How long can I wait?

luv4nursing · Nov 12, 2006

I graduated nursing school in 2004. I worked in a doctor's office after graduation but did no hands on care. I worked there for approx. 1 year. I am now working in a school but doing no nursing. My question is how long can I wait to get back into nursing without having to take refresher courses? I am very confident in my abilities and have stayed current on things through rereading books, reading nursing journals, and through here of course. What is your opinion? TIA

I think you will still be ok, it will probably just take you a little time to get into the swing of things. Im in a similar situation bc I graduated last fall but ever since then Ive been working in Peds home care, which is pretty much an overpaid babysitter in my situation. Ive been on the same case the whole time where I get most of my hours, my patient is very stable, etc. so I feel Im getting no skills practice. Its easy to get comfortable and lazy in home health. Im going back to get my RN in January so hopefully Ill get my skills back. If I were you, I would try to get a job working like a day a week in a facility so you will get to use your skills. You know what they say, if u dont use them, u lose them.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 14, 2006

I am also in a similar situation, except that I have only been a nurse since June of this year. I worked as an aide in a hospital clinic, and the hospital paid my way to go to school. When I returned, they brought me right back to the clinic. I do more things, such as medicate and do a great deal of patient teaching, but, I only had two months of med-surg experience. I am a bit scared to work the floors because I do believe that working the clinic is safer for me and actually, I prefer it to working the floors.

Each job SHOULD have an orientation, and try to look for one that has at least a month of experience. I was told that if a job offers less than a month, then, run for the hills.