Returning to Nursing

[MurphysLaw]

Hello Everyone! I am an RN living in Florida, and I have been out of the nursing field for around 5 years, raising my little girl. I am thinking about going back to nursing when she starts school, partly because we could use the extra money, partly because I want to return to the world of adult conversation, and partly because I worked d*mned hard for my degree and I don't want to waste it! My problem is that I'm terrified I have forgotten all my nursing skills!

I suppose what I am seeking is reassurance. I realize that I need to update my knowledge on things like meds, etc., and I won't go back until I have been through a refresher course.

I'd like to know all your thoughts on the subject, and I'm sure some of you must have been in my situation! Thanks for any and all comments :-)

[szccdw]

Look into some of your local community colleges for a refresher course. This will help brush up any of the skills you may have forgotten.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Best of luck...the advice above sounds good to me.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

The refresher sounds good.

renerian

[Glad2behere]

I was out for 25 years! Pharmacology course, refresher course, and an internship and it all fell back into place. Wasn't hard.

[tonchitoRN]

congrats on your decision to go back to work. i too have been out for 3 years. i decided that i will return to school rather than work. you do not say where in fl you are but there are many refresher courses available in s. fl. good luck.

[Scavenger'sWife, RN]

Good for you! We need RN's who WANT to be there! Also check with some of the local employers. Some hospitals and ECF's will hire you and then pay for the refresher course as a part of the orientation process. (My hospital does.) Good luck!

[suenurse54]

GOOD for you!!!

I am doing the same thing after being out of nursing for 8 years. Had to take a refresher course and I still have to do the clinical portion (this month). Mine was thru Washington State U/ Intercollegiate College of Nursing. The theory portion is by coorespondence. The skills review is done at the campus in Spokane,WA. Then, the clinical is done in your home area at a facility of your choice. A contract is signed between the facility and WSU, and you have a preceptor. I am having "empty nest syndrome" before the nest is actually empty. We also need the money for college. I found working to be rewarding for the most part and I actually miss it. Good luck to you (and some for myself). HAHA

Sue

[MS Nurse]

I am also going to get back into nursing after our tour in Germany is over. Then I will have a total of 4 years out of the nursing field, at the moment I am enrolled in the Excelsior program and that keeps me somewhat current in theory! I have taken two exams so far and am glad to say that I have passed! They are not easy by no means.

I have to say that I am also a little worried when I get back into nursing after being out for such a long time and overseas. :chair: but hopefully with a good refresher course I should be back on track. It is just nice to know that I am not the only one that has been out of the field for awhile. Thanks for giving me a little more confidence that it can be done! :kiss

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I'm out going on 39 months. This gives mehopes and ideas . It is VERY nice to see others who miss the "life."

[renerian, BSN, RN]

P_RN wowwwwww what an avatar.......love the frog!

renerian

[Sekar]

When I retired from the Army, I took a 7 year break. I didn't realize that I would miss Nursing at all, much less how much I missed it. Go for it! It's like falling off a bike.