do i need refresher course after two years off?

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Hi, everyone. I would really appreciate some input. I have two years med-surg staff floor nurse and 2 months of travel agency neuro. I quit to get married and haven't worked in two years. I have recently applied for jobs but was wondering if I should go ahead and start a refresher course. I live in Louisiana and there are no refresher courses near so it would be online and I heard it was really hard to find places to do clinical for those. Though I don't know if I need it I was just reading around this site and it seems like it is more difficult to find a job. I didn't even get interviewed really at the last two hospitals I worked at. It was really easy to get hired. But after two years off??? Any help or advice would be appreciated. I am really nervous.:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

It would not hurt to do a refresher course. It depends what floor you would like to work. Are you still CPR certified or ACLS? If you decide to work Med-Surg, in my opinion you may not need a refresher course because Med-Surg is the foundation of nursing. Plus you have maybe a couple of weeks in orientation with another nurse. You may want to call your state BON for some definite answers. Good luck!! Keep us posted.

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Hello. With a good resume of nursing work experience and your work only two years ago, I don't think you need a refresher course at this point in order to obtan a good RN nursing job. When I did not work for a period of four years, I was able to get an interesting position doing private duty home health nursing at a nursing agency without taking a refresher course. I agree with the writer who mentioned that a current CPR certification is usually required, however employers often provide CPR classes for new employees. Best wishes!

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I had ten years between graduation and my first nursing job, no refresher course and it was fine. One of the nurses recently hired on my unit is coming off a four year break (marriage and kids) and she didn't take a refresher either. I'd say if you are in a market that's saturated, you may want to take a course since the competition may be pretty stiff. If you are in market that's pretty open, unless you want it for yourself, I wouldn't worry about it and focus on finding a job with a decent orientation.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you get a proper orientation one-on-one with a nurse.

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Thanks everyone for your input.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

A refresher course definitely couldn't hurt. But is it necessary? That depends on your local job market and what they are looking for.

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