Re-entry after 18! years?

NurseAngie · Feb 27, 2003

Hi Kate's Mom,

Check with the Ohio Board of Nursing. They should be able to direct you in the right direction. I am not sure that a refresher course would suffice since you have been inactive for 18 years. Do you have an inactive license? I wish you well!

~Angie

katscan · Feb 27, 2003

Where in Southern Ohio do you live? I live close to Kings Island in Mason and work in West Chester. I have seen some refresher courses advertized in the past, and I would be happy to see if I can find out for you. Kathy

wv_nurse 2003 · Feb 27, 2003

Call your local Community College or University with a nursing program. A lot of colleges are offering refresher courses, or they may let you audit some courses to refresh.

Best of luck to you !!

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 27, 2003

With the current shortage crisis, how can they NOT want you back? Check w/the OBN right away. GOOD LUCK!

mrh1953 · Feb 27, 2003

Hello, Kate's Mom--

I was surprised at the coincidence of seeing this thread as I just got off the telephone moments ago from speaking with a contact for a "Nursing Update" program. My situation is very similar to yours in terms of timing.

I think that if/when I return to active nursing, I'll feel like a new grad once more. I only hope I can even qualify for a program somewhere.

Please feel free to send me a PM (private message) if you want to chat more about this. I'm feeling a bit out of the loop and think that regaining my confidence will be the biggest challenge.

Thanks for starting this thread!

Margaret

AmyLiz · Feb 27, 2003

Kate's Mom...

I'm attending Sinclair Community College in Dayton & they've got an RN refresher course. If you're not in the Dayton area, you may want to try & call your local community college. :)

Mattigan, RN · Feb 27, 2003

FYI-I hired a nurse to work Peds who had been out of the work force for 22 years. She had quit when she had babies and stayed at home . Her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's and is unable to work so she had to get a job. It has been a lot of hard work for her to catch up and sometimes for us to slow down and help her but it's turning out great. She's been here a year and doing great and without a formal reentry program. Just wanted you to know a recent success story.

Kate's Mom · Feb 27, 2003

Wow! You are all great! This was my very first post & I received 7 answers in a little over 2 hours!

Unfortunately, I don't know what I'm doing & I've tried 3 times to post a reply. This is my 4th try. I just hope it goes through! I'm getting tired of typing so I'll just answer a few questions now & try again later.

Yes, I have a current license. I've done the minimum CEU work & sent in the $ for renewal each time.

I live in Pike county - about 90 minutes south of the Columbus city limits.

I did contact the OBN some time back. I was told that I could go get a job! They had no suggestions about refresher courses & seemed quite unconcerned about my lack of experience & time out of nursing.

Auditing classes is a great idea! Our local JVS is opening an LPN program. Do you think auditing their classes would be enough or do I need to find an RN program to audit? Thoses are farther away but might be do-able.

Thanks for all the encouragement & the rapid replys!

Kate's Mom · Feb 28, 2003

Well, I got that reply posted, so I'm going to try again.

Mattigan - Where are you? I might want to work for you! LOL Honestly, I admire your willingness to work with that nurse who had been out 22 years so that she could get back into her career at a difficult time in her life. Did she have much prior experience in peds?

I have a lot of questions related to re-entry. I hope you all have some more good answers for me! :)

Would it be better for me to decide on a specialty before I start studying for re-entry? I thought there might be less info to review that way.

What fields would you recommend for someone who is basically starting over? I still have 2 young daughters, so I'm thinking of office nursing or same-day surgery or school nursing. . . something where I won't work evenings or nights. I worked both shifts in my previous jobs & loved them, but I love my girls more & want to be home with them as much as possible.

I know there are a lot of new fields out there for nurses, but I'm really ignorant of most of them. I'd consider working for an insurance company giving telephone advice or something like that, but I have no idea what's available or how to get into those jobs. I like studying & writing reports so I could be interested in something like writing CEU courses, but of course I'd have to study each topic since I don't have a lot of experience in any one thing. Do any of you have "less traditional" nursing jobs (i.e. not working in a hospital, nursing home, or doctor's office, etc.)? What can you tell me about them?

Well, I have to go change a diaper, so I'll check back with you later. Thanks again for all the advice & ideas! You all are great!

NurseAngie · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by Mattigan
FYI-I hired a nurse to work Peds who had been out of the work force for 22 years. She had quit when she had babies and stayed at home . Her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's and is unable to work so she had to get a job. It has been a lot of hard work for her to catch up and sometimes for us to slow down and help her but it's turning out great. She's been here a year and doing great and without a formal reentry program. Just wanted you to know a recent success story.

Wow! Very interesting...both the Tennessee BON and the Kentucky BON require a refresher course if you have not worked within the past 5 years. Licenses are also stamped "inactive" after 5 years of unemployment.

Personally speaking here...I did not feel confident enough to take on a position after being unemployed for 4 years and I am back in school. I am learning new things everyday and reinforcing the knowledge I did have. I sure can't imagine being away for 22 years!

~Angie

opalmRN · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by Mattigan
FYI-I hired a nurse to work Peds who had been out of the work force for 22 years. It has been a lot of hard work for her to catch up and sometimes for us to slow down and help her but it's turning out great.

WOW you and the staff should be applauded.

Good for you to realize the valuable asset you have before you.

Kudos to you, the staff and the back in saddle again nurse!

c