re-entering the nursing field

iPink, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2010

I'm a pre-nursing student so I rather wait for the experts to give you advice on which route you should take. But, the reason why I'm posting is to ask you why you did not go for your license after receiving your degree? Especially it being 15 years ago and the market wasn't bad at all. Just curious.

Neveranurseagain, RN · Apr 25, 2010

You need to check with your state board of nursing. Some states may require you to attend nursing school over again since its been over 7 years since you graduated but didn't take your boards....

pers · Apr 25, 2010

Our situations are similar as I waited eleven years to take mine! I decided that going back to school wasn't an option for me. If I was going to go back to school, I'd choose a different area to study that would hopefully compliment the degree I already had.

You do need to check with the BON in the state you want to practice as rules vary on how long you can be out of school and what hoops you may have to jump through in order to test since it's been so long. I tested in a state that had no limits on how long you could be out of school and then did licensure by endorsement to the state I wanted to practice in.

What kind of student were you in school? I looked into a refresher course and there were none in my area. I also considered auditing some classes but schools here have long waiting lists and there wasn't room for someone looking to audit a class (particularly since I graduated from a different school). I ended up taking the Kaplan complete online NCLEX review. I was a B student in school without having to try very hard and found there was a lot of material that I found familiar even though I didn't quite remember it. I passed the NCLEX in 75 questions my first attempt.

Currently I'm in orientation and have been very open with the nurse orienting me about my clinical skills and am comfortable with my progress. I'm getting the standard 7 week orientation offered by my hospital which will be adjusted based on how I do. Right now I'm on schedule to finish my orientation in the standard time. I do better than some people in some areas and not as well in others so we'll see how it plays out. One benefit of being out of school for so long, I have no hesitation asking "stupid" questions because it's to be expected considering how long ago I graduated. Most of the other new grads in orientation I've met are much more shy about asking questions and feel like they should know everything already.

If a refresher course is an option, I'm sure it will be beneficial even if only to boost your confidence in your clinical skills. I imagine if you are in an area where jobs are more difficult to find as a new grad it would also help you there as well.

svalico · Apr 25, 2010

Okay ... I have some experience with this. I graduated in 2003 and just got my lic in march.

The best route for you go is refresher / re-entry and then hopefully get a job where you are doing ur clinicals. I cant afford this route because the class is 3 months long and I dont have 1500-3000 dollars in my pockect. I am trying to get the money but cant right now! I know I will be a great nurse cus thats all I have done all my life is care for family memebers, but I cant find a job because now one hires "NEW NURSES" So good luck did u pass ur boards? :confused:

wishin*on*a*star · Apr 25, 2010

I agree that a refresher course is a good idea. I am returning to nursing after a 5yr absence. I have over 25 years of experience, however the most recent is in outpatient Peds. I left the hospital in the mid '80's. That makes me pretty unattractive to most hospital recruiters in my area. There are no refresher courses in my area. Only one teaching hospital has the resources to orient me. And they have a hiring freeze on.

I am working on a per diem basis at my old Peds office, but will probably not be able to secure a permanent position there. They are looking for younger employees at this point...yes, they actually said this. Sigh... This return to work has not been the positive experience I had hoped for. I am only 52!!! Not even a grey hair :) PS: the Nurse Manager and Office Manager are in my corner. I am a good nurse, a little rusty at this point, but I have caught on quickly to electronic charting, e-scribing and all the immunization/med changes. Sorry, didn't mean to vent. Anyway, they may be doing me a favor. I'm researching alternative options, including holistic nursing, nutrition, counseling...

My advice would be to talk to nurse recruiters in addition to your BON and local colleges. See what the recruiters are looking for and don't give up. If this is what you really want go for it with all you've got. Good luck!

JustKaren2 · Apr 26, 2010

I was also out for 15 years, but I did have 10 years of experience (graduated in 1984). I'm in California and had to retake boards because I had let my license expire. After passing boards (thought I wouldnt), I took a refresher course, and I highly recommend that route for personal and professional reasons. First of all, it will give you confidence and a safe environment in which to refresh your skills/knowledge. Also, the support system of your fellow classmates is awesome (during the program and beyond). Secondly, you will make 'connections' through your clinicals. Three of the nurses in the program eventually received job offers based on those connections, although it took many months and lots of assertiveness due to the economy. Thirdly, I don't think anyone will hire a nurse that has been out that long without the refresher program. I know all of us in the refresher program had to work really, really hard to find jobs. #4...you can put your weeks of clinical experience on your resume by craftily putting it under 'work experience' and not have your resume automatically thrown out by human resources.

I was the first to find a job, but it was a really sucky job that nobody else wanted; however, the connections there led to my current hospital job.

After getting the job .... well, that's another story. I've worked 5 shifts and it is hard, hard, hard! But I love my patients.

Good luck to you. If you want it, you can have it ... but it most likely will not be an easy road.

Straydandelion · Apr 26, 2010

Never worked as a nurse and didn't receive a license having taken nursing 15 years ago...I would talk with your BON but am guessing back to school would be the best option. Good luck!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 26, 2010

good advice here, including links to refresher program:

refresher programs: my licence has lapsed, ugh, retesting sounds challenging, advice?

please check with your bon for their requirements.

simirugrat · Apr 27, 2010

Thanks everyone for your insights...I know I would definitely have to go back to school...just not sure if I would have to start from the beginning. I will definitely be contactiing BON and looking into refresher courses that include clinical...thanks everyone!!!!

guest01/18/17 · May 26, 2010

So that's amazing! I thought it was just me! I graduated in 2003 and never took the boards or worked in the medical field. Whatother jobs are out there that I could use my nursing degree towards? I can't imagine going back to school again. So let's think outside the box! PLEASE HELP!!!!

panman · Jul 22, 2010

Reentry is "entertaining" enough having current licensure, therefore having passed boards.

My basic problem solving approach is to create a hierarchy of the easiest, cheapest, quickest, least invasive, most reversible, least damaging procedures - and take them in that order first. Off the cuff, something like the following:

The first thing I'd verify is if you could even take NCLEX, having graduated so long ago. If you can't take the NCLEX and therefore can't get licensed, there's no point in taking a refresher course.

If you can take the NCLEX, It'd makes sense to go that route first. Even if you fail, you've gotten your feet wet and you've loaded your brain in that direction.

Once you pass the NCLEX, if you can't get a job and get feedback cause it's no experience, then a refresher course with clinicals may help - and you might gain some confidence and make some useful contacts.

If you have to go back to school, many courses have a shelf life - particularly labs. You'll have to find out what you have to retake and how long it will take (given courses are often offered in sequence or only certain semesters).

Probably no matter what you do it may not end up being like starting over but it's probably going to feel that way for a lot longer time than you'd like.

You might think about looking for some volunteer or aide work in an area of choosing as well. That would give you a better feel before you make a long term investment regarding the direction you're thinking of taking, gear you up for job hunting, make some contacts, and perhaps even provide some shortcut or set up a potential job in advance.

Most of all, make a start and expand - thinking is entertaining but you have to do something to change something.