debbren

hi there, wow, so great reading your question as it could have been me writing the very same one! i am just 52, in great shape, athletic, will watch my youngest graduate from college this weekend, and just sent off for a admission packet from frontier! we are in the prime of our lives and i am suddenly feeling like this is something i have wanted my whole life, but when midwives were having a hard time back in the 80's, i decided i loved my work in l&d so opted for a msn in neonatal nursing...keeping me in and around the delivery room for 10 years. after a ten year hiatias....i am determained to go back and get my degree in midwifery...life is short...so for all of us "seasoned gals", good luck to us....hopefully the next time we chat...you too will be filling out your application! good luck....

Hello again, It is so hard to believe in these days of dire nursing shortages (which I have seen first hand with my mother in the hospital!), that great nurses like you...with years of experience , are finding it difficult to get a job anywhere. If you have been following this post, you know I too just got my licence back, so exciting...but my issue is now, I am living overseas...so although I have found some refresher courses, the timing is tough, not usually back in the states for 6 weeks at a time. But for now just reviewing on my own...it really does come back. The highly tech. part of my old job, vents, CT placement, reviewing CT scans, xrays, that type of thing....no question can't do from a book! The biggest advantage I feel I have now is , my three sons are all grown, no longer the pull of family needs as it used to be. Hard to go off to a 24 hour shift when you have ear infections brewing at home! I too have a really supportive husband who has a busy career, so my future is just starting again! I actually am going to Haiti next week with my husbands team, and hope to be able to lend a hand.... Keep me posted on your progress, I will be rooting for you! Best of luck to you....

Hi there, I too have been sidelined for over 10 years, and just got my RN back....why I ever allowed it to lapse...anyway would love to hear what you are doing with your licence now! All the best...

Hello, I too can feel your frustration! I am living in HK and want to get a post masters degree in Midwifery (Neonatal NP for 8 years) So I am starting the same hunt...only my issue is doing distance learning..then convincing my husband I will be living overseas for 3-6 months without him to do my preceptorship...Frontier has a long history...I had a friend from my undergrad program who just couldn't wait to go to Frontier when we graduated...always heard so much about Ida May Gaskins! Anyway...good luck to you, with your experience..anyone would be lucky to have you....maybe we will be classmates! LOL

Hello again, just waiting to hear from NYS regarding my licences. Then I can proceed with future education plans. I too worked full time with 2 kids when I was getting my MSN. Took me 18 months, we are highly motivated students aren't we!! Several of my classmates were military gals, no kids, and no hurry...took them forever to finish their Thesis! Stress can be a good thing. How is life as a CNM? I originally was going that route but CNM where getting a rough time in the 1980's from some of the medical establishment...so I thought Neonatology was a safer route...and still kept me around L&D, Maternal Child...but now...I am ready to do CNM. Finally.... Would love to hear how your setting uses the CNMs..... Thanks!

Hi Shery, I am reading Med-Surg Demystified at the moment. I also have downloaded at least 100 podcasts on my itouch and listen to lectures everyday when I exercise and when I can't sleep. Sometimes up to 4 hours a day! I really am amazed how it comes back to you....you will be amazed also. I also have found UTube to have some interesting stuff under nursing and medicine. I used to be proficient at intubation, central lines etc...not saying I am ready to jump in with out refresher...but it makes your realize it is still there, just hastn't been used in a while. My gut tells me to believe you can do anything you set out to do.... As far as the paperwork, all has been recieved by my state board, just waiting to hear back.... In the meantime, I will plan to follow the advise given to me to do "Suzanne's Plan", you will see that on an earlier post. I figure all these people have such good advice, and that sounds like the way to go.... How are you doing with your future plans? Dream it and it will happen! Debbie

Great, I actually recieved a nice note from Frontier, so I think I will just plan to contact them directly and have them fill me in on my situation and needs. So appreciate your time...thanks

I am wondering about how long is your class work going to take you? Also, I already have a MSN, so do you know how that changes the total time spent with class work? And how did you do finding a preceptor? Thanks!

Wow, good for you...I am so excited to get going I will tell you. I have downloaded some review books on my new Kindle (small, and portable) and I am waiting to hear what NY says. I am pretty sure I will have to retest. But like you, it is really coming back. Amazing isn't it. I think we will make excellent nurses again because our hearts are in it. Once I get the ok from NY I will register with NCLEX, but must wait until I am given the ok. I was never licienced in NY, just 3 other states! So while I wait I am studying... I bet your re-entry class is wonderful. Nice to be with other people in the same boat huh? Best of luck...you sound very committed so you will do great! What state are you in?

Hi there, I am currently a Hong Kong resident (past 5 yrs) (USA Passport )and thinking about working here. I have a BSN and MSN and was a NNP. I would love to know where your friend works. I am pretty sure I will have to sit for their exam here, but would just love to hear someone elses experiece. Does she work at Matilda Hospital do you know? Thanks...

I was able to find the web site thanks. Not sure that this is what I need for Neonatal NP. I will check further...thanks.

