Returning after 17 years out of nursing

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Specializes in Surgical ICU 3 years, L&D 7 years.

Hi all, I saw some older threads about this, but thought I'd bring it up again. I'm Lisa, a "mature" RN returning to the workforce, hopefully. I have 7 kids ranging from 23yo down to 5yo and our youngest is getting ready to start Kgarten in a few weeks. I worked for 10 years, SICU and then L&D, then have been home for the past 17 years. I was not too bright and let my RN license lapse, so had to take an RN Remedial course to get relicensed. It was 80 theory hours online and 96 clinical in a hospital.

I'm looking for advice on where to even look for jobs at this point in my life. I have some restrictions on my time availability because my husband travels frequently for his job, plus our 8yo has type 1 diabetes and I have to be available to go to school as needed (school nurses here are few and far between and not too good, from what we've seen). Me being a school nurse isn't an option because our district only uses LPNs from an agency in a few schools and then medical assistants in other schools, if anything. So....all this means hospital nursing would be very difficult because I can't work nights and leave my kids, and have to be available by phone at all times.

I was thinking home health and even had an interview, but right now patient census is very low in our area and the DON told me new Medicare stuff is making it hard on them, but she'll call me as soon as things pick up. I'd prefer a job sooner than that, and want part-time or per-diem, about 20 hours a week.

I've applied online for home health agencies, flu shot clinics, and an ambulatory surgical center. Any other suggestions? Are all job applications online now, or should I start to walk in and hand resumes out in person? It's been so long since I've done this, and in the past, you'd just walk in, have the right experience and they'd basically hire you on the spot.

Any suggestions or btdt advise is very welcome!:)

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where do you live? where did you take your refrsher course?

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Specializes in Surgical ICU 3 years, L&D 7 years.

I live in Broward county , Florida....the Ft Lauderdale area. I took the RN Remedial class at Capscare in Lake Worth. It was a bit of a drive doing the clinicals but much easier than the other closest option of Miami.

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LisaMR,

I am doing the same thing as you. I have been out of nursing for 16 years raising 2 children and it is time for me to go back. I never thought that I would have to but the economy has forced me to. I have taken a refresher course with SD state. 120 book hours and then 80 clinical hours. I live in South Carolina so we have to set up our own clinicals and have them approved by South Dakota State and then the SC board of nursing. I have also been thinking about home health but just don't know yet. The job situation is much different then it was 20 years ago. Good luck to you.

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kimmert19: i just started my sdsu refresher program...how did you like it? i am in illinois.

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Specializes in Home Health.

In Florida, have you tried Synergy or Senior Home care?

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If there are Staffing agencies in your area, I'd recommend you start there You can accept or reject the jobs offered, choose days and shifts.

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Specializes in ICU/NICI/PICU/Pulmonary/GI.
Hi all, I saw some older threads about this, but thought I'd bring it up again. I'm Lisa, a "mature" RN returning to the workforce, hopefully. I have 7 kids ranging from 23yo down to 5yo and our youngest is getting ready to start Kgarten in a few weeks. I worked for 10 years, SICU and then L&D, then have been home for the past 17 years. I was not too bright and let my RN license lapse, so had to take an RN Remedial course to get relicensed. It was 80 theory hours online and 96 clinical in a hospital.

I'm looking for advice on where to even look for jobs at this point in my life. I have some restrictions on my time availability because my husband travels frequently for his job, plus our 8yo has type 1 diabetes and I have to be available to go to school as needed (school nurses here are few and far between and not too good, from what we've seen). Me being a school nurse isn't an option because our district only uses LPNs from an agency in a few schools and then medical assistants in other schools, if anything. So....all this means hospital nursing would be very difficult because I can't work nights and leave my kids, and have to be available by phone at all times.

I was thinking home health and even had an interview, but right now patient census is very low in our area and the DON told me new Medicare stuff is making it hard on them, but she'll call me as soon as things pick up. I'd prefer a job sooner than that, and want part-time or per-diem, about 20 hours a week.

I've applied online for home health agencies, flu shot clinics, and an ambulatory surgical center. Any other suggestions? Are all job applications online now, or should I start to walk in and hand resumes out in person? It's been so long since I've done this, and in the past, you'd just walk in, have the right experience and they'd basically hire you on the spot.

Any suggestions or btdt advise is very welcome!:)

Hi There. I have been there. After a 14 year hiatus to raise 3 daughters, I did a refresher program. I did NOT do the clinical aspect because it was adult med-sur centered. I was a NICU nurse. In retrospect, I should have done the clinical.

Anyway, I started as an immunization nurse with Maxim. That was just seasonal. Most shifts were 3 or 4 hours. I was able to get home for the bus. After the season ended, Maxim wanted me to stay on and do well-baby visits for newborns. that was fun. Eventually, to get more hours, I signed up for another agency for pediatric work. Again, the shifts were rather short and I could still get home for the bus. Finally,I found a pediatric day care facility that was willing to train me as a pulmonary nurse....trachs/vents/tons of new meds and respiratory treatments. This was great for a few years.

If you can find an agency to train you on vent/trach care (like Bayada or PSA), you will be back in the saddle in no time. My other friends in the same boat as I, went to long-term care facilities on Saturdays with a great deal of ease even though we all live in a very tight nursing market.

Good Luck.

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yrmajesty3: where do you live? so glad to hear you and others you know are back at work!

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Specializes in Acute Care, CM, School Nursing.

Just wanted to pop in and say that the SDSU RN refresher course was great!

I live in NY, and it was the only refresher I could find, that included theory and clinical. I had been at home with my kids for 7 years, and found out that after 5 years, employers want you to have done a refresher. I don't know if it's a law?? Either way, I am glad I did it.

Prior to signing up for the course, I would recommend that you first make sure that there are facilities near your home that have contracts with SDSU (to complete the clinical portion). The hospital I used was kind of far, almost 90 minutes away from me. But, it was OK, since it was only temporary.

The woman that I dealt with at SDSU was awesome! Very helpful and nice.

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i agree!!

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Hi,

I am new here to the board and I have been out of nursing for 19 years. I placed my license on inactive status several years ago and just never got around to reactivating it (life got really busy). I live in Illinois and I am trying to figure out what the situation is with re-entering the field. I am 51 and wondering if, after going through all the "hoops", any place will hire me?

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