Published Sep 11, 2006
dm22
49 Posts
could someone please explain to me exactly how an RN would go about maintaining their license if they were to work in a different career for awhile?
An example would be an RN who decides to teach 5th grade children for 5 years or so. Even though they are not doing any nursing type work, could they keep their license simply through continuing education?
catlady, BSN, RN
678 Posts
It depends on the state. Usually if you don't have any RN hours after a number of years, you have to take an RN refresher course. Any kind of nursing will keep you active, though; it doesn't have to be bedside nursing. Would the RN with the 5th graders be working as an elementary school teacher or as an RN teaching health?
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
88 Articles; 21,268 Posts
You might also try to continue working as an RN in a prn status. It is sometimes difficult to re-enter the nursing workforce after a prolonged stretch of not nursing. You might want to do a search here because there have been several posts on this subject.