How can a nurse who has been away from the bedside for more than 10 years get back in there? Any recommendations?

If you’ve been away from nursing for 10 years there’s a process to get back in and it’s basically legalities. If you’ve been away from bedside for 10 years but have continued to be a nurse with a valid license it would be very easy you know why? Because none of us get into this job because we absolutely love it Maybe some of us do but the truth is it’s about your heart. It’s about your fellow man. It’s about the goodness that you can do to help somebody. It has nothing to do with whether they live or die it has to do with whether or not you know how to comfort the soul that has lost a loved one. It’s the comfort you bring the person that knows they’re not going to live much longer. I’ve been doing this job for 21 years I left it for two years to go to occupational health nursing in a uranium mine. And the truth is when I got back nothing changed I was the same person I was when I started my nursing profession.♥️

Are you wanting to go back to bedside nursing? Question doesn’t help to know where you’ve been or want to go. I’ve been at bedside 27yrs though I just transitioned back to ICU from Wound & Ostomy care. I LOVE only working my 3 days & being done with work. It took me a while to interview with directors who saw I had the skills. My only fall back is ALL the computer stuff one has to know to chart on every hour, 4, 12, admit and discharge. It’s like riding a bike though!!! I have my bedside skills, just getting my groove back!!!!!

In my opinion don't. It's only gotten worse, it's a business, not patient care anymore.

By being away from the bedside, I think you mean contact patient care.
You are still a nurse and hopefully have kept your license by working as a nurse. In my estimation, it does not matter if you have been in telehealth, front office, back office, working from home in the healthcare industry. You are still dealing with patients, medical records, documentation, interacting with medical staff by phone or in person.

We run into people daily who need help. We care for our family and friends. We try to keep up to date with all the new medical information, and must do CEUs to keep our licenses.

As far as I am concerned, it just takes a couple weeks of orientation to get a nurse back at the bedside, and the orientation is mainly to learn the facility, their mode of operation, and their documentation systems.

Nurses are always needed and should never be tossed aside. There IS a place for older nurses. If our society can't see that, then they lose.

I wasn’t exactly away from bedside, but I did work in a surgery center with pretty healthy patients for the most part. I applied to a couple different hospitals and was hired at both. They still believe in training older nurses. I never stopped nursing, But I was surprised that they welcomed me… And I’m in my 50’s. So happy to be working at a hospital again after 20 years

I’d been away from bedside 11-years when I returned. What I did change was a step-down from where I was previously. As a former ICU nurse I would have loved to have gone back but I went to floor nursing instead. Regardless, every area has its challenges. It took me about 6 months to build my speed up but I’m stronger than ever now. Another issue was paper charting had been replaced by electronic. I spent so much time trying to find the box to click! It was also hard because every one around me was younger than I and the expectations were that I had all of this experience so I should be good to go. I would tell you to have patience with yourself, and know that there are going to be some rough days, but you’ve got the goods. Hang in there and best of luck!

I took an online Nurse Refresher Course when re-entering the workforce after several years off to raise my children. It included lecture, homework, etc. and required an internship at a local hospital. (I can't remember how many hours were required). It definitely helped me feel more confident to re-enter the workforce!

Some facilities are starting to offered modified orientation programs. We have one at my hospital called “Transition to Acute Care.” This gives you a little more time to get used to the inpatient/bedside environment again but not a full on orientation like what a new grad goes through 👍

I work as a Director for an in-patient medicine unit in Louisiana. I would encourage you to go for it. This is the time to apply for a position as many health systems want to fill open full-time positions. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been away from the bedside or practice. Expect that you will receive a full orientation to get back into bedside practice. You’ll be welcome and nobody will hold your 10-years away against you. Best wishes.

I used to teach refresher courses for nurses that have left acute care nursing
Depends on the hospital where you are
Some have a 3 month preceptor program also
Highly recommend
Good luck
p

Yes definitely!!!!All you need is orientation and everything will come back!!! What you don't know you can learn it's not a rocket science!!! Good luck and trust yourself!!!

