PhDRN

CSU San Marcos does not currently have a nurse refresher program. I tried looking it up over the weekend but got 'error' pages when I clicked on the link. I called them this morning to find out what's going on. They said the program is being completely revised and they hope to offer it again in the Spring 2012.

I have just passed NCLEX to reinstate my license in California (state of original license). I have been out of clinical practice for 20 years and out of school much longer than that! It has been quite a journey to get to where I want to be. My more recent career is as a management psychologist. I have a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior and have done work in organizational development, leadership development, and talent management as a consultant in many industries. I realized that I felt most at home in healthcare settings and now want to combine nursing and psychology, ultimately, probably in an internal management/leadership role. However, I think I would be better at it if I got back into clinical nursing for awhile to know what nurses (and hospitals, agencies) are experiencing now. Clinically, Hospice and Psych/Mental Health would be the best fits with my background. I have heard that Florida still has a nursing shortage and have heard of re-entry RNs being hired in the Florida panhandle (but not sure how current that info is). Any suggestions on 1) a hospital or healthcare system that is still hiring and 'retooling' re-entry nurses (in Florida or any other state). OR 2) a healthcare system that would be interested in someone with my background, for a future leadership role, and would be willling to help me get my clinical skills back in shape? Any suggestions, leads, much appreciated.

I have just passed NCLEX to reinstate my license in California (state of original license). I have been out of clinical practice for 20 years and out of school much longer than that! It has been quite a journey to get to where I want to be. My more recent career is as a management psychologist. I have a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior and have done work in organizational development, leadership development, and talent management as a consultant in many industries. I realized that I felt most at home in healthcare settings and now want to combine nursing and psychology, ultimately, probably in an internal management/leadership role. However, I think I would be better at it if I got back into clinical nursing for awhile to know what nurses (and hospitals, agencies) are experiencing now. Clinically, Hospice and Psych/Mental Health would be the best fits with my background. I have heard that Florida still has a nursing shortage and have heard of re-entry RNs being hired in the Florida panhandle (but not sure how current that info is). Any suggestions on 1) a hospital or healthcare system that is still hiring and 'retooling' re-entry nurses (in Florida or any other state). OR 2) a healthcare system that would be interested in someone with my background, for a future leadership role, and would be willling to help me get my clinical skills back in shape? Any suggestions, leads, much appreciated.

I'm open. I have friends near Tallahassee, others in Daytona Beach, others in Tampa/Clearwater....it's lovely further south on the Gulf Coast too. I figure I'll get my foot in the door and things will evolve accordingly. Thanks for your interest.

I have just passed NCLEX to reinstate my license in California (state of original license). I have been out of clinical practice for 20 years. I have a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior and have done work in organizational development, leadership development, and talent management as a consultant in many industries. I realized that I felt most at home in healthcare settings and now want to combine nursing and psychology, ultimately in a management/leadership role. However, I think I would be better at it if I got back into clinical nursing for awhile to know what nurses (and hospitals) are experiencing now. Clinically, Hospice and Psych/Mental Health would be the best fits with my background. I have heard that Florida still has a nursing shortage and have heard of re-entry RNs being hired (but not sure how current that info is). Any suggestions on 1) a hospital or healthcare system that is still hiring and 'retooling' re-entry nurses. OR 2) a healthcare system that would be interested in someone with my background, for a future leadership role, and would be willling to help me get my clinical skills back in shape? Any suggestions, leads, much appreciated.

Actually, in California they give you 8 years of lapse before they require NCLEX. It's called the "8 Year Retake" application. There are less draconian measures for re-instating licenses lapsed less than 8 years. So if you are getting close to 8 years, tget on it today!

It depends on the original state your license came from and how long your license has lapsed. In my case, my original license was from California and it had been lapsed for 20 years. I had to take NCLEX to reinstate it. It's been 35 years since I've been in nursing school, but I took the exam and passed this week. Other states require a refresher course that includes clinical hours rather than retaking the NCLEX. Start with the Board website for your original license. Good Luck!

I passed this week, 35 years out of nursing school and 20 years out of practice. California requires you to take the NCLEX if your license lapsed more than 8 years. Way back when I'd taken a two-day written test to get my original license. I used ATI testing as my primary source, got 75% on their comprehensive review test just before taking their predictor test. For the predictor I got 65% on the content and the prediction of 91% probablility of passing NCLEX. I passed the NCLEX itself with 75 questions. My point here is that I think there may be a tendency to overstudy for this exam. There is a very high overall passing rate (something like 85% for new U.S. grads). I didn't think my practice scores were high enough but needed to move on in my life so decided to trust the high probability (statistically) that I would pass and just finally took the test. You can't possibly know it all (me especially after so much time)--and on the NCLEX itself the computer will find your level of ability where you are only 'right' 50% of the time. That feels very different, very challenging, in the test center compared to practicing at home and getting 65 to 90% right. I had no idea if I'd passed when the computer switched off. Moral of the story....if I can pass this test 35 years post-nursing school, just about anyone can! The odds (high pass rate) are in your favor!

Thanks so much.....and Good Luck to you, too! The questions on the test were harder (more complex) and seemingly more random than any I have encountered in my review. So just be prepared that it will feel very difficult. The computer switched off at 75 questions and I really didn't know when I left if I'd passed or not. I just kept trying to remember that the strategy of the Computerized Adaptive Testing is to test you at the very upper level, the cutting edge, of your ability (the place where you are right only 50% of the time). After doing a number of independent reviews through Sylvia Rayfield and Associates as well as through the NCSBN program, as well as a couple of other review books, I felt that I needed to 'review for the the review'. I signed up with ATI Testing and took their Virtual Review program that included having a personal coach. I did a deep dive intensive review of Med-Surg to re-learn the anatomy and physiology of each system--without that foundation my test review was like trying to remember a zillion unrelated small details. I think it was the right program for me because without the extensive review resources and the feedback that came from the ATI practice tests, I would have continued studying longer than I needed to from the feeling that I 'don't know enough yet'. At the completion of all review modules, ATI has a 'predictor test' that lets you know know your probability of passing if you take the test in the next 2 to 3 weeks. WIth that as evidence, and with the 'green light' from my coach, I registered and took the test. Now...the next big hurdle.....finding a pathway back into employment in clinical practice! Good luck to you....please come back and let me know how you did!

Hi folks, I graduated from nursing school 35 years ago and have been out of practice for 20 years....yesterday I took NCLEX-RN to have my license re-instated. If the PVT is correct, I passed!! I read a post from a year ago that talked about timeframes until your license is posted on Board website, til results are mailed, and licensing. I'm a little hazy about what is next and if any addition $$ is required for the actual license (read someone say they sent money to get their license after they received their results). I would appreciate recent California experiences, from past few months, on timeframes from NCLEX date: 1) being able to find yourself as a licensed on the Board website 2) receiving your results by mail 3) anything else that needs to happen after you get your results--such as submitting additional forms/fees I have appreciated the nitty-gritty I have learned from this site! :redbeathe Thanks everyone! Also, happy to share experiences with anyone who is reaching WAAAYYYYY back into their background regarding preparing to take the NCLEX after license has lapsed more than 8 years.