Question about Inactive Status.

[PSA, RN]

I graduated from nursing school back in May of this year. I received my RN License in July and have not yet started working. I was wanting to start right away but then my husband was deployed to Iraq. I have two children one which is handicapped and I am having a hard time trying to figure out the child care arrangements. He should be back in about 6 months and it is looking everyday like I might have to wait till he gets back. How or Will this affect my NC licensure status? What does inactive status mean? Thanks for any help on this.

Also I have heard some of my other classmates who are working talk about some type of points that they need to maintain. Do you know what that is all about?

Thanks,

[webbiedebbie]

You can request to have your license placed on inactive status. There is no charge for this. However, you need to contact the BON to reinstate your license when you are ready to work, at which time you will be charged a fee.

Are you able to work part-time for now?

Also, you could work on continuing education while you are not working. This would help in the future when you are ready to begin working. (Employer might be more receptive as to why you were not working for awhile).

In NC, we don't need to maintain credits to keep our licenses. Some states require that for renewal.

Hope this helps.

[PSA, RN]

How long of time is permitted before I should call and be put on the inactive status? I think I might try and start a part-time job somewhere but just in case I can't it would be nice to know. Thanks so much for your reply.

[webbiedebbie]

You can contact BON on their website to request inactive status at any time.

Good luck with getting a part-time job. I would encourage this because you are a new nurse and would need to keep your skills going. It may be difficult for you to get a position in the future w/o actual practice during this time.

I hope this helps.