returning to nursing

[nurse1995]

Two and a half years ago, We had a traumatic event in our life, we lost our youngest son to a car accident (head-on) and another woman was killed instantly, anyway to make a horrible story short, did you ever hear of the famous last words" I'm a nurse, i can handle it? I had been trained in trauma nursing, as i worked icu, and stepdown unit, for a short time. anyway, when your 0wn child is lying there broken, it is a different story. Because, as a mom, I couldn't do anything for him and as a nurse, I couldnt either, anyway, that gave me a horrible blow. He died Oct.24,2002, my husbands only other sibling died at age 45 Oct.23. 2001 the same way, head on. He was an R.N. on his way to surgery at Williamsport hospital, in our area. So I have been dealing with post traumatic stress. I am slowly making my way back. I am presently doing home care. But , I am ready to get out there and start making some real money now.! I miss being on the go. Do I need to take nursing credits anywhere? I have taken off for 2 years. But, my license is current, I wouldn't give that up for the world, I worked too hard for it.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

First, I want to say how terribly sorry I am about the loss of your precious son. When it is your own child, you are the Mom first, a nurse second. That is the way it is suposed to be. And...to have this loss come on the heels of your brother-in-law's death is terrible. As to coming back to hospital nursing - perhaps you might want to come to med-surg or a general floor before or if you want to return to trauma nursing. I wouldn't think you would need a refresher course unless you feel you need it. I think with an adequate orientation, you should do fine. Please take it slow. There is no time table for grief.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

My sincere condolences. I can't even begin to understand the depth of the tragedy in your life and I'm very sorry.

You have a current license and lots of experience. So as is mentioned above, just make sure you take a job with the understand that you get good orientatoin.

Best wishes.