For Inactive Nurses desiring to return to the field

Nurses Retired

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I would like to hear from any nurse who has been out of the field of nursing for a time, and thinking about returning. I have been inactive for four years due to a medical sabbatical, but am now looking into becoming a Parish Nurse.

I have always maintained an active nursing license in some state since my medical sabbatical, and have kept my BCLS card up to date until this past month when it expired, but I am working on updating it now. I also let my PALS expire, and won't update that unless I return to work in pediatrics.

For any of you who have been out for awhile, and have successfully returned, how difficult was it for you to be hired, and how many of you took a RN refresher course before applying for a job? Did the refresher course teach you anything that you didn't already know, or would you recommend it to other nurses returning to the field?

Thanks for your input, nurses!;)

Specializes in ER; floor charge nurse; PA.

I came across this site as I was checking out RN refresher courses in our area - Twin Cities, MN. It was nice to see others in my situation, BUT I think I have everyone beat: I have not worked since 1974. I worked only two years before having children. I worked ER and then was hired by am MD who trained me in as his assistance - long before PA's were in vogue.

I've raised eight children. My youngest is twelve. I was an ADN grad, but last year I finished up a bachelor degree in psychology. I have also been very active in pursuing training with ICISF and CISM. I am now considering reactivating my RN license - maybe even get a job. I am a little discouraged though, as I read the posts. Any one have thoughts to give me. I am a young 56 - kids do that for you! Thank you for any ideas! :nuke:

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count me in!all i thought i am the only one having such problem!been inactive ever since i had my license...so frustrating!i don't really know where to begin.....i will be very glad for any suggestion....:-)

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:( I've posted earlier, am an inactive nurse too from the Phils. Didn't had any experience ever since I got my license, had a 3 month refresher training but seem not enough. I am under K1 petition, I don't know how it would be for me arriving in the US though am on my reviews right now but still so worried, not even sure if hospitals will accept me. Please anyone could share what are the steps to follow to keep things smooth for us?

Thank you so much.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Just wanted to share that there are hospitals out there willing to hire nurses that have been out for awhile. I only worked for just over a year out of school at a children's hospital before becoming a stay at home mom. I was out of the nursing field for nearly 8 years when I decided to go back. I took an online refresher course through a CC and after completing my clinical hours I got hired by a community hospital with a small pediatric floor. I've now been working there for almost a year. It almost feels like I wasn't out of nursing for all those years.

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Here's my experience:

I worked for 4 years at a Philippine ER and took a break for 3 years. There was no refresher course in my area and up to now, I couldn't find a hospital who would take me in if I pursue the RN online resfresher course from Mount Carmel College of Nursing (I compared all that was listed in rn.ca.gov and what my searches have produced and so far,this is the best in terms of price and curriculum).

I applied for an ER position in one of the hospitals here. The Nurse Recruiter didn't even schedule me for an interview. I was able to get one through friends that work in the ER (they talked to the Director).

Unfortunately, the Director said "that though you have potential, but since you stopped working for 3 years and have no US experience, I couldn't afford to re-train you."

I applied at a Nursing Home and got accepted (they are literally desperate for RNs). The NH experience made me want to go back to the hospital more.

I then applied to our county hospital, I didn't get a reply. I decided then to take this hospital's ACLS and talked to the instructor which happened to be its Nsg Education Director. She told me that they could probably host the clinical component of my refresher course but since I only stopped for 3 years, she doesn't think I don't need it. She advised me to apply. I did, and the HR said there's no vacancy as of the moment.

After 2 wks, I followed up and decided to name-drop (hehe) and mentioned the conversation I had with the ACLS instructor. The HR asst called me the following morning and told me I don't need the refresher course and offered me a Per Diem Float Pool nursing interview. I initially accepted, but changed my mind. FLoat nursing is stressful and is not right for me at this time. I would seriously reconsider if it were a Full Time Position, but it is not.

Since this county hospital is a teaching hospital, I would think that they would accept me in their New Grad / Re-entry RN program (yes, they accept re-entry RNs) but I was wrong. I told the HR asst that if there was no vacancy for that, I am still interested in doing the online refresher, and if they could allow me to do the clinicals there. I'm still waiting for a reply.

I am thinking of applying to a versant program in SoCal, even if it is for New Grads. I would update you if it works for me.

Best of luck to everyone! :redbeathe

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WOW good for you to keep fighting.. I also was out for 3yrs and waiting to hear from the nurse manager I talk to last week. I will let you guys know too.

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Hi, im really glad 2 have joined this forum. I also have the same dillema as anybody here. I have not worked for 5 years now but really want to go back as a nurse. I have worked abroad before, from 2000 to 2003, but after having kids, i decided to to be a fulltime mom,since my husband is working abroad. But now that my two kids, ages 3 and 5 years, are now in the USA as LPR, i really want to go back work again as a nurse to be with my kids. Do you have any idea what shld be my first step in achieving that?

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"...since I only stopped for 3 years, she doesn't think I don't need it. "

-- I should have written "she didn't think I need it" Haha! Sowee..

yojzar_2000,

where r u at? r u fr d phils?

if needed,

activ8 ur license -enroll in a review ctr & retake d boards (inquire at PRC)

if u still have ur license, enroll in a trng program offered by hospitals. the philippine general hospital's advancement program for clinical nursing is excellent (6mos duration, u have to pay for it though, but totally worth every cent! m a grad of it myself)

or u cld try applying 4 a job at asian hospital in alabang, I heard their new employee orientation is very good, & it's also 6mos..

hope this helps! =)

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I hope that nurse mngr's not d one I talked to this morning! Kidding!

Well, if it is, hope we fill 2 of d 3 vacancies! Yay! =) Good luck to us!

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u can start applying at agencies once u r done w/ at least a yr of employment.. then take ur nclex & ielts-- d agency will help u w/ this..

but if u r being petitioned as well, u can just take ur nclex in the US..once u have ur US license, take a refresher course or just apply at a nursing home.. and later transfer to a hosp.. =)

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u can start applying at agencies once u r done w/ at least a yr of employment.. then take ur nclex & ielts-- d agency will help u w/ this..

but if u r being petitioned as well, u can just take ur nclex in the us..once u have ur us license, take a refresher course or just apply at a nursing home.. and later transfer to a hosp.. =)

seems a good advise on my part nursemanon...i'm waiting for my petition,too.been inactive since i graduated...(though i volunteered in 3 hosp but lasted only 3 mos. each,argh!and that was long ago...)

i'm considering to take the nclex here,apply to a certain state that does not require sss# but the lack of working experience is holding me.:uhoh3:

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Great news!

The Director who couldn't hire me before wanted to meet to talk again about a position in his ER! I didn't expect this! :yeah:

And the county hospital hired me! :chuckle

So, guys, it is possible to go back, even if you don't have a refresher course (better if u do). Just go out there and start applying!

Good luck! :redbeathe

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