Nurses Who Left But Who Now Want To Come Back To Nursing

[rnfullofbs]

Thank You

[noc_owl]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but 10 years away from nursing is a pretty long time. A lot has changed. Taking care of family members is a lot different than taking care of patients in a hospital setting, so I wouldn't really consider that in terms of practical skills.

I think the best way for you to make yourself marketable again is to take the refresher course. My guess is that once you do, you will be a hot commodity with your years of experience!

As far as feeling ambivilance about getting back into nursing, and what you wrote in #2 about how you feel people are today, is it so much different than it was ten years ago? Why do you feel that way? I think a lot has changed, but a lot has remained the same. I also think it depends on where you work.

Outside of taking a refresher course, have you thought of trying to apply at a nursing school as an instructor? I don't know if you ever got your MSN, but having a BSN with the intention to finish your MSN is sometimes enough to get you in as a classroom instructor.

I wish you the best of luck in deciding what you want to do. :kiss

[mom23RN]

I'm in a similar situation. I haven't been out quite as long as you, but it's been just over 5 years for me. I feel that my skills could be back quickly, but the whole idea of whether or not I "really" want to GO back is the question. I dont' want to lose my skills anymore and would like to find something to keep them up on a very part time basis but I would have to do a full time orientation again and such and for me that's just not possible (2 little ones at home).

I'm interested to hear some ideas people come up with.

[rnfullofbs]

Thank You

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I've been away for 6 years. This year the BON tells me I have to either retire or go inactive. That's a real blow to the ego even though I have full disability from SS and from my retirement system. I'm looking at Parish nursing or some sort of less physical and more of the Love of mankind to give.

[Kelky]

I have also been out just 10 yrs, have just finished a refresher course (which was online then I could work part itme if i needed for the clinical) and I have an interview tomorrow. I do feel that 10 yrs is a long time to be 'out' but when I got back nursing patients in clinical it was like going home, and it all comes back. Sure there are new things, and I know getting up to speed will take time, but I agree that it is not like taking on a new grad, I know SO much more than I did then.

[CHATSDALE]

refresher course is the best idea and probably required before you could be hired

unit sec idea probably not best solution..you would make very little and you would work with new grads who you may look down on because you feel like you know more than them

if you still have your license you might try out at a clinic or md office or in home health etc

i thin that you have a lot to offer..give it a go

[rnfullofbs]

Thank You

[rnfullofbs]

Thank You