Newly Licensed RN, No Experience, Graduated 10 Years Ago

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I am new here and have been reading a lot of posts. Can't really find one that is recent relating to my situation so here I am. I graduated 10 years ago and practiced very briefly (6 months), then had to move to a different country that I couldn't practice Nursing. My background is Sales unrelated to healthcare. Now that we've immigrated to the US, I was able to process my license and now I am in the process of looking for a job. 

I am desperate if someone is willing to give me some advice. There's not really a lot of New grad residency program here in my city, most of them are already occupied and I've read they are VERY competitive. What is the best way for me to get back in to the nursing industry? Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm really stressing out and going down into depression. ?

Thank you in advance. 

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Specializes in NICU.

You graduated 10 yrs ago. You do not qualify for new grad residencies.

Do you have a nursing license in the sate you live in? If not, then that would be your first step.

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45 minutes ago, NICU Guy said:

You graduated 10 yrs ago. You do not qualify for new grad residencies.

Do you have a nursing license in the sate you live in? If not, then that would be your first step.

Hi NICU Guy. Thanks for your reply. Yes. I just got it this month. I’m currently licensed in Cali. 

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele/ER/Urgent Care.

You will need to look for “ refresher courses “. That’s for nurses out of the work force for a few years. I think you will have difficulty finding a nursing job without recent experience.

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Specializes in Occupational Health.
11 hours ago, PollywogNP said:

You will need to look for “ refresher courses “. That’s for nurses out of the work force for a few years. I think you will have difficulty finding a nursing job without recent experience.

This

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Specializes in New grad.
On 12/20/2021 at 2:00 PM, hopefulnurse311 said:

I am new here and have been reading a lot of posts. Can't really find one that is recent relating to my situation so here I am. I graduated 10 years ago and practiced very briefly (6 months), then had to move to a different country that I couldn't practice Nursing. My background is Sales unrelated to healthcare. Now that we've immigrated to the US, I was able to process my license and now I am in the process of looking for a job. 

I am desperate if someone is willing to give me some advice. There's not really a lot of New grad residency program here in my city, most of them are already occupied and I've read they are VERY competitive. What is the best way for me to get back in to the nursing industry? Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm really stressing out and going down into depression. ?

Thank you in advance. 

Interesting question. I don't have an answer for you as I am a new nurse myself, but I just wanted to wish you good luck. 

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Specializes in NICU.

That refresher course would also provide you with possible networking opportunities.You might register with an agency,they usually know what is going on in the industry,the Red Cross uses nurses just to run the screening of potential donors,they go to different sites,also some clinics that do TOPs might hire, insurnace companies do screenings too,industrial nursing,hospitals are more stringent because the work is different.Best of luck.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

A refresher course would be helpful for employment (and likely helpful for your overall skills and confidence). You may not qualify for many codified new graduate programs, but you can certainly find a job as a nurse with little to no experience. Simply look for jobs that are willing to hire new graduates and apply. Indeed is a fantastic place to look. You can even post your resume on there.  You'd be surprised at how many open positions are willing to train nurses with no experience without having to go through an actual new graduate residency. 

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Specializes in Progressive Care, Sub-Acute, Hospice, Geriatrics.

Definitely with a refresher course. Go into sub-acute care or rehab facilities, do your 6 months and transfer to hospitals. My former co-workers have done it without issues. They used rehab facilities as a stepping stone when hospitals would not hire them.

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Specializes in Community health.

I agree with scoping out the job boards like Indeed. There are so many jobs available right now, and a lot of places will hire new grads, which is essentially what you are. You may have to take a job that isn’t your ideal dream job, in order to gain a little experience, as many new grads do. If you can find a refresher course, definitely enroll in that— I know I’d forget a lot of stuff after 10 years. But you’ll end up fine, and welcome to nursing! 

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Specializes in N/A.

Don’t have any advice but wanted to just say I’m in the same position as you. Graduated 11 years ago and was never able to find work as a new grad and am now looking at trying again.  You can find refresher courses that are self paced and all online and then you complete so many hours of clinical.  Some require you to attend labs in person but that doesn’t work for everyone like myself who needs to work full time. No other income to rely on. I just wanted to come on here and post that you’re not alone.  I’ve had one interview for a new grad residency which went well but was told to complete a refresher course and then reach back out to her because so much has changed in 10 years. 

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The school where I received my ADN had a nursing refresher course. Research your local tech and community colleges. Here are some examples:

https://hoc.guhsd.net/HOC-Courses/RN-RefresherReentry-For-RN/index.html

https://www.cshs.edu/nurse-refresher-course

You will want some in person skills lab time for sure. You can't practice skills online. 

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