Nurseniki

I graduated and obtained licensure in 2012. Due to many variables, I did not begin working as an RN after school and instead I've been working in criminal law. Now that my life is a bit more settled, I want to go back into my original passion and use my degree. I know I need to either take a refresher course or retake the NCLEX, but my question is this: Where do I begin studying for the things I will actually need to use as a real nurse day to day?? I don't need to be able to pass a test, I need to know what I will actually need to remember or understand as a first year nurse? My goal is to work at a rehab or surgery center, not a hospital, but I do assume I will have to first put my time in there. Anyone have advice for what to focus on? I do remember a lot, but a also don't remember just as much. I would like to brush up on everything I will actually need to use on the job before even attempting a refresher course. Also, how often do you really go to a book or Google to look something up as situations arise, verses how much you are comfortable jumping straight into with your own knowledge as a new nurse? I feel like it is so much information and I just was confirmation that people actually do have to look things up the first few years and don't remember every detail LOL.

Just wanted to tell you, I hate that this is in TN. I have been licensed for 10 years and because of a misdemeanor after graduation they have made it nearly impossible to get my license reinstated for another state. Please make sure you get someone to spell everything out for you. They may require their "own" rehab program. Unfortunately I am on the other side of the US now and can't do their rehab so I've been stuck with a degree I haven't been able to use. I have a family now and am trying to figure out how to get back to my passion. Good luck to you, please make sure you are fully informed before going forward :)

Hello! I'm hoping someone can advise that has been in a similar situation. I cant find any answers and am waiting on the board to call. I got my license 10 years ago, never worked as a nurse because I was just not ready that young. I picked up a simple possession charge hanging around the wrong people right after graduation that caused the nursing board in TN to not allow me to renew my license without jumping through hoops. It just became inactive not revoked or anything. I ended up moving to NV shortly thereafter to start over and couldnt do what they needed me to do in TN so I have left it as inactive. I would like to get back into nursing now and wonder if I can just sit for the NCLEX here in NV to obtain licensure without having to get my TN license active? I can't go back to TN now (have a family) to stay for their requirements. I just want to see if I have a chance to start over?? Or will the red flag in TN prevent me from obtaining a license here until its resolved? It's depressing me because it's just not possible to go back to the other state resolve it. I currently work in criminal law but still have the passion for nursing.