Retire? Inactivate? Neither?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Informatics.

I've been a licensed RN since December of 2001.  I've always been a Pediatric nurse, and specialized in Pediatric Oncology.  After moving to an area where I could not continue Peds Oncology nursing, I took a job in Nursing Informatics.  Since then, I've taken a position as an interface analyst and I no longer need my nursing license for my job.  I have no adult nursing experience, I don't have an active BLS nor active ACLS status.  I haven't had nursing orientation at my current facility, and I have not established skills competency at this organization.  Recently, in response to Hurricane Ida and COVID, I was forced to sign up to work on Med/Surg.  I was totally uncomfortable, having not taken care of a patient since 2009 and no adult care since nursing school.  The Med/Surg unit did not offer me an orientation and could not guarantee that I would not have a patient load when I arrived.  Luckily, I got my shifts covered by someone else, but now I'm left in a bad spot.  If I keep my license active, my hospital could press me into what I consider an unsafe assignment.  If I retire or inactivate my license, I will lose flexibility should I need to reinstate my license for another position.  My hospital does not have a Pediatric unit, so offering my service there is out of the question.  I am so hesitant to retire my license, but I don't see another option.  What would you do? 

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I retired in 2014 and went on disability, but kept my license active for four more years “just in case” I wanted to go back. I still had enough practice hours to keep my license, so I paid my fees and went on my way. Unfortunately, the time came when I had NO practice hours, and I put my license into Retired status. The only real benefit to this is I can still use the designation of RN, but I have to put Ret. behind it. I know I’ll never nurse again—too much time has gone by and I’m too old and decrepit to sacrifice my knees and spine (to say nothing of my mental well-being) to bedside nursing.
 

But that was the solution for me; your mileage may vary. If you’re unsure, don’t put your license in either inactive or retired status…you may very well find another job where you’re not subjected to floating to unfamiliar settings. Good luck to you. 

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

My opinion is to keep your options open. I wouldn't inactivate a license because of what an employer "might" do.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Informatics.

I’ve decided to hang on to my license now.  If the hospital pushes us to pick up shifts, I’ll push back to get some training first.  If it comes to it, I’ll retire it, but hopefully it won’t go that far.

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Have you considered taking an online RN refresher course? You can just Goggle " online RN refresher course". There are several accredited schools with in person hands on training for RNs. 

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