There are quite a few things you can do:
1. Call your State Board to see if they offer any programs for nurses returning to practice.
2. Call your local nursing programs to see if they offer the same.
3. Call you state nurses' association to see if they offer the same.
4. Start researching CEU sites for programs that might help you.
5. In some areas that are very short on nurses the local facilities may have training programs.

Good Luck. Louanne

I was out of the hospital for 14 years. It’s like riding a bike, if you were good before, you will be again. Hardest part was getting used to the computers! Just jump right in!

First I would spend the time to go thru the LMS/Health Stream modules closely.

Also this covers Policy/Procedure you will want to know.

This is always required during the onboarding process.

I would get with a good preceptor/mentor who enjoys teaching.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions?

Most of the Nursing Skills will start to come back to you.

You got this!

You can check with local hospitals to see if they offer a refresher course. It is kind of like a capstone for a senior nursing student.

Take a refresher course, which a lot of colleges and Universities well offer.

Hello 👋🏼, fellow nurse who has also been away for over 10 years. I would recommend getting in through someone you know, but also consider doing an RN Refresher course listed on your State Board of Nursing website. Make sure all your minimum required certifications and licenses are active (e.g. RN, BLS). I did all of these on top of doing a RN preceptorship for 140 hours and got in through the hospital that I was performing my med Surg rotation. It took a while though because I had 2 other jobs when they initially offered it to me. Good luck and don’t give up because I almost did and that’s when it opened up for me.

Following. Same situation.

Try looking into various RN residencies. There are a lot of hospitals offering them right now. I’ve seen sign-on bonuses as high as $20,000 with loan forgiveness up to $25,000.

There is always a shortage of nurses. You are needed somewhere. You could start by applying to work at a Long Term Care Facility or a Rehabilitation Unit at a Hospital. The training is usually very good, 6-8 weeks, and this would be a great way to refresh your memory and get you the experience that you need.

Start with gaining or re-gaining a medsurg foundation for at least 6months.

Med Surg is a good place to start. Many facilities place tele monitored patients on med surg. Obtaining BLS and ACLS is ideal. Another way of re-entering bedside care is to seek out hospitals that have nurse fellowship programs. You will be trained in a specialty you chose or they have available. Hope this helps!

You can’t. They will say “you don’t have enough recent clinical experience “

I have been away from bedside/hospital for about 13 yrs, doing telephone triage/health coaching, and now hospice triage. I needed to pick up something like PRN/agency tho —- so jumped in and started doing LTC/skilled nursing PRN shifts (because honestly sadly they did not require recent clinical exp….). It all came back to me fast tho, iv skills, learning new equipment, time management— I am now thinking of going back to PICU/NiCU, so will look carefully at the orientation offered!

If you haven't been employed as a Nurse in any capacity and/or you let your license expire, you will have to take an RN refresher course-most states require that after 5 years of no practice. If you have an active license, just keep applying! Hospitals are in DIRE need of staff nurses right now!

Was out of the field for 9 years due to 3 surgeries r/t motor vehicle accident, then caretaking elderly parents… it is not easy to get back in despite the shortage and my 20+ years experience… constantly being told that I need recent in hospital employment. I’m currently working part time for an IV infusion company, still applying to hospital jobs with my fingers crossed!

I know Advent Health Hospitals offers a transitional nursing program. Nurses who worked in other areas of nursing for years that now desire to return to the bedside are able to do so with this program. The program consists of classroom trainings and “married model” preceptorship. You will be with an experienced nurse everyday you work for 9 weeks on the floor learning and becoming reacquainted with the day to day expectations. The married model preceptorship ensures you’re never alone and that nurse is their so you can ask questions and get help if need be. A lot of nurses have really come to value this experience. You also will have an educator on unit who you can go to as well this person keeps up with your progress and offers additional weeks of training if needed. Not sure where you live but ask about this program at your local hospitals. ❤️😘🙏🏾

There are many ways to do this. 1) Take a refresher program/course. 2) look into non-clinical jobs like telephonic health coaching, insurance nursing (utilization management, etc), or care management. 3) go back to school for an advanced degree.

I did #2. It worked very well for me. I had stayed on top of my CEUs and did “nurse stuff” (like working at an international school and helped the school nurse when needed). I did UM for three years, health coaching for 8 years, “retired” for a year then went into Care Management. LOVE CM and have done well with it.

Thats tough to answer without some of your background.
In general I will tell you it's going to be tough. There have been many changes to healthcare not the least of which is the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). So, not only will you have to contend with getting back to bedside care, you will have to learn software.

I would take a few refresher courses (like CEU style) and not sweat it too much. Once hired, You can always ask questions if you come across something you aren’t sure of. I think the industry at this point won’t blink an eye at your lengthy time out, since they need nurses, so getting back on the floor shouldn’t be too hard in that sense either. I was out for 4 years and was nervous too, but I was quickly hired, and I explained to my coworkers I had been out of practice for a while and may ask for help or questions at times and they were all understanding and helpful. It didn’t take much time before it was smooth sailing and like I hadn’t skipped a beat. Good luck!! And Congrats on coming back!

There should be a basic review course for all nurses who are returning to the work force. Would be great to have a mentor for at least 6 months. This person would support and be a resource for the nurse offering feedback when needed.

There some programs at community colleges that offer classes for nurses who have been away from the bedside for extended periods. I did this when I was looking for a hospital job after working in long term care. It was very helpful.

Orientation like a mew nurse.

Consider enrolling in an RN refresher course. My community which is a big city will not hire any RN away from the bedside for 2 years. Refresher courses cover skills and simulation to help ease anxiety and allow for practicing before getting back on a unit. There is much to re-learn.

I was really burned out so took 5 years off. I’m ready to go back now (2024) so I found a RN refresher course (in Chico, CA): 6 mos on-line theory with a skills lab and then a preceptorship in a hospital for 3mos (?).

Did bedside and PACU 10yrs then case management/quality 10yrs then now back to bedside last 4yrs. Was excited that I never lost my IV skill which I totally missed doing but it was very helpful they had a nurse fellowship on the unit I worked. Documentation/med admin was of course different now but got in the swing of things again pretty quickly and felt great to be back. Like riding a bike.

She can register for continuous update courses to know the new trends in health care management.

Most likely will you will be required to work in a unit where the patient population is less critical. Your orientation may be longer than normal and you will have the opportunity to complete annual requirements through the hospitals education department. Other than that, nurses are in such high demand at this time that you would be welcomed with open arms. Good Luck!

Worst case you would have to go through.a new grad program. But hospitals are always looking for nurses. It shouldn't be a problem.

Stay ip to date on training. Take continuous education classes.

Start by working in med/surg or an LTAC

I would recommend applying for a med surge position to refresh your skills and once you become comfortable with your skills set you could apply for other positions if you decide you want to move away from the med surge area of nursing.

That’s going to be rough. Try part time first and adjust accordingly. The good thing about it, your in demand and they pay well.

If you have stayed in the nursing field, and are working for a company who has clinical setting opportunities, I would asked for any opportunities practice your bedside skills after you have reviewed the steps to each skill set.

If you do not work for a company with a company with clinical opportunities, I would study and review all clinical bedside skills, including IV’s, G-tubes, picc lines, ect. and then be honest during your interview process that you will need to brush up on these clinical skills .

Large Medical centers often have a well run Volunteer Department that welcome professionals wanting to cross train or re enter. UCDavis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA is the one I saw do very well.

Take a refreher course at your local community college. It's usually mostly online stuff with in-person clinicals at the end. Your preceptor will then become your main reference when job hunting.

Just interview with various facilities and decide where you want to be. The facility will precept you for a time before expecting you to work on your own.
Years ago (I’m retired) I was offered a position with a surgical team but my IV skills were very rusty. I happened to bump into a nursing instructor and asked if I could edit her IV class to practice and hone my skill. She recommended that I take the position because they’ll have their own way of doing things and I’d be better off to learn their way. I took the position and everything worked out well. One surgeon actually took me aside and showed me his way. After that I was starting and dc’ing IV’s all day everyday ☺️

You can work in home care or private duty. In private duty you are taking care of medically fragile patients. PEDs or adults. I took care of a man that lived alone but required 24/7 care because he was a quad. These jobs are great. The pay isn’t. But I enjoyed taking care of 1 patient at a time. So check out some agencies. Not all agencies do private duty so you will have to check around.

Remember you are entrusted with a person who values your expertise, care for them as they are your family or if you were in that bed. Take your time, rushing leads to mistakes.

You could ask the place you’d like to work if they’d be willing to put you in a training program (like for new grads) to get you up to speed with new machines and electronic charting, etc. Many years ago when I had been out of nursing for a bit I took a Return To Nursing course with a major university. That was extensive and comprehensive. It lasted several months and about 40 units. Good luck!

Everything will come back as each task presents itself. If the nurse is unsure if something you tube is a great reference and of course google. Most nurses are willing to help the new person out as well.

Start back slowly. Take what ever orientation they offer. Believe in yourself !!

A few ways to get back to bedside nursing after ten years; apply for nurse internships programs, CEU'S specific to Med/Surgery, go to YouTube look up Nursing on Med/Surg, Apply to a teaching hospital, last go to the state BON for programs.

10 years. I been away a little over a year and can’t get a bedside job

The best way would be to look for a residency in a hospital for experienced nurses. Sometimes hospitals hold fellowship programs for non acute care nurses to go back into acute care.

Buy you a book on bedside duties of a floor nurse, remember to rely on your senses, the smell of the room and patient, the bedside table, make sure the patient has water, call light button is reachable and always read your Dr orders to be sure everything is done per schedule and order…you will be find, you are a NURSE

As long as your bedside still contains compassion, respect, and dignity for the patient…time is just a number! Good luck and god bless!

Go back to where you’ve been. I’ve been out of bedside for 4 years and I went back to my last company. Put in some applications and had 4 interviews within a week. Right now, there is a very high demand for bedside nurses.

There are classes to take or a refresher. Also the best place to be is in a residency program. Do not hesitate to ask all the questions you need to. You got this.

Most local colleges who have nursing programs offer licensed nurses who have been away from the bedside refreshe courses.

Hire on with a company that believes in proper floor orientation. If you feel as though you're not ready to fly solo, speak up. Don't expect to know everything, though, because MedSurg is ever changing. There's such a variety of everything that you will never know it all. Use your co-workers experience & ask questions when unsure of something. Always remember that the only dumb question is the one that goes unasked. Best of luck!

If you are currently a RN that has been working in a specialty for 10 years you can apply for a position on the unit. Managers are very welcoming to bedside nurses.

If you have been working in another field such as pharmaceuticals, bioscience, marketing etc check with your state BONursing for direction.

Hope this helps

You'll need a refresher course and follow your state's licensure guidelines. Good luck and welcome back!

Yes in any insurance company, utilizations mangement, call center, PPS coordinator etc,

Don’t.

Also, my daughter is in nursing school and there are a lot of changes since we last work bedside. They no longer use CCs and you can't use obese. You have to say weight challenged. Little things like that.

I was away for 9 years after working critical care for years. I did not expect nor have a desire to jump back in critical care as if I’d never left. I just looked at RN jobs in my area and applied online. I did not want to go back to a hospital starting off. I applied in hospice for 2 companies and interviewed for both. I accepted one and love it. I got higher pay than I expected, good training to start. I kept my license current during my 9 years off in case I ever went back. I am now a case manager that sees patients one on one. It is sometimes stressful. It is a busy job. I enjoy making a difference in families going through the loss of a family member, and I am with a good company that treats me well. Good luck to you.

Try private duty. There are different types of private duty. There’s pediatrics, adults, there’s post op. There are different kinds of private duty nursing. Then there’s staffing agencies where you can pick the days you work and where you work. Just look up Staffing agencies and home health agencies

Absolutely. Basic nsg care doesn't change. Computers have taken away a lot of the old fashion nsg. Which is sad. People respond to people not Computers.

I took a 6 year hiatus from nursing and no facility would hire me without taking refresher courses. Looked up the nursing forum on that same subject and although a large number of nurses took the course, they still couldn’t find employment. I did not take the course, but sought out skilled nursing (SNF) and was immediately hired. Worked there for 3 months and found a med-surg job that hired me, based on my recent skills. That was 2020 and now I’m a traveling nurse for the pat 2 years. Hope that helped.

