Refresher Courese in Maryland, if you graduated 5 years ago??

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Specializes in Gerontology & Med/Surge.

Hey all, I graduated in December 2004 and failed the NCLEX twice. I took a break then and just passed it this December. So it has been 5 years since I graduated. Now I am being told by the hospitals that they cant hire me until I take a Registered Nurse Refresher course. Does any one know if thats right? Or has it happened with any one else in any other state?

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You'd have to check with your state BON to see if there's a statewide requirement for taking a refresher course after a certain amount of time away from patient care or a signficant lapse between graduating and passing the NCLEX. Otherwise, it may be a preference of the facilities you're applying at or your whole geographic area as opposed to a legal requirement.

Maybe try posting this in the Maryland forum (under the Region tab). Congrats on passing!

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Congratulations!!

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If this is what they are telling you that you must do before they will hire you, then follow their instructions. A refresher course won't hurt, especially if it gets you hired. Good luck.

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It is up to the facility to make that decision. I am a LPN and hadn't worked in 6 years. I applied for a job in 2008 and was hired and I did not have to take a refresher course. I did not let my license lapse. I continued to renew every 2 years. Most facility do want a refresher course. North Carolina offer a RN refreshaer course and it cost 1500 and up. Tiny3:nurse:

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The state BON can usually provide a list of approved refresher courses, and then you can choose from that list.

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

My understanding is that in Maryland if you have not worked the required hours to maintain your license that a refresher course in necessary. This is a BON requirement, NOT an indiviudal employer's requirement. Contact the BON and request a ruling. The problem is you graduated in 2004, it is NOW 2010 and you have NO licensed RN experience. Refresher is definitely warranted I believe.....JMHO. Good Luck.

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