Possible to still get employed as RN after graduating nursing school 5 years ago??

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Just wanted to hear maybe some success stories (if any) of anyone who got their nursing degree but was not able to use it right after school, for unforeseen reasons? Is it possible to still obtain a job after so long? I dont Want to give up on my career I have always wanted, but even my biggest cheerleader in the past is telling me it's too late and not to waste money on starting my bachelors degree! Feeling sad!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Did you pass NCLEX?

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Specializes in kids.

How is your license still active if you have not worked the mandatory number of hours you need when you renew?

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How is your license still active if you have not worked the mandatory number of hours you need when you renew?

(Not all states require hours of employment for renewal.)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

After reading OP's post on another thread, I don't think she has a license yet.

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After reading OP's post on another thread, I don't think she has a license yet.

Well, that's a much larger impediment to RN employment than how long ago she finished her degree. :)

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Yes I did pass NCLEX. I have my license in Washington. But I'm living in California and got endorsed here just recently. I got pregnant right after I passed my test and got licensed and decided not to get a job at the time, and now that my baby is older I am ready to go to work.

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I do have my license.

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I thought it would be an issue because of a past DUI, long ago, to get license in ca, but I did get endorsed recently to CA. So I have both Washington and CA.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Oh good! A much better situation than not having taken NCLEX.

However:

Have you renewed your license regularly? Or put it on inactive status?

Are CEU's required and if so, have you done them throughout the years?

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Specializes in kids.
(Not all states require hours of employment for renewal.)

Huh, who would have thought that!?!?!

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Specializes in ER.

It can happen. You kept your license up though, right? Usually you have to do so many educational hours in order to be considered.

Your jobs may prefer if you take a refresher. However, where to find a refresher is a better question. I have heard of refreshers existing but never actually seen one advertised online.

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