long time away from nursing!

suzanne4, RN · May 13, 2004

First, let me welcome you to Allnurses.com.

Second, many states are now moving towards a five year cut-off.

Things have changed so much since you actually worked as a nurse.

Few examples: computerized charting, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery where the patients are recovered similar to a patient who has had lung surgery, stereotactic brain surgery, Gamma Knife procedures, just to name a few.

More than likely, I would suspect that any state will make you take your boards again. And this is new also. Standardized exam that is good for the entire US and done on computer.

Good luck................ :balloons:

mattsmom81 · May 13, 2004

So I take it you no longer have a nursing license in the US? I would guess that is your BON's concern. If you had stayed in the US and kept up your CEU's and license, and had done part time homecare,a refresher course would be the only likely remediation for returning to practice.

Good luck to you! If you can't get your license back you can always work for agencies or self employ as a private duty caregiver.

Dixiedi · May 13, 2004

So I take it you no longer have a nursing license in the US? I would guess that is your BON's concern. If you had stayed in the US and kept up your CEU's and license, and had done part time homecare,a refresher course would be the only likely remediation for returning to practice.
Good luck to you! If you can't get your license back you can always work for agencies or self employ as a private duty caregiver.

How could she work for an agency Unless you mean in a non-nursing capacity.

Shame you weren't licensed in Ohio, at least for the next (about) year, the only thing you would need is current CEU requirements to reactivate your license. Wow, I thought I was out for a long time when I decided to come back!

Repat · May 13, 2004

I graduated in 1985, worked for a year in psych, and moved overseas where I worked in research at a medical school (my title was Research Associate, not nurse). I returned to the US 15 years later, and was able to reactivate my two licenses and obtain a new one after completing a refresher course (which was great for my self confidence, if nothing else!) and some CEUs (I concentrated on drugs and lab tests, as they are things that have changed ALOT). I have worked on a busy (understatement) telemetry floor for the last two years, and it didn't take me as long to get up to speed as I thought it might. I still find some of the things we are allowed to do amazing (pulling central lines, for one), but you learn and do. I love being back!! Good luck to you - let us know what happens!

sparkyluv · May 14, 2004

Thanks for everyones comments...of course i am aware of all the many changes in nursing ovre the years and that is one of the reasons why i myself wasnt even thinking of being capable of returning to the profession!

All the nurses I know were all for it but i think they just werent aware of the requirements.!!

Actually i am thinking of doing something like caregiver work since this is something which i have experience in and definately would have more confidence in.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.

Sparkyluv

Trauma Columnist · May 14, 2004

Hi - welcome to allnurses!

krisssy · May 14, 2004

Thanks for everyones comments...of course i am aware of all the many changes in nursing ovre the years and that is one of the reasons why i myself wasnt even thinking of being capable of returning to the profession!
All the nurses I know were all for it but i think they just werent aware of the requirements.!!
Actually i am thinking of doing something like caregiver work since this is something which i have experience in and definately would have more confidence in.
Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.
Sparkyluv

I graduated in 1970 and worked for two years as a school nurse. So I haven't worked as a nurse since 1972. I renewed my license by taking two CEU courses online from Nursing Spectrum. Taking the boards again was not required in my state. Then I took a refresher course at a local college. I did quite well. I have been studying pharmacology and dosage calculations on my own. I am just about ready to get a job. I want to specialize in psych or neonatal. I intend to work in a hospital that has a good orientation program and one that allows me to work with a preceptor for as long as necessary. You can do it. It is never too late. krisssy

mattsmom81 · May 15, 2004

Wow..I'm amazed that some nurses here have returned after 10-15+ yrs out with no problems from their BON's...guess ya learn something new every day (and guess we can thank the 'nursing shortage' for something, eh...LOL)

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · May 15, 2004

Even though you have been away from nursing, you are still ahead of those of us who are in school (or getting ready to enter school) with no background at all.

It does seem reasonable that you would have to take the NCLEX, but consider taking a review course and do it! A couple of hundred for the course, the same for the exam--much less expensive than going back to school, and you could accomplish this in a few months.

Do take the refresher as well--skills can get really rusty and the gadgets and improvements in equipment are phenomenal.

But do come back! And welcome to allnurses.com!

bargainhound, RN · May 15, 2004

delete thanks

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · May 15, 2004

This seems very judgemental.

Wow, I don't get that at all. At most, that response just seemed conversational. My understanding of that post was that due to the nursing shortage, it may be easier to get back into nursing after a lengthy hiatus. Really almost seems kind of like a reasonable conclusion.....

But then, I'm in the group that feels that threads ought to stay on topic and not wander off into who seems judgmental, critical, stupid, etc.