Nurse Re-entry

Published

Specializes in Emergency Room.

After 12 years of being out of nursing I am returning to it and finding it a bit frustrating. Any one else who has recently done this or is currently doing this, tell me about your experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

what part are you finding frustrating?

I am doing re-entry

I find that it is best to stick with it

just keep at it

all the time

studying is what I do all the time

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in jack of all trades.

Just went back myself after 16 out of clinical and entirely out for the last 8 years. My experience was always in critical care previously then case management. I'm now in Chronic Dialysis only for the last 2 months. So far not bad and it's coming along fine. Be surprised how much you really remember and starts to sink back in a very short time. At least I seem to be soaking it up once again. I like the hours and most of all no more nights and every Sunday at least off. It gets easier each day yet there are still days of frustration but of course I've never had to tend to this many pts at one time in critical care. Give it time and hang in there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I've been out for 8 years. I am taking an RN refresher course, and I admit it was difficult at first. When I started my clincal I felt like I was in nursing school or like a new grad. It was overwhelming. I'm about to finish my clincal, and things are definitely getting easier. I just got hired, and I'm looking forward to starting my new job. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What kind of jobs are re-entry nurses being hired for? Every hospital I applied to has turned me down. Any suggestions as to who would hire me after being out for 8 years? Thank you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in jack of all trades.

I didnt take a refresher and applied to Dialysis facilities. Was hired immediately. Check out if there is a Davita in your area or check thier website for openings. Most clinics are pretty good about re-entry as they do give extensive training for new employees. At least where I am they do. They sent me on several out of town training sessions. So far the longest was 5 days and they cover full expenses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took a refresher a year ago. It was home based study with notebooks/videos, & multiple choice tests, followed by competency exam at the hospital. I then had to complete 80 hours of clinical. The hardest thing for me was all of the changes in technology & pharmacology from when I graduated until now. So glad I did it, no problems finding a job either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

Thanks for all your replies. I am going to be starting my 160 hours worth of clinicals in the next couple of weeks. I am looking forward to it, because I know I will need it. What has really frustrated me is that I needed to re-take the NCLEX in order to reactivate my License which I did and passed, but regardless no one would still hire me, obviously because of the lack of any recent clinical skill, I am talking even clinics basically huge doctors practices would not even consider me. But now I am glad none of them did, I would rather work 3 12 hour days then go back to a 5 day week work schedule.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion