For Inactive Nurses desiring to return to the field

Nurses Retired

Published

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!;)

And how much money does it cost them to orient new grads? Alot more than orienting you and having you up to speed in half the time of a new grad!!

Lindarn, RN, BSN

Spokane, Washington

And another thing, if there is such a "nursing shortage", why aren't hospitals stepping up to the plate, and offering to provide refresher classes to older RNs who want to return to work? In exchange for working there for x number of months, years. Just like they offer new grads- work and training in exchange for a guaranteed amount of work. Instead if expecting older nurses to pay, up front, for these, "refresher courses", out of their own pockets. Do new grads pay for their orientations? Of course not. Its a no brainer. So why are older nurses who left the bedside and work, expected to pay for "refresher classes", to get back up to speed?

It seems, as I stated above, that bringing older, experienced, nurses up to speed in a fraction of the time it would take to get a new grad in the same position of compentancy, that they would be knocking each other out to put together "educational, older nurse, return to work" packages. They are always crying about finances in hospitals, and how much money they need. I would think that this would be a priority for them as a cost saving measure. Or am I missing something? Is it the sound of nursing postions being sucked dry for new grads and foreign nurses? Or is it the sound of administration using just another method of controlling nurses to keep them powerless?

Prevent experienced nurses, who have already "been around the block", from "contaminating" the "wet behind the ears", new grads, with revolutionary talk about staffing ratios, respect, pay, benefits, etc. Decide for yourself. JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

0 Votes

Hi Meleo16. I don't know what state you're licensed, but in CA., you don't have to retake your license until it has expired for 7 years. You would just apply to have the license reinstated with up to date CE units. Just in case you're in a different state, call the BON of your state and ask them what you need to do. Good luck.

0 Votes
Hi Meleo16. I don't know what state you're licensed, but in CA., you don't have to retake your license until it has expired for 7 years. You would just apply to have the license reinstated with up to date CE units. Just in case you're in a different state, call the BON of your state and ask them what you need to do. Good luck.

Thank you for you support. My licenses has never been inactive- I have maintained active licensure for the entire time that I have not worked. I have also maintained currency in BLS and ACLS. I attend the National Teaching Institute Critical Care Symposium sponsored by the AACN, and earn 30 -40 CEUs every year.

As you can see, I have been active and there is no reason why I cannot get hired. i just got another letter telling me that they do not want to hire me and will look elsewhere for potential applicants. What can I say?

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

0 Votes

Hi LindaRN. My previous thread, above yours, was in reply to another person that posted (Meleo16). As for your situation, it seems you've been away from nursing but have kept your license up to date; what you probably need is a refresher course that includes clinical experiences/exposure in a hospital setting. If you are in the bay area, I can refer you to the institution that offers this. Good luck.

0 Votes

Scooter:

You have run up against a reality in the field, that there is an increasingly high wall between acute care and other types of nursing. May states are considering adding re-education requirements to their NP Acts, before inactive nurses can return to the acute care environment. This trend is driven by the fear of lawsuits, on one hand, but also by the academic establishment in nursing that sees a chance to make a buck. OJT is fine, some of the time anyway, but nurse educators won't vote against their pocketbooks.

I got my RN in 2004, worked briefly as a med-surg nurse, but had to leave the field d/t medical reasons, a hiatus that became 3 years. I took a refresher course, because I could not get employers to take me seriously otherwise. That's the sad reality we face.

My view is that we cannot solve the nursing shortage if we continue to erect so many obstacles in the way of those trying to enter the profession. They'll go where the pay is better and the conditions less onerous.

0 Votes
Specializes in PEDS-HEM/ONC.

I must have just gotten lucky. I was out for 16 years and rehired to my old position without a problem. I am finishing a two month re-orientation this week. It hasn't been easy, but really, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. My confidence is coming back and I am starting to feel like I will do well.

I encourage you all to keep looking. I know that when I interviewed the main concern was computer charting and my ability to pick that up. Apparently they have had problems with re-entry nurses catching on to the new technologies. It's like anything else though, you just need to be oriented.

