LPN back in the game

Take a refresher course. It will get you up to speed and show potential employers, you are serious and motivated 

colleen69 said:

Take a refresher course. It will get you up to speed and show potential employers, you are serious and motivated 

Thank you. Do you have a recommendation for this course?

Davey Do said:

As a brand new LPN back in January 1984, since the SNF didn't have an open LPN position, I was hired on as a CNA. Working in this position, I was able to slide into the goings on of the facility, which gave great experience once a nursing position opened up.

I worked at the SNF for three months as an LPN when a hospital position opened at a local facility. I worked at that hospital for seven years before getting my RN and moving on.

With nursing, ANY experience in the field is beneficial.

Good luck, Hippiemama!

Thank you , I appreciate your input.

nursel56 said:

Hi Hippiemama! First, congrats on the birth of your fourth baby! I faced a similar situation with a much longer "mommy track" but financial woes made a job mandatory at the time, so I took a deep breath and jumped in the water. 

I had kept my license on inactive status (meaning in my state you continue to pay fees but don't need to take the NCLEX-PN over again, just the CE requirements)

While that simplified things my knowledge base was so out of date I was overwhelmed. My textbooks were in a box in the attic I think. What ended up working for me was to just start filling out applications and doing interviews. Even a job you think is a no-go can be the one where you just click with the staff and they're willing to help get you up to speed.

Instead of trying to relearn everything (unless you need to take the entire licensing exam again), I did very targeted online research relating to each specific interview. While I ended up in private duty for vent patients due to the more flexible schedule, I had a job offer on the front burner at a nearby cancer hospital as well. 

Lastly, I needed to be honest with myself about my family support system in terms of meshing the non-negotiable realities of being a parent and each job or unit you are considering. It can be tempting to downplay that if everything else about the job seems positive. All the best!

Thank you. I have been on YouTube looking up PN reviews and practicals but I will definitely watch videos on specific skills according to the job I'm applying for. I liked home health with peds last time, and I think for going back into the field maybe working one pt at a time will benefit me more than taking many in a LTC facility. 

What I would emphasize when taking a job is that you ask if it's possible to take a new grad track, or one with extra orientation, and get a little more orientation than someone with experience.  I think all the basic skills you will need will come back to you and perhaps you would need to review medications, new wound care dressings and be trained on newer equipment.

Florida has plenty of LTC jobs if you need to do that get your foot in the door of experience but don't be surprised at the lower wages compared to other states.

Good luck!