Did you leave the paid workforce to raise children?
Did you retire but find you miss the camaraderie of working?
Has your life situation changed and you need to go back to work?
Whatever your reason, reentering the nursing workforce will be a challenge. In most states and provinces, nurses must undergo a college-based refresher program or a hospital sponsored reentry program in order to re-qualify for licensure. How long one may be out of nursing before one needs to re-qualify varies from state to state and province to province. For example, here are some requirements for re-entry (also known as re-registration, requalification, reinstatement) from early 2008:
| State/Province | Formal Refresher Needed If ... | | Minnesota | out of nursing for 10 years or more |
| Nevada | out of nursing for five years or more |
| Louisiana | out of nursing for four years or more |
| Ontario | out of nursing for five years or more |
| Alberta | if have less than 1,125 hours of practice in past five years |
| British Columbia | "Nurses who have been away from the practice of registered nursing for greater than 10 years are required to make a written submission to the Registration Committee regarding their eligibility for re-entry to registered nursing practice. If approved, the Registration Committee will determine if additional eligibility requirements need to be met." |
You can find contact details for individual states' and provinces' boards at the end of our articles Licensing: Nursing - USA and Licensing: Nursing - Canada . Always check your own licensing body, as rules can change.
Luckily, the market for nurses remains excellent and there are a number of options for the nurse wanting to reenter the workforce. Many hospitals have designed programs to make reentry as painless as possible. For example, the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) has developed a Re-Entry Nurse Program in partnership with Red Rocks Community College for any nurse who has been out of a practice environment for more than five years. The UCH will pay for a 10-week refresher course plus books at Red Rocks and provide clinical experiences at the hospital. In exchange, the nurse must commit to working for at least one year at the hospital.
1. Choosing Your Specialty
While you were out of the workforce, you've had new experiences and acquired new skills that changed you. If you have had children, you either may feel more comfortable in pediatrics or you may not want to have anything to do with pediatrics. If you have been volunteering with your church's seniors' residence you may have developed an interest in geriatrics. Or you may be more interested in looking at opportunities that focus primarily on wellness rather than illness, such as a position in occupational health.
2. Preparing Yourself Mentally
Many people will feel insecure or uncertain returning to the workforce after a few years off. Remember, you haven't been under a rock for that period: you have gained transferable skills. Maybe you volunteered at your children's school and so have increased your exposure to children, which will help you in relating to pediatric patients. Or maybe you worked in customer service in a fast-paced environment and would do well in a busy family practice clinic.
Refer to these skills to market yourself in your résumé. And if you are unsure about how to express concisely in writing how a particular experience pertains to nursing, don't go into detail. It may be something that you can express better when discussing it in an interview. If you still avidly read professional journals, mention this.
Even if you reside in a jurisdiction that does not require a refresher, to expand your chances of employment, and for your own confidence and peace of mind, do one. Technology, in particular, changes rapidly. A refresher course will update you in technology, as well as assessment and pharmacology areas, and make you feel more comfortable and more confident.
Talk to people who work in the jobs you might consider. Things have changed – for the better and for the worse – and you'll want an accurate assessment of the work situation prior to making any commitment.
3. Lifestyle Choices
As a result of shortages, there are also many more choices in terms of type of work environment. Look for an employer that can accommodate your lifestyle. If you want to work part-time, you'll find most employers don't hold this against you (unlike the good old days). Also, do you need a flexible schedule so you can take an elderly parent to medical appointments? Do you need to take the summers off to spend with children? Would you prefer to work weekends? Unlike before, employers are now doing their best to accommodate your needs. Ask potential employers about their scheduling flexibility. While some may have less room to move, you won't know unless you ask!
4. Assessing the Fit
When you think you're ready to start looking, call a few of your local hospitals and find out what they have to offer. Take the time to check out each employer to see if it is a good fit. (See Assessing an Employer .)
Remember, at this stage, you will want to stay in your position for at least a year or two in order to reestablish your credentials as a nurse and as a responsible employee.
Re-entry can be both an intimidating and exhilarating experience. Do your research, be clear about what your needs are, and make sure your goals are realistic. And good luck.