Hello there, I have been following this thread with interest. I will have to do a distance program. I am looking at Frontier and Stoney Brook. I was wondering, about how long did you precept for, and about how long would you think I could accomplish all the course work and preceptorship as well if I went full time. Oh by the way I already have a MSN and was a Neonatal NP for nine years before my "retirement". But now, I am really excited to get back into the clinical setting so any info would be really helpful. I also see you are a NNP as well, I would think that is a great combo....! Thank you...

I will check out the CD's, are they easy to find on Google? Thanks...

Hi there, here is just one of the many. Go to ITunes, Science and Medicine-click on that, then below you will see another group open up. It says Medicine. If you click on that and search you can find so many great lectures..but below is the link to the Neonatal group I found....hope this helps... http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/uth.tmc.edu.1537918612.01537918614

Hello, I too live overseas (Hong Kong) and I am also trying to get back into my field. I was a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. I have moved 4 times since I was last licenced in a state...so unfortunatly I am doing all the paper work now. My problem is I want to work now...but not going to be easy until I get back to the states... There is a tremendous amount of info online...I have downloaded hundreds of Podcasts onto my ITouch and listen to lectures for hours at a time, while I walk and hike. I also invested in the new Kindle from Amazon.com, and have downloaded several textbooks, so I can study when I travel,,, I am looking at going back to get my CNM certificate. so looking into distance schools. But the practicum I cant do until I am back stateside I think. Well good luck...

Hi there, I would love to know what direction you have decided on...I am in the beginning stages of looking into schools with distance as well. Frontier has always had a great reputation....

Thought I would see how you are doing. I have filed all my paper work with NYState, and hope to hear something back soon. I have been taking practice NCLEX exams and doing general reviewing each day. So far I have averaged around 68-72, so I am not discouraged. Once I am told what they need of me...I will be raring to go.... So what have you decided??? Hope you are doing well....

I would say, if I were you, it will be the best $1500 you ever spent. You will have someone there to encourage you and you will feel much more confident. I am just so surprised with the nursing sortage that each state doesn't have a really big push to refresh and reuse our nursing talents...by having a standardized refresher course in every state...sounds like we are not alone!! I am plodding through all the requirements for NY state. Once I get my application in , then I will know which direction to go in..... Keep smiling!!!

In the list of refresher courses listed in NY state, the one for Central NY came back with no longer available.....so I will keep looking...NY has been really responsive. I just heard from a very nice gentleman who is the Assistant to the Executive Secretary for BON and he gave me a list of what to do...and a contact person to speak with. I think for those of us who love our profession, it is really encouraging to get this kind of response. Thanks to you all for your help....I would be happy to post the list for NYS if anyone is interested.

Very helpful link, thanks. I am realizing that until I actually speak to the folk in NY , I won't be sure the exact course I must take. My two issues breakdown like this: 1. Expired licence 2. Out of state It is funny, when I started this search, I thought the most daunting part was the NCLEX, I have decided that is the easier part! Ha! Kind of like graduate school, getting in was much harder than actually doing the coursework! I have just heard from NYS and they are sending me a packet...I will speak to them and let you know what they direct me to do... Coffee on board...feeling hopeful!

I guess that is what I have to figure out. NY state will be the final word I guess. I also live in Hong Kong at the moment 'so the time thing is a pain. I want to call people but no one is up yet, but you, why are you up??? CT would require a refresher course with some clinical (9days), and taking the NCLEX. They offer several places to take it, but I don't now and won't probably be living in CT, unless we moved to NYC, then that will be perhaps do able.....Like you , a lot of unknowns. I know once I get headed in the right direction, I can do it. I know for you with kids still at home really challenging....only my youngest still in college, so I have the luxury of free time...and I do appreciate it. At one point I was going to school full time to get my Masters, working full time and had a 2 and 3 year old, and was pregnant by the time I graduated!! So I know I can do anything...just will take it one step at a time. I got my license in 1981 so like you it has been a while!! Thanks for your words of encouragment, and one thing to think about is what IS offered through distance learning..have thought about getting another degree in grief management or something easier!! Computer work is great, can do at home when you have time... Well, I am off to do my Infection Control required CE course for NYState. Ever the optimist!!

Today I have started tackling the very large job of tracing my nursing license from TN, GA, CT and all that entails. My license actually expired 10 years ago in CT, but I wont be living there, I will be moving to NY (lots of husband transfers...)so I will try to speak to NY folks and get an idea if they will pick up my old CT license and have me refresh in NY and take NCLEX. The more I am doing the more focused I get. It is a lot of paperwork, but once I actually know what I have to do...that should be much easier...in a way. Good luck...and I am really motivated by how much they need good nurses like us still! Cheers

You are so right....NEVER LOOSE THAT LICENSE.....I have just downloaded and printed the 40 page NY state Licensing application packet...will let you know how it goes....looks like I need.. 1. 2 CE, one on infection control, one on child abuse...NYS regulations...can do these online... 2. Submit my application and $ with proof of education 3. Retake NCLEX exam... Will see how we do...one step at a time...

Nice to know I am not alone. How are you doing with your efforts to get reinstated? I know I just have to decide to bite the bullet...and all this encouragement really helps.

Such great information, thank you...I will be repatriating in 18 months or so...so I have lots of time. I will be in NY so I have already glanced over the requirements. Your list will be most helpful to me. Thank you again, and I really love this site... Debbie