Is there anyone that can coach a nurse that has been away for 24 years?

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i am also an older rn. i have not worked in nursing for 24 years. i have been researching and agonizing over what action to take to get back to an area of nursing that i could be comfortable in. friends and family are tired of hearing me talk about it...they want action.

i am looking for some flexibility in the position. i would like to start out in a part time position.

i interviewed for a recovery room nurse in a surgery center last week. i asked the director of nurses if i could shadow the head nurse to see if i would be comfortable in the unit and to get a feel for working in a "fast pace" area. i am doing that on wednesday to see what i think. has anyone worked in that area? what advice to you have for me.

i am very nervous because i have not had a refresher course. i cannot find one in the palm desert area. i also looked into finding one when i lived in newport beach, ca. there were no programs listed on the bon that had practical classroom experience as a part of the program.

i am also nervous about taking the bls (basic life support) and acls (advanced cardiac life support) classes that are required to work in the rr. i am very grateful that i have the internet to answer all my questions re the material. i even had to look up to find out what the acronym acls was.

i think it is important to spend some time in the area before one invests a lot of time and money in taking classes. what other areas would you suggest?

i also looked into working in a lthc facility in skilled nursing. the patient ratio is higher than in the hospital and i was overwhelmed when i heard the job description and the high patient to nurse ratio of 10-13 patients for each nurse.

i welcome any feedback or suggestions.

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

...I applaud you in wanting to re-enter your profession!! Go ahead and take the BLS, even non-medical people take it. You may have to take a Basic Dysrhymia class at a local hospital before ACLS. Also, some hospitals have what is called "life savers". They are RNs who do not give meds or start IVs. They work 3-6 hour shifts as admission nurse, admitting pts. and getting the first assessment, sign off admit orders, and report to the pts primary nurse. You could then go from there to more involvement at your pace.

...but the fact that the facility is willing for you to shadow someone is good! Let us know how it works out!

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jackie53Thanks for your words of encouragement and good advice.

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

My unit has a nurse on evenings who started back last year after ten years out of the profession. I would not have guessed that she was out for so long. Her biggest challenges are the work pace (afternoons are heck) and that her work week is 4-5 days instead of 3.

If a facility is willing to let you shadow prior to actually hiring you, that's a good sign. I would ask if they'd let you go through a new grad type orientation with a preceptor, so you can get back on your feet in a couple months instead of a few weeks. And it sounds like your idea of part time is a good one, since even if the work is really difficult for you, you'll have some time to recuperate during the off days.

"Basic Cardiac Dysrythmias" is an excellent pre-book to do prior to ACLS. It's designed as a workbook, and starts out at the very beginning, whereas ACLS books generally start far from the beginning. Another suggestion would be that nursing magazine "made easy" and I forgot the whole name of the magazine. It's always got good articles that explain pathophysiology, new stuff, etc. in an understandable, plain-english format. We keep having articles from it posted for us to read on my unit; I'm about ready to subscribe 'cause I want to know what I'm missing.

Best of luck to you in your return to nursing!

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Maybe an office position might be a good fit to start out with.

Also- (speaking as another olser nurse)-get yourself in the best physical condition possible before you start. You'll need all the endurance (and immunity) you can muster!

Good luck. I'm sure you've gotta lot of good years in you!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I went to the nursing school at COD in the Palm Desert area back in 1973. If you are talking about the hospital down there that I'm thinking about, they are very good about giving people a chance so I would go with it. You are kind of in an isolated area so I understand your dilemma with a refresher course. Is it possible that you could persuade the dean over at COD to let you sit in or audit some of the nursing courses? Even if it's LPN classes. I heard they had evening classes and maybe weekend classes as well. I'm living up here in Arcadia now and I know that Azusa Pacific has a refresher course that runs about $600 and clinicals are done at either Methodist Hospital in Arcadia or Pasadena. I believe they are only once a week. For one day a week couldn't you drive up here, take a motel room and get through the course? The only other alternative I can think of is to talk to the deans of nursing at either Loma Linda or Cal State San Bernardino which are closer than Azusa and see if they have any ideas. PM me. Is it possible we might know each other? I graduated in 1975 and worked in both EMC and DH until I moved out of the area in 1981.

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Dear Indy,

Thank you for your encouragement, feedback and suggestions. I am going to buy the "Basic Cardiac Dysrythmias" book and look into reading the magazine too.

Tnis has been the best website. I wish I had found it a years ago.

It really lifts ones spirits to know that there are so many caring helpful strangers. Now I don't feel alone in my journey.

PS Thanks also to Chaya & Daytonite

Mees

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Take a refresher course, and do it. They have great preceptor programs in many big teaching hospitals. I have been away from nursing for 40 years, and I am going back. Like you, I need a great mentor. I am in school for my master's, and I will need a great NP mentor. "Who knows how many more years any of us will be here? We may as well be doing something we love." Now that I am in school, I am even considering research. Or maybe working with the developmentally disabled-I have 25 years experience as a teacher. I LOVE SCHOOL, and this is a real journey for me. It makes me feel strong and happy and alive. I just love it!!!! Someone advised me to check with the VA Hospital for a good preceptor. There are tons of great suggestions on this thread if you can search for them. I was thinking of looking in my state to find out about ways to find a NP Mentor. My teacher said I was very resourceful, and I think we have to be that way. It is not going to come and find us! lol Oh, and I got my first grade-A on paper and A in course! I could never have done that in my 20's-never! I got a D in Organixc Chem!:uhoh3: :uhoh3:

Good Luck to you. Too bad there aren't more reentry programs! If anyone knows of any, please let me know.

Krisssy RN forever

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I recently took a refresher course. (In my home state of AR) Feel free to PM me if you want.

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