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Discussion

What would you do, please advise!

I am an RN that graduated in 2007 but only worked 4 months at two jobs before leaving to raise my family. I need to renew my license and because of the practice requirements I either need 965 hrs of worked time/volunteer time or I need to take a refresher OR I need to show proof of advancing my education in nursing (like current enrollment in a BSN course of study).

I would like to re-enter the workforce eventually so I know a refresher course is in order for the hands on nursing. However, with the economy being what it is and new grads having a hard time finding jobs, I know even with a refresher I'll look even LESS appealing than a new grad. Plus, my short work history. So...WWYD?

Take a refresher and risk not getting a job anyway after. Of course, If I didn't get pretty much immediate employment in nursing that refresher would be wasted. It would renew my license but I'd end up having to take another one when I did get a job!

OR

Enroll in RN-BSN classes while I continue to mostly full time SAH with my family. I figure this way I could plug along and in a couple years come out with a bachelors and that it would look better? Like I've been doing something? Do you think that would make me more marketable at that time...more marketable than if I just take a refresher now? Of course, by that time I'd also be hoping we'd have some degree of economic turnaround and we will again need nurses..(HOPING!!) If I needed money between then and now I'd just have to get a non-nursing job. I'd also have to take out financial aid because I don't have enough $$ to cover university tuition. But one day, I'd like to get a nursing job as a Health Coach or in UM or something. It appeals to me.

What do you think makes more sense in this economy? I'm just so torn. I know I don't want my license to go inactive though and I'd like to do something while I continue to SAH with my young children. If I took a refresher I'd take whatever job was offered and get some experience. My kids would go to daycare then.

Thank you for your help!

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    • Featured Replies

    Sounds like you've already decided you want to do the RN-BSN and be home with your kids a while longer.

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    I think I'd go the BSN route, too. In the end, you'd hopefully be more marketable with a BSN than new nurses with ASN.

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    I think I'd go the BSN route, too. In the end, you'd hopefully be more marketable with a BSN than new nurses with ASN.

    She's more marketable with the BSN, but I highly suggest she work per-diem somewhere.

    From my perspective, you are a new grad RN, and you will require a lot of training/re-training.

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    She's more marketable with the BSN, but I highly suggest she work per-diem somewhere.

    From my perspective, you are a new grad RN, and you will require a lot of training/re-training.

    My understanding was that the problem is that she won't be able to renew her license unless she takes a refresher or shows proof of advancing her nursing career, such as being enrolled in a BSN program. Unless she can somehow get enough per diem hours to make the 965 hour requirement before her license actually expires?

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    • Expert

    I would go with the RN to BSN route because it will look more plausible to prospective employers as a "reason" for not being in the workforce. A refresher course only, will point out the fact that you haven't been working. Also, with the RN to BSN program, in the end, you will come out with a better employment picture. Meanwhile, start thinking about nursing employment. A good place to start that will not be too taxing, would be to do immunization clinics during flu season. Look into it now because they are already hiring for the work starting in September. Good luck.

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    • Author

    Thank you for the replies. Yes, I am leaning towards the BSN route for the reasons stated by caliotter3. I guess I am thinking it just might look better. I'll die if I go that route and go through all the financial aid and STILL can't get a job!!

    Also..caliotter3...I am already hired on to do Immunizations this fall. However, I hired on last year too but wasn't one of the first few that actually got the shifts. It was a crazy mess in my state. Hoping it turns out better for us all this time around! I won't, however, be able to work enough to fulfill the practice requirement, but yeah it would be something. But...if I went and applied in a hospital I don't think any reasonable hiring manager would say "Oh..she's been doing flu shots..so she CAN be an RN on my floor". I think despite they will still be looking for that refresher or BSN.

    And per diem? New grads can't do that. If I could somehow work PT or per diem right now you bet I would..after a lot of refreshing of course. Part of the reason for my leaving nursing outright was NO PART TIME or per diem jobs available for new grads. It was full time or the highway...

    Thanks again!

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    • Expert

    I don't know if the BSN-completion would do that much to make you more "marketable" than a refresher course -- a refresher course is focused on actual clinical skills and knowledge, while all nursing recruiters, managers, etc., are aware that a BSN-completion program has almost nothing to do with real-life, hands-on nursing practice. Once you finish the BSN, you'll still be a person who hasn't practiced nursing since 2007.

    Starting a BSN completion program now isn't going to account for your absence from nursing since 2007, so I don't see that it would benefit you in that regard, either, in job hunting. Potential employers are still going to be able to see that you graduated and got licensed in 2007, worked for a few months, and haven't worked in nursing since.

    Employers are really unenthusiastic about "stale" new grads (for good reason), which is basically what you are. And asking an employer to provide the extended "refreshing" and orientation that you would need is not a v. practical option in this economy. A formal refresher course is specifically about getting back up to speed on basic clinical practice -- I would think that would be your best bet at this point -- for your own competence and knowledge as well as "marketability."

    Just my :twocents:. :) Best wishes!

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    I think I would take the refresher class. See if that works first, if not then try the BSN route. At least after you take the refresher course you can renew your license. Just my thought.

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    • Author

    I see your point Elkpark!

    Maybe I should do the refresher and the BSN lol. Something tells me that will be hard to pull off with a 2 yr old and a 5 month old! HA!

    Well, hopefully when I do go back, taking time off to stay at home with my kids will be understandable. If not..guess I'll be picking another proefession!

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    I am a new nurse, but I remember hearing over and over NEVER let your license expire.

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    I'm on the fence about refresher vs. BSN, but you might check hospitals near you to see if any have a TCU that would hire you per diem. That would allow you to get your feet wet as an RN in a less acute setting than the main hospital, but shouldn't be as overwhelming as LTC can be.

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