I stepped away for years

It wasn’t fun jumping back in

Here are a few things I learned
Start learning immediately
General nursing
You can take nurse RE-entry
Programs in New York they are cheap
Maybe 1000.
Most re-entry programs are 2500

Check local colleges with well funded RN programs
Most have re-entry courses

Check out MOLLOY
New York
Their website shows you all courses you can take

Home Care will hire and get you working immediately
But it might not be where u want to be

But it’s a start

Your state offers a re-entry program. Contact your state board of nursing. They will guide you. Then just hit the floor again! You'll be surprised how easily it all comes back to you. You go girl.

I believe there is a 6 or 8 week course offered by professional nursing organizations for nurses returning back to the work force. It's hard. I was out of hands-on nursing for 12 years working for an insurance company when I decided that I missed patient care. I chose to return to school and become an adult APRN. To complete the program I had to participate in 500 hours in a supervised clinical setting. It's an adjustment initially but after a few weeks it's like riding a bicycle. Now if you let your license expire, I think you may need to take the NCLEX exam again...

Do refresher course for 3 months and apply in the hospital. There are lots of needs now. The first few months were nerve wrecking( you will have a preceptor that will teach you), then you will work without the mentor after 8-12 weeks), but you will get used to it. Don’t give up!

Just apply for som jobs. See where u get hired. They will help you. Ask for extended training a mentor etc. Good luck

Take a nurse refresher course at your technical college. They require that in Wisconsin if you’ve been away >5 years.

You will adjust yourself to bedside nurse

If the nurse has an active licence and she is interested in bed side nursing she can work.

My quotation, he/she should need refresher and Mandy and many training related to the service should be rendered to the patients

work slowly

have a nurse mentor me in pacu

Yes, they can. It is like riding a bike. There are skills you never forget.

From my experience, I was away from bedside nursing for over 15 years, when I went back into the hospital, I decided to go into employee health. I work with infection prevention and employee health and this way, I am in the hospital setting, but I am not caring for patients.
I am loving being back in the hospital. when I do TAP rounds, I get to go in and speak with patients, but the care is left up to the med surg nurses.

Through referring updated books ,on job training a and taking short course

You may have to take a refresher class/course. Also, most board of nursing states have hours worked in order to renew your license. My state you need to have worked at 1000 hours within a 3 yr period. or you have to take a refresher course. Look up your state requirements to renew your license ( I am assuming in the ten year you need to get an active RN license )

Once you have a active RN license you may try a nurse Internship/residence program that is offered at most hospital for new grads or RN that want to transition to another specialty. This way you will get the need training, so many things have changed within the last 10 years. The best in your endeavor

The nurse needs to first of all have a refresher training in order remind him or her about some of things he or she used to do,and also introduce her to new policies .procedures and scope of work.

Try hospices or one -one first and you will feel the situation and make your own judgment .

This person needs to look for an institution which offers refresher Nursing courses, preferable in-person. Some hospitals offer programs in cases where the have a contractual arrangement with 1 0r 2 Institutions in certain specialty areas which has great didactics specific to those specialties.
There are quite a number of great videos on Youtube, and lastly, purchase a couple of current nursing pocket guides.

Just apply, make sure to go with a company that offers a good orientation, that they don’t just put you on the floor and leave you to the wolves

Start with med/surg unit and make sure she get a orientation . She should also educate her self with ceu s. Ceu can inform her of the last est changes in health care.

Hello, Welcome back! Assuming (bad word, I know) that your license is current, then depending on your state, you may have needed CEUs to maintain your license. That knowledge can be very helpful. Consider what type of nursing you will start to pursue, and take some CEU classes pertaining to that specialty. Also, check out if there are any classes, at any community college or university, that could help your re-entry after your hiatus. IF you are wanting to pursue certain specialties, besides the standard BLS/CPR, you could possibly need ACLS, PALS, MAB, NRP, or any one of a multitude of certifications. Get all you can, that will help you get the job you want. Pay a lot of attention to your CEU courses and certifications, because all of that knowledge will help you as you reenter. Finally, contact 2-3 hospital education departments, and talk to them about what their facility requires, and any resources they know about that could help you. Good luck!

