Need advice about re-entering nursing after stay at home mom

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2004

All nursing is stressful to some degree. I would start by calling the nurse recruiters in the facilities you mentioned. Ask them about possible courses for re-entry nurses. Do they have orientation programs? Can you tag along with the new GN's for a week or two? Can you get a preceptor and for how long? They will want to know how earnest you are about working, so be prepared for questions regarding how many hours per week, etc. you want to work. Will you work nights or weekends? Personally, I would not go to extremes for someone wanting a part-time job, but will stretch our resources for someone wanting to make nursing a career, as opposed to a "job" to do now and then. Let them know how you feel about working and they might be able to guide you along. Good luck.

Town & Country · Dec 24, 2004

It hasn't been THAT long.

I would just try to get a FT Med/Surg position. Work and take some classes, like basic EKG and whatever your education dept. offers.

Once you are back in FT M/S, you will adjust. Just make sure you have a good orientation period.

I don't think you need any kind of "refresher" course; it hasn't been that long.

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 25, 2004

In our area there are short refresher courses for re-entry nurses. You go to clinicals and everything. I work with a nurse who was away from nursing for 18 yrs. and she did it. Said it was the best thing she could have done.

Good luck!

JNT'smom · Dec 26, 2004

I guess it just feels like it's been a long time. I know it will come back pretty quickly, it's just making that first step. Thanks.

rnpilot · Dec 26, 2004

I was out for 10 years and just returned. Although previously in NICU, I took an OR position at a university hospital that required no prior experience and offered a 6 month orientation program. It's been great and it's not an area a refresher would have really helped much prepare for the job. With the nursing shortage, I think your chances of finding a job are good.

countrymom · Jan 2, 2005

Hi...have you thought about hospice? I live in central Fl also and briefly had a need to go back to work last year (I am a s-a-h mom, too). I called Hospice of the Comforter and they were wonderful! They allowed me to work my preferred schedule (prn) and let me have plenty of time to get back on my feet. The pay is not the best, but the work was wonderful. The pace is very laid back and it was also very rewarding.

JNT'smom · Jan 3, 2005

Countrymom, can you tell me more about Hospice? I've thought about that before, but don't know a lot about it. Is it like home health, what do you do?

countrymom · Jan 3, 2005

Countrymom can you tell me more about Hospice? I've thought about that before, but don't know a lot about it. Is it like home health, what do you do?[/quote']
Yes, it is like home health. Very, very low tech. I had to do some stoma care, urinary caths, wound care but never saw an IV. If you like people, it is a wonderful job. You get to know your patients and their families and make a difference in their experience of the person's death. I was in attendence as people died...very peaceful and quiet, not at all as I would have imagined. The families really come to rely on the nurse as death is very frightening for them. Believe me, I was scared at first, but there is so much support back at the main office, you don't even have to know what to do, they will walk you through everything.
If I ever have to go back to work, that is the first place I would go. The pay is not nearly as good as hospital work, but you really have a very stress-less job in comparison. My biggest complaint about nursing in the past was the stress. I gladly made less and actually enjoyed what I was doing.
Is there any way we can exchange emails without putting it on here? I can give you the name of the DON and tell you some more if you would like.
Hope that helps!

caba35 · Jan 10, 2005

I was out for 10 years and just returned. Although previously in NICU, I took an OR position at a university hospital that required no prior experience and offered a 6 month orientation program. It's been great and it's not an area a refresher would have really helped much prepare for the job. With the nursing shortage, I think your chances of finding a job are good.

I would like to know what part of the country you are in. I just posted re reentry (1/9/5). I would love to find such a position. I'm confident that with a little orientation/training I will quickly re-adapt. Please respond.

caba

caba35 · Jan 10, 2005

Hi...have you thought about hospice? I live in central Fl also and briefly had a need to go back to work last year (I am a s-a-h mom, too). I called Hospice of the Comforter and they were wonderful! They allowed me to work my preferred schedule (prn) and let me have plenty of time to get back on my feet. The pay is not the best, but the work was wonderful. The pace is very laid back and it was also very rewarding.

How long were you out of nursing?

caba

KRITSI · Mar 23, 2005

I was out for 10 years and just returned. Although previously in NICU, I took an OR position at a university hospital that required no prior experience and offered a 6 month orientation program. It's been great and it's not an area a refresher would have really helped much prepare for the job. With the nursing shortage, I think your chances of finding a job are good.

I am so glad I stumbled upon this thread! (I'm new to the site and still have trouble navigating through, so hope this reply posts). In response to our stay-at-home-mom and re-entry, all your responses have been encouraging and supportive. I'm responding here because my situation is a little different, but the re-entry journey for me has been painful and disappointing. I, too, am "ten years out," so declared by nurse recruiters, but not for the same reasons. I am an active R.N. with 27 years cumulative experience, but the last ten years have been in gero-psych. My work has been pre-admission and post-discharge so I did a lot of community-based education and clinical follow-up. If you've been around, you know behavioral healthcare is constantly changing because of reimbursement issues and therefore vulnerable. My position was eliminated Oct '04. I know I must transition out of behavioral health but no hospital will consider me in an acute setting without 1 yr. "recent acute care experience." I still haven't found a job! It's ridiculous! Even my psych stuff was off campus, so not even acute enough for another in-pt psych unit. Huh? I interviewed today with my local university hospital (UCI, southern California), and they had no idea what I meant when I asked about re-entry programs or preceptorships, in fact they all say that. I happen to find an ad for a nurse refresher program in one of our journals, and that got me thinking, buts it's VERY expensive and very far away. You are one of the lucky ones because you worked in a critical care area, even though 10 yrs. back, you have what everyone wants. I'm a little surprised your O.R. didn't require experience, they sure do here, but maybe your teaching hospital really teaches. By the way, if I do accept a med/surg position, I have been offered a salary less than a new-grad because they are considered "0 to 5 years out" and I am a whopping "10+." Thanks for letting me vent, sorry so long.