Re-entering nursing, ADHD

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Hello,

I'm hoping to re-enter nursing after an absence of approximately 5 years. My last work was in pediatric home care. I felt my niche was in hospice; however, the program ceased to exist after a year. I loved the work but had little support from management and no orientation. I was hired, found I was the only nurse and suddenly found myself with 13 patients in a very disorganized setting.

Our ADN program was great for theory but I did not feel I got enough clinical hands-on. I also have ADHD, am 54 years old, and still am learning how to cope effectively with this condition.

Basically, I have good assessment skills, think "outside the box" just fine but have always had difficulty with organization. I did not come out of my experiences with a good sense of routine.

I would welcome advice on how to restart my career and how to succeed, without setting myself up for failure. I live in rural Vermont.

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Specializes in neonatal intensive care unit.

Hello To All,

Crazy Horse, I can relate to part of your interest to "re-enter nursing after five years of absense" with age of 50's and a personal health concern. I am in my late 50's and have been out of nursing work for a few years due to some serious health changes. On your question of steps " to re-start nursing" here's what I have learned this month. First, start with a call to your state board of nursing to ask what are your state requirements to renew your nursing license. In my state, Tennessee, I have learned that if one has been out of nursing for less than 5 years, one can renew the professional nurse license by having application forms mailed from the state board of nursing to your home, fill out application, and send fee ($180 here) for renewal. (if the time period is greater than five years the requirement is that one takes a nursing refresher course.) Then, one can comply with Tennessee requirements for continuing education hours for "active" RN license by reading approved nursing articles/taking post-tests "on-line". Cool!

Good luck to you! Your fellow retired RN, neonatal 3

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Thanks! I have renewed my license and am researching possibilities for taking a nurse refresher course, as well as talking with local employers re: a good "fit".

The best to you, too!

Crazy Horse

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