Returning nurse needs preceptor

[mp1420]

I've been out of nursing for 10 yrs and would love to return. I live in Texas and they require that I have a minimum of 80 hours of clinical experience under a preceptor to reactivate my license, which I find very reasonable. The problem I'm discovering is that the hospitals in my area will only provide preceptorship to the schools they are contracted with. Does anyone know of a way around this? Any advice would be very appreciated and passed along.

[caliotter3]

I would approach a school's admin department (Director), and ask if you could enroll in a refresher course or another nursing "ancillary" course, such as pharm, med terminology, med math, or whatever (check the course schedule online for ideas), and then use that enrollment (student status) to write up a contract to join a clinical group as a "lone wolf" (since your requirements might be a tad different than the other students'). You would have to pay clinical fees, meet clinical requirements, and carry malpractice insurance same as the other students. I see no reason why this accommodation could not be made for you, other than someone would not want to bother.

[caliotter3]

Another idea is to go to a LTC facility, or any other facility for that matter, and ask for this accommodation in return for a minimum amount of employment afterward. LTC facilities might be more interested in helping you out if it is difficult to get employees in your area.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

LTC, was my ticket, they were estatic to get 80hrs of "free nursing care".....â„¢it ended with a very nice administrative position over the next few years with the same company, even to the level of DON at two of their facilities , best wishes