Susie, BSN, RN

I've been wondering the same. In SC, you have to take a refresher course if you've been out for more than 5 years.

Right now would be a great time to apply to community hospitals as they are very short of nursed. They will be happy to hire you for the help needed. Hospitals are severely understaffed especially community hospitals. Submit your resume, go to job fairs, and follow up with human resources or even the manager of the department you are interested in. The best of luck with everything. You are sorely needed!

It will be difficult, but I’m up for the challenge. Pray a lot of praying. If you’re in good health and enjoy doing what you do, it shouldn’t be a problem

You could take a refresher course or find a hospital that has a refresher program/mentorship program.

Start at the bedside on a unit that is not very difficult. Work in a department with someone you know & can use as a resource. Start on night shift since it's a little slower until you're comfortable enough to switch to days if that's what you really want.

The most important recommendation is to take an RN refresher course as the basis in getting back into the profession. After that, depending on your work experience from the past I would then see what position the nurse is looking at, and then take some refreshers from nursing journals

Review the fundamentals/basics and changes in the Nurse Practice Act.I believe a SNF would be a good starting point then. You will get back your rhythm and confidence without too much pressure.

Take remedial lessons and pharmacology classes. And be techno savvy

I am not sure what area of nursing you were in or what area you are interested in, but start slow. Maybe start PRN or part time. Request at least 6 weeks orientation. You could also look into shadowing a nurse in an area you are interested in first.

Make sure you get a certification in the field of your choice and prove you have kept up with continuing education

Find small hospitals that can accommodate your needs. I would also suggest starting from LTACHs. If you put I a good year or two years in these kinds of hospitals you will get out an all round nurse. You see everything in LTACH and at all levels of care. There is nothing that I see in the hospitals that hat I did not experience in LTACH while others will be saying I don’t know this, I have never done this, I on the other hand have done it all. Have confidence, believe in yourself and ask all kinds of questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. And last but not least, know your resources. The pharmacy, your fellows colleagues, if there is John on the unit who is good at starting IVs, make use of him and be friendly. Be the first one to offer other people help.

Good luck.

I will suggest doing a google surge for programs that welcome returning nurses in your state.

Start slow. I would suggest Med/Surg. The basics will come back to you, like riding a bike. The hard part is the physicality of bedside.

My recommendation would be to take some refresher courses before going back to the field. Some schools offer these courses to help nurses return to bedside

Have you been nursing @ all? If you've been out/not working in health care, I advise a refresher course. They are available, and I feel necessary if you've been out of the field for any length of time. Hope you find this helpful.

Some of the colleges/nursing schools offer refresher courses for just this scenario. I highly recommend it.

Take a refresher course for nurses. If you know someone in the same area of nursing you last worked in see if it okay to shadow them for a few shifts, always remember to follow HIPPA Regulations if you are able to shadow.

Activate your nurse's license. Contact your state licensure to inquire what you have to do to reactivate. There are refresher courses at local schools and some online. You will probably need to do CEU's as well.

Right now I’d say it’s a candidate’s market however with an experienced nurse they’re afraid of what “bad habits” you’ve learned and they can’t mold you as easily as a new grad. Luckily tho staffing is shorter and shorter as more nurses are leaving bedside. If you don’t have a direct connection with someone at a hospital, maybe start with applying for a per diem schedule. Go for the unorthodox posts like the overnight shift or a part time schedule just to get yourself back in the door.

Must recert in
a refresher course at a college or an ACCREDITED ONLINE COURSE.

It is a different environment now. Depends what area you want to work and stress adaptability.

In

Can you find a remedial class - such as mollly offers?

I am a nurse who has been away from the bedside for 4 years. If I would want to get back to the bedside, I would start by getting into a skilled care floor of a hospital. These would be post-op surgical patients who need Physical therapy, daily labs, blood sugar monitoring etc. This would be a good place to start to get your bearings back about bedside nursing.

maybe start out with something like home health, assisted living. defiantly not skilled nursing or hospital until she/ he is up to speed.