Good luck.

0 Votes

Does any one know of an on line pharmacy refresher course? I am in need of one for my AF reserve squadron. I haven't worked in 6 years and failed my pharmacy test that I have to take and pass. Thanks in advance.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

0 Votes

Try "Pharmacology Make Insanely Easy" Loretta Mannning and Sylvia Rayfield, ICAN Publishing, Bossier City, LA2002

I'm sure there is an updated edition available online at Amazon, or at the publisher wesbite. I got mine at a Borders.

The books have tons of pnemonic devices, and other ways of remembering drug classes, names, functions and side-effects.

I am thinking of trying the military myself; are you a flight nurse? I ask because you said 'sqaudron' in your comment.

All the best -

Pete

0 Votes
Try "Pharmacology Make Insanely Easy" Loretta Mannning and Sylvia Rayfield, ICAN Publishing, Bossier City, LA2002

I'm sure there is an updated edition available online at Amazon, or at the publisher wesbite. I got mine at a Borders.

The books have tons of pnemonic devices, and other ways of remembering drug classes, names, functions and side-effects.

I am thinking of trying the military myself; are you a flight nurse? I ask because you said 'sqaudron' in your comment.

All the best -

Pete

Thanks, I will look it up. Yes, I am an AF Reserve Nurse at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington. I was a flight nurse about 15 years ago. You have a better chance of being a flight nurses in the reserves, than being active duty.

Where do you live? If you want to be a flight nurse, go for it. Thanks again.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

0 Votes

Hi, I just discovered this site- I too have been away from nursing for the past 5 years to raise my children. They are now at an age where I can comfortably be away from home and return to work. I have kept up my license and CPR. I was very nervous about returning to work- I know alot has changed, but I was fortunate to find a hospital that is willing to hire me and re-train me as to what my needs demand. They didn't require that I take a refresher course, although, I have been studying like crazy,new and old meds, and reviewing the basics(thank you internet) . I am doing my hospital orientation right now, my first day on the dept orientation is in two days, and I am nervous and also very excited. My manager is very understanding and encourages that we communicate my strengths and weaknesses to help my orientation process. Maybe I was just lucky to fall into this wonderful oppertunity, but jobs are out there and there are managers willing to train. Go to the hospital and fill out an application, followup daily until you are given an interview. Acknowledge the position you are in but be ready to give them reasons as to why ,even though you have been away from nursing for a while, that you would be an assett to their facility. (you value your patient, quick to learn, management skills,(face it; stay at home moms with children that have crazy schedules have great management skills!) you know what I mean. Well, I wish all of you the best in returning to the nursing profession :loveya:

0 Votes

smilesqd I wish you the best as I too had a similar situation. Same scenario. Manager said they would be there for me. Once I got to the floor it was a different story. It turned out they ask me to resign and now I am in a refresher course. I hope this never happens to you but it can so be prepared. I was very upset since they said they would help me but then decided not. One of the other students in my refresher course had the same situation. She was there 2days and told her her skills were too rusty after education department told her they would help her with her weaknesses.

0 Votes

:nono:Hello, I too been away for 5 years, taking care of my three kids too.I love nursing but when family matters..you have to think and prioritized things.I can say I am already successful with my nursing career.Sad that I have to choose only 1 career at the moment..being a wife and a mother of my 3 beautiful kids.

:nurse:Last four months ago, I tried to apply..want to be back to pick up the pieces where i left off with my nursing career.My son is already in grade two, the rest are still young.Their school hired me as a SCHOOL NURSE and I noticed that this is a job that I want for a moment.I can work and at the same time I can follow up my kids at school.I am happy and contented.I am beginning to read my nursing books again whenever I am free at work.I am still looking for a better job, not now, in the near future.

:heartbeatFor others who want to go back to the field..there's still a place for us..don't lost hope..just pray..and apply..God will do the rest for us.:saint:

Mommy Tata

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment