Need feedback , refresher RN course

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Hi guys, I need some feedback on something. I had an interview at a hospital just last week for an RN II position (which used to be entry-level at this hospital). I did not get the job, and according to the nurse recruiter, it was because I did not take any classes during the time I wasn't working (I really didn't have the money to take extra classes). She suggested that I take an RN refresher course and re-interview.

A little info about my career history: I graduated last March 2007, passed my NCLEX October 2007 (thus, I still don't need to take CE's, but was planning on doing so after I renewed my license) and because I have not received my work permit until Sept 2008, I wasn't able to work right away.

Some of my friends said go ahead and take the course, some say I shouldn't even need to do it as my license is still active... I would personally like to take the refresher but the fees are steep, so I have to really think it through....any suggestions??:confused:

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Specializes in OB/GYN/OR.

Hi ,

Haave you tried online refresher courses? I too have been looking for RN refresher courses and msu.com was one of them... both theory and practicals are offered..

Hi guys, I need some feedback on something. I had an interview at a hospital just last week for an RN II position (which used to be entry-level at this hospital). I did not get the job, and according to the nurse recruiter, it was because I did not take any classes during the time I wasn't working (I really didn't have the money to take extra classes). She suggested that I take an RN refresher course and re-interview.

A little info about my career history: I graduated last March 2007, passed my NCLEX October 2007 (thus, I still don't need to take CE's, but was planning on doing so after I renewed my license) and because I have not received my work permit until Sept 2008, I wasn't able to work right away.

Some of my friends said go ahead and take the course, some say I shouldn't even need to do it as my license is still active... I would personally like to take the refresher but the fees are steep, so I have to really think it through....any suggestions??:confused:

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I don't understand the long time period between passing NCLEX and receiving a work permit, but really that's not the issue.

The recruiter's suggestion of a refresher course is ridiculous. Refresher courses are intended for formerly active nurses who have been out of practice for an extended period of time. They are not intended for new grads who have never practiced in a professional capacity. She is probably trying to avoid providing you with a thorough orientation by placing the onus on you to solidify your clinical skills at your own expense.

I would look for employment elsewhere.

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Thanks for the feedback!!:)

igmirnor: I was looking at taking the online MSU course...it seems like a pretty good one, have you enrolled in it yet? I'm having second thoughts at this time though, because I haven't really been out of school for that long...tell me how it goes though, if in case I would need to take it...

Jolie: Yes, I have been researching and I did see that most schools don't even recommend taking the refresher course until about 3 years or more of not being in the hospital setting... I think that if I did not go directly to the nurse recruiter and ended up applying online, the hospital would not have even called me back for interview, because of my "lack" of experience...got to keep on looking, I guess...or totally rethink my approach....a lot more hospitals are doing new grad programs at certain times of the year, so they're harder to get into...

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Specializes in Education, IV Therapy, Travel Medicine.

As an educator working with this situation quite often we see the hospitals feel this way. I have had other nurses in your situation. What is needed is a customized refresher program in which you take the basics and do extended clinicals and receive more support and mentoring to assist you with this transition. Whatever the reason for this gap the only other choice besides a refresher course is to try and enter with the other new grads when the hospitals are doing the internships.

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You might also want to contact local community colleges. There are several here in my area that offer a 10-week (1 night a week) refresher course. It is primarily for those who have taken some time off from nursing (for other work, families, health reasons, etc). But a refresher course is a refresher course.

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What have you been doing since 2007? Also where did you go to school, I am assuming it was not in the USA since you referred to a work permit.

If you went to a foreign school, the refresher program with a clinical would be a good way for you to get your foot in the door of a hospital. I am guessing the recruiter was saying that we are concerned that you don't have enough clinical experience. Or you could try a newly licensed nurse program.

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Before investing in an expensive refresher program, thoroughly search for options. I was lucky to find one at a community college only an hour drive from home which was MUCH more affordable than a closer private program. The most useful aspect was the clinical component that they arranged. Having been out of school for over a year also means you haven't worked clinically in over a year. Participating in a recent clinical experience would put you on more equal footing with brand new grads who have very recent clinical experience. And investing in this kind of refresher shows employers that you are serious about getting a clinical job now. It still won't be easy to be hired because of the odd circumstances, but I think it would help.

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