Return to nursing

Repat · Jun 12, 2002

Hi everyone!! Great to hear from you all. I am now working on a 35 bed telemetry unit - talk about in at the deep end! The staff and administrators have been incredibly supportive. I have just been taken off of orientation, and although there are many things I still need to do, I feel that I can at least care competently for the lower acuity patients on the floor. July will bring a disrhythmia class that I am looking forward to, then critical care classes in the fall and ACLS eventually. I love being back - the hospital has been fabulous about offering education and great back up. I can't believe how busy it is, and sometimes I wonder if I am too old to keep up the pace, but then I have a really together shift and I feel better. I am working a Work on Weekends program, and I look forward to my five days off after two twelves on the weekends! So, to anyone thinking about it, if you've been gone a while the return to nursing classes are a godsend. Talk to the area hospitals - the ones here at least seem very open to helping you back on your feet!

Repat · Jun 12, 2002

jcooper, I forgot to say that when I began to look into returning the KY Board of Nursing had a few on-line and distance returners' courses. You had to arrange your own clinical, but if local hospitals are offering preceptorships you may be able to do that. I can't remember where the courses are now, but the VA Board may know of them. Also, Boston College has a great program with a thorough brochure that might be worth writing away for for ideas. Good luck!!

mattsmom81 · Jun 12, 2002

I think it's great that hospitals are now creating return to work internships for nurses who have stayed home to raise their kids! Good luck to all of you who are 'coming back into the fold'. You are very much needed! :)

MollyJ · Jun 17, 2002

I've posted here forever, so I'm pretty familiar to you all.

I've been continuously licensed but haven't been at the bedside in almost 7 years. AND I quit the drug prevention job at the school for a variety of reasons. I'm nervous about being jobless, but hubby and I think we can do it.

BUT I have thought that if we needed a cash infusion I might approach the local hospital about doing some prn (2 shifts a pay period). Which I think is a trickier proprosition. But like everyone else who has thought about returning to nursing, there's been a bout a billion drugs patented, all the needleless IV technology, a 100 new medical gadgets and procedures. It's daunting.

So do you think the local hospital would offer ME some kind of internship if I promised to work 2 days a pay period for at least 18 months? I think the hospital would posssibly (with my MSN and case management background) to offer me some other positions BUT I really don't want to get on the work treadmill, where you come home preoccupied about patient problems and have meetings to attend when you'd rather be at your kids school program; that's the whole idea behind quitting now. Anyhow, back in the 70's and 80's the hospital woundn't have looked twice at a proposition like this; are things different now?

What do you think?

cboconnor · Mar 2, 2012

I too am trying to return to nursing, in Texas, after over nine years of raising kids, etc. I took a nursing refresher course with clinical hours. I've kept my license current all this time. I'm still finding it difficult to find employment in my field of expertise, Labor and Delivery, because I don't have "current" experience. I have over 11 years of experience! I'm pretty sure babies are delivered the same way as when I left nursing. The charting and machinery may have changed, but I can't believe that reading it would be any different. I'm having trouble getting past human resources. They weed out anyone without that all important current experience. I haven't seen anything online in Texas or at the hospitals in the area that welcome back returning nurses. Anyone out there returned successfully in Texas. I would appreciate any help!

glencovediva · Mar 3, 2012

Hi! This is my first posting!!! I am attempting to return to nursing after a LONG absence (10 years since my last job, 15 since I was last a staff nurse). I have completed a return to nursing classroom course, but have no recent clinical experience. Has anyone ever done this? Has anyone ever hired someone such as me?! Thanks for your help!

I wish you the best of luck. I, too, have been out of nursing for 5 years due to medical and surgical issues. I will be 5 years cancer-free in April. Then I hope to do a Nurse Refresher course at Adelphi University. It's about $2200. Do any of you know someone who has taken this course, and if I would be able to get financial aid?

Columnist · Mar 3, 2012

Moved to Nursing Career Advice for more response.