Thinking about going back after 13 years!!

[Swiss9500]

...is it even possible?

Hi everyone. I've been reading lots of posts the past few days. Very helpful and informative stuff on this website. Love it!

Here's my deal: Graduated in 1995 with ADN in Florida. Took boards (Florida), passed, and first child about 10 days later. Put license on inactive status the following year to stay home longer with baby. Never worked at all. Few years later husband transfered to New Jersey, had second child few years after that. Well, I've been home with the kids since then (1995) and have actually never worked as an R.N. Still in New Jersey now.

Now, it's something that's always bothered me...that I never went into it. I worked my tail off in nursing school, did very well, loved my classes, etc.

So here I am now, almost 13 years later and really wanting to get back into it, or should I say "go into it" as there really isn't anything to get back into, lol.

Also did the big sin of not keeping up with CE's so my license (Florida) has expired.

Now, here's where I need opinions. Called Florida DON yesterday and they said yes, it's expired, and if, say I was still living in Florida and wanted to practice, I would have to take the NCLEX again (which I figured...no problem with that...I'd devote about 6 months to re-studying everything).

Called New Jersey DON and they said (that this is where I think I'm being told incorrect into), that I have to fill out "licensure by endorsement" paperwork (pay fees, sumit fingerprints, give a bunch of other info, etc.), an that after processing all that paperwork, I can get a NJ RN license. That doesn't seem right. And I explained over and over that 1: my license is expired in Florida, not just on inactive status, and that 2: I've never worked as an RN. The woman then went on to say that if I had had my schooling in NJ and had originally taken my boards in NJ and was in the same situation as (meaning I let it expire), I would have to take the NCLEX over again in New Jersey (which makes sense).

See...it's like I'd have to take my boards over if everything stayed withing the same state (understandable), but because I'm "transferring" from one state to another, then can issue me a new license???? It just doesn't seem right. Does that make sense to any of you.

Like I said, I have no problem taking the boards again (not thrilled, of course, but I certainly understand why it would be required of me), and am going to start studying as if I have to, because I have a feeling that once all this endorsement paperwork gets processed, New Jersey is going to come back and say, "ohh, but your FL license is expired, you need to retake the NCLEX" to which I will be thinking "yeah, that's what I've been trying to say all along."

I also realize that the very least I have to take a refresher course. I've already found one that's 12 weeks long and looks pretty good and I plan to take in the spring. In the meantime, I'm going to devote the next 6 months or so to restudying.

Here's another question (oh, and if you're still readying this loooong post, thank you so much): What do you think would be the best way. To drag out my old textbooks and notes, or to get some of those other books at Borders...books like the "___________ Made Incredibly Easy." I was glancing at some the other day and some are quite comprehensive. Are there any other good books you would all recommend?

Thanks so much for reading this. I look forward to posting and reading more.

[TexasNurseEducator]

Kudos to you for completing Refresher Program. Yes, an internship is most appropriate for you. I have had several nurses that have returned and went into a speciaility area and they feel that was a good decision to do the internships. You can also ask for an extended orientation if an internships is not available when you are ready to return. Some areas like outpatient dialysis do a 12-16 week paid orientation.

Good luck,

[afranklin]

Where in the DFW area of Texas can you find such programs?

Thanks!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

For me PHESonline.com was a God send......... Great Program, clinicals, etc. .... They are mostly out of Houston/Stafford area, but I do know they hold programs all around major cities in Texas like Dallas and San Antonio on a rotation.

They were tops in my case ..... best of luck to you.

[PGH Karen]

I, too, am thinking about returning to nursing after working in a related business field for many years. I am in NJ also. I had an inactive license in NJ where I live, but I have a license in PA, where I went to school and originally practiced. In PA, I would probably need to take a refresher course to work, or an extensive precepted orientation.

I tried many times and left MANY messages (voicemail and email, since they never answer their phones live---helpful!) trying to get answers to my questions about how to go about it, thinking that I would need to re-apply for active status and then take a refresher course. I has planned on taking a refresher course online and then finding an 80 hour preceptorship in a local hospital, but when I finally reached a live person who answered at the NJ Board of Nursing, I was told I had to re-take the NCLEX. I'm studying for it.

I would like to ask New Jersey nurses: Has anyone re-taken the NCLEX after being out ten-plus years? And, do you have any other advice for me? I'm out of work and the sole provider in my family so I need to get working soon. Any other recommended strategies such as working first as a nursing assistant? Are any hospitals in Northern NJ more likely or interested in re-entry nurse than others that you know of?

Thanks for your help!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

do you still have an active pa. lis???? i thought i saw that you did. if inactive in pa., i would apply for re-activation, which has in most state's bon req. for the refresher course. i would try and get that pa. lis. active, especially if there is any va facility or clinic in your area, you only have to be lis. in any of the 50 states to work in the vetrans admin. system..... if not i might appear to have moved back to pa. and work somewhere, then appear to move back to nj, and apply for recerpros., or compact status....... just my twisted mind working... best of luck to you.:heartbeat