Mature RN seeking guidance

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a Canadian RN in Texas......any others on here? Well I have been out of practice for 15yrs!! When I graduated I did not like nsg at all. I worked in a tele med floor and HATED going to wrk everyday! I felt like I didn't know anything and was scared to death everyday! Was this normal?? I tried a nsg home then left the field to raise a family. Since then I have many regrets of failure and now do not know what career path to choose. I wonder if I am now a "different" person and maybe if I take a refresher and try again, I just may find an area in nsg I like....but it's such a leap! :confused: Anyone else have similar situation or advice? I would be 42 and starting out as basically a new grad. :uhoh3: Or should I just work in retail?

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Try taking a refresher course and see if the passion comes alive!

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I have a friend that was out of nursing until her second two kids were in college. She's now working as a school nurse. She never did like nursing much, but that's what she went to school for, so made the best of it :) She seems to like school nursing :up: But more importantly, she went back after more than 20 years, and survived :twocents:

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For what it's worth the oldest person to graduate my program was 63! And there were lots of people in their 50's and even many more in their 40's. In fact I can say for a fact that the 30+ y/o students were the majority, not the minority. Follow your heart, if it's what you really want you CAN do it! Good luck.

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if that's what your heart tells you-then follow it! nursing profession is glad to have you back.

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Try taking a refresher course and see if the passion comes alive!

Yes I would like to.....unfortunately it costs $1500.....so quite a bit to waste if I don't like it :crying2:

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Since you were last a nurse, the internet has sprung up big time with many excellent nursing websites where you can read about all the different specialties. Try these sites for a start: http://www.nursingcenter.com/home/index.asp

http://www.discovernursing.com/home

YouTube.com has a lot of nursing videos about RN's experiences, and instructional videos, too. It might help to write about what drew you to nursing back then, and what your interests/goals are now. May your new direction become clearer...Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes I would like to.....unfortunately it costs $1500.....so quite a bit to waste if I don't like it :crying2:

Before you decide to write off a refresher course, depending on your state you maybe required to take on before you can return to work or reinstate your license if you let it lapse. Many hospitals require a refresher course to return to active nursing if out of active practice for a period of time. good luck

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

talk to the BON about whether or not you need a refresher course. If required, they have a list of programs in Texas and online. Nursing has changed a lot in 15 years and so have you. You will still be scared for a while, but in the past 15 years you have probably learned that stress does not always kill you! (assuming you have teenagers you know what I mean).

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

There are so many areas of nursing, I am sure you will find one you like. You invested all the time and money into your initial education, it would be a shame not to take the refresher course and start your career path in nursing. Good luck :)

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