have to do is pass the nclex again- no mandatory clinical- scary, huh? I called local home health agencies, and they are more than willing to precept. I do plan on completing an online theory course. Good Luck!!!

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I graduated in 2006, took the exam in december and got my license in february 2007. i passed the CGFNS in the same year and had a 4 months training in a 276-bed capacity tertiary hospital. After that i worked as a customer service representative coz i felt like it would help me prepare for my IELTS exam which i did pass with a total bond score of 7.5, (no rating of below 7 in any subtest). I also have a dialysis training certificate and IV therapy certificate.

For 1 year and 2 mos i had been nursing a grandmother who had a stroke. I did the following tasks:

*IV insertion

*catheter replacement

*O2 administration

*suctioning of secretions

*V/S monitoring

*medication administration

*NGT feeding

*NGT insertion

*maintaining good/proper hygiene

*ROM exercises

Im eager to find a job coz my aunt who's supporting my grandmother's needs is starting to get broke. I've sent a lot of applications to different agencies but it's either they accept my applications and make me wait for nothing or they tell me straightforward that they cannot accept me for having no proper hospital experience.

Does anybody here know any hospital that hires nurses with the qualifications similar to that of mine?...

i hope you'd get to read my post and take time to give any feedback.

thanks.

nursey2007

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Oh my gosh, we'd hire you now. I live in a rural area in Northern California though -

Steph, thanks for your reply. I am another forum user in the somewhat the same situation as "Spidey's Mom," hope you don't mind my jumping in on your thread. I've been away from nursing for five years also, my last job was in med-surg. I wish I could move to your locale and take part in your "grow your own" philosophy; that is exactly the kind of attitude I'm after - finding an institution that will put some time and effort into developing my career, even as I do my best for them. I've been neglectful of my contacts in the field, which have grown cold - and sort of unsure of how to proceed at getting things started back up again. I took and passed a refresher course in 2007, but couldn't return to the field then, due to a series of medical emergencies with a couple of relatives. My license is valid in my home state. Everything is good to go now, though, and I am ready to jump back into the field. I am willing to work as a PCT or aide, if necessary, as a transition back into full-fledged bedside nursing care. If it is germane, I am an athletic man, by the way, and always got called for helping move/reposition heavy patients.

Thanks for your advice and input, both are appreciated!

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