Passed NCLEX in 2011 but never worked as an RN, how to get started?

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Hi Nurse Beth, I graduated with an accelerated degree in nursing in 2011. I passed the NCLEX a month later. I never worked as a nurse because I suddenly hit a big break in my previously-amateur career as an artist and suddenly had major success. However, since 2018 or so, that's gone dead. So here I am, and I do still want to do something that actually helps people, and I'm older and more confident than I was back then (I was scared to get started). My license has expired in the midwestern state where I got it. Do I need to repeat nursing school?  I want to go into psychiatric nursing.

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

It's wonderful that you succeeded as an artist and are now ready to enter psychiatric nursing. Given your background in art and personal experiences, you might even find that art therapy or integrating creative techniques in mental health care could become a unique niche for you in psychiatric nursing.

Every state has different requirements for license reinstatement and various situations, so you must contact your state board.

Here are some possible next steps:

  • Apply to reinstate your license, and pay applicable fees
  • Get fingerprinted via Live Scan
  • Complete any state-required continuing education
  • Take a nursing refresher course if required (make sure it's an approved course)
  • Retake the NCLEX

Once your license is reinstated, consider networking with mental health facilities or psychiatric hospitals to find opportunities in your area.

Very best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Like Nurse Beth said, every state has their own requirements. It might be as easy as paying a fee to renew, it might be as complex as taking the NCLEX again along with any additional education or other requirements that might go along with that. Check with your states BON to determine what you would need to do

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