LVN 'skill updating' Options/Refresher Courses?

LPN1974, LPN · Mar 9, 2005

Hello
I have searched & searched, but am having such a hard time finding LVN "refresher" courses! There seems to be some up in Northern CA/San Francisco area..but none in the Southern CA/Orange County area. (I live in Orange County-Southern CA, but could travel a reasonable distance on a short term basis, if needed.) So, I am putting out a call for help! If you know of ANYWHERE that I can update my skills..take a refresher course or ??? PLEASE let me know. If neccesary, I will do an online course...but would like something where I could update my clinical/hands on skills too. I have contacted the BVNPT, they were of no help. I have come accross a FEW 'NCLEX/PN' type review courses that call themselves 'refresher courses', but that is not really what I am looking for. I have found a few 'refresher' courses for foreign trained nurses, and many courses for RN's..but what about the rest of us? Seems strange that with a nursing shortage there are so few courses available. I do have a current license, and work in home care. Its just that I never worked in a hospital (and still don't plan too)... and I feel that my many years at only 'simple, minimal skill needed' cases have done me a great disservice. Now I am afraid to apply anywhere else or try new cases. If I could take a refrsher course, I would gain the confidence & 're-education' I need to move forward. Any ideas, leads ect. would be GREATLY appreciated. THANKS
Patricia

I live in Arkansas, and I too, have looked for refresher courses. I just don't understand why even the small community colleges, or vo-techs, as we call them here, do not offer a refresher course.

I graduated in 1974, so it has been a looooong time that I've been out of school, and I've been on the same job for 25 years, I would never feel like I was qualified anymore to work in a hospital setting. I went to work in a LTC for a couple of years as a part time second job, and actually learned alot and updated some thru that, but I never did get much experience with the IV pumps.

The new nurses graduating today seem to come out with so much more than I received in school.

I think there is a refresher course in my state, but it's so far for me to travel, I'd have to take off for a couple of weeks to attend, and then I would have motel expenses, etc, in addition to the cost of the course.

I even checked into the vo-tech close to home to see if they would just let me attend the pharmacology course for the LPN program and the answer was no.

I also feel that thru my many years on the same job, in MR/DDS, I have lost many skills, however, it is to my benefit for the future that I stayed there, for retirement, etc.

I don't know what the solution is.....I guess they want you to go on to RN school to update your skills, but I just can't afford to do that, nor do I want to at my age.

I found an online program, called a refresher course, cost was $500.00 but I just can't spend that much money to something online and not really know what I'm getting for my money. I've lost the link for it now.

BTW, I used to live in Bellflower, and North Long Beach area, back in the 70's.

In fact, I was first licensed by CA. I went to LPN school in Arkansas, then we moved to CA, and I took boards there in CA.

I miss being in CA, for the educational opportunities. There were community colleges all around close to where we lived, but I never did take advantage of those opportunities. I wasn't interested at the time. Now I am, and traveling distance is further here.

Oh, well, one day soon, I'll be retired.

dustydog · Mar 9, 2005

I'm having (have had) the same problem. I took an online refresher course a few years ago, however, when it came to the hands-on skill portion of it I was unprepared for having hospitals turn me down flat for any preceptorship in updating skills. I had an active license, offered to work for free in return for some skills updating. I wasted my $500.00 as I had nowhere to get "hands on" and the person I took the course from did not offer any help on arranging assistance in this vital area. I agree, it's wierd that they don't have a refresher course at any of the community colleges close by when the hospitals are yelling for nurses. Also, it'd be great if institutions could give us an opportunity to update our skills in maybe a re-orienting/preceptorship type program. An intensive 6 weeks program could put alot of us back to work.