How an RN Refresher Course Helps Nurses Return to Practice

Considering a return to nursing practice? Whether you've been out of the field for several months or several years, a registered nurse (RN) refresher course could provide you with the clinical skill development, updated industry knowledge and licensure requirements you need to get back in the game.

Why Nurses Leave the Workforce — and Why They Return

There are many reasons as to why nurses may leave the workforce. Some may decide to take a step away when they start a family, for instance. Others may leave nursing to protect their mental health after experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue or other occupational challenges.

Regardless of your reason for exiting the practice, however, there's a growing demand for skilled nurses across the country and even globally. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), "The U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and the need for health care grows."

Likewise, a 2023 report by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has gone as far as to call for the worldwide shortage of nurses to be treated as a global health emergency.

Given this increase in demand, now could be an optimal time for ex-nurses to consider a return to the field to make a real difference in the lives of patients. Even if you've been removed from nursing for years, making your comeback could be accessible thanks to the availability of RN refresher courses online.

How an RN Refresher Course Helps Nurses Return to Practice

Could a refresher course for registered nurses be right for you as you contemplate your return to nursing? Specifically, these courses are known to help ex-nurses in situations like yours by:

• Rebuilding clinical knowledge and updating skills to reflect current nursing standards and best practices.
• Providing valuable hands-on clinical experience — which can boost confidence after time away from nursing.
• Updating nurses on the latest technology (including telehealth technology) and documentation used in the field.
• Preparing nurses for the process of having their licenses formally reactivated in the state where they plan to practice.
• Restoring overall confidence and clinical readiness in a dynamic field.

Who Should Consider an RN Refresher Course?

Is an RN refresher course ideal for you? There are various situations where completing a registered nurse refresher course could make sense, especially as you prepare for a return to practice.

In general, you may want to consider a refresher course for registered nurses if you:

• Have an inactive or expired license that you are looking to renew or reinstate.
• Have been away from nursing for several years and need to get up to date on the latest standards and best practices.
• Are still a practicing nurse but have been working in a non-clinical role and need to prepare for a transition back to clinical practice.
• Are an internationally trained nurse who needs to prepare for readiness standards in the United States.

What You Learn in an RN Refresher Course

While no two RN refresher courses will offer the exact same structure and curriculum, you can generally expect the following out of these courses:

Core Nursing Skills Review

If your nursing skills are feeling rusty, an RN refresher course should entail a review of core nursing skills to help you rebuild your competency and confidence. This may include refreshers on the latest best practices in areas of the field such as:

• Nursing/healthcare technology (including electronic health records)
• Pharmacology and medication administration
• Hands-on skills (e.g., wound care and physical assessments)
• Ethics, law and modern nursing scope of practice

Updated Clinical Guidelines

Clinical guidelines have likely changed since the last time you clocked in as an RN. A refresher course will cover the latest clinical guidelines and evidence-based recommendations to help you provide the best standard of patient care upon your return. This may include updated guidelines for areas like infection control, patient pain management and wound care.

Communication and Patient Interaction

An essential piece of returning to nursing is knowing how to interact and communicate with patients effectively. An RN refresher course can offer guidance on how to optimize interactions with patients by relying on:

• Open-ended questions
• Active listening skills
• Recognition of non-verbal cues

Clinical Requirements and Structure

Ultimately, the structure and clinical components of an RN refresher course will also differ depending on the state in which you are seeking nursing license reactivation. For example, some states may require supervised clinical hours as part of the reactivation process. If this is the case, you may wish to seek a program that offers clinical placement (ideally in a Magnet hospital) as part of the refresher course.

RN License Reactivation: What You Need to Know

If you plan to return to practice as an RN, you'll need to have your license reactivated. Because the specific process of nursing license reactivation can vary from one state to the next, familiarize yourself with the requirements for the state in which you plan to work.

In general, however, getting your license reactivated will require you to submit a formal application to your state Board of Nursing. As part of your application, you may also need to provide proof that you have completed an accepted refresher course, along with any required continuing education (CE) hours.

In addition to completing a refresher course, in some states, nurses whose licenses have lapsed for an extended period of time may need to complete supervised clinical hours and/or pass a competency exam before their licenses can be reinstated.

Benefits of an RN Refresher Course Beyond Skill Building

Completing an RN refresher course as preparation for your return to nursing could benefit you in a number of ways, regardless of how long you've been out of the field. Some of the most notable advantages of finishing a nursing refresher course may include:

• Quicker reentry into the nursing workforce.
• Enhanced employability, especially compared to nurses who may not have completed a dedicated refresher course.
• A competitive advantage in the hiring process, particularly when it comes to being current on the latest standards and best practices.
• Access to new career opportunities within the healthcare/nursing field.

Common Concerns About Returning to Nursing (and How Refresher Courses Help)

Feeling uncertain about your readiness as you return to nursing? It's perfectly normal to have concerns, but the good news is that getting back into nursing practice is more accessible than you might think — especially with help from a refresher course.

One of the most common concerns ex-nurses have about returning to practice is that they've been away from the field for too long. No matter if you had left to care for your family or pursue another career altogether, you might lack confidence in your ability to catch up on the many advancements and professional standards that have come into play since you left. In some cases, ex-nurses may simply feel like it's been so long since they've used their nursing skills that they may have lost them altogether.

Fortunately, RN refresher courses are specifically designed to address these kinds of challenges. From educating returning nurses on the latest best practices to helping them gain knowledge and experience in new technologies, these courses empower students to rebuild and sharpen their skill sets so they can reenter the field with confidence.

How to Choose the Right RN Refresher Course

As you explore your options for completing an RN refresher course, it's important to understand that not all courses are equal. You'll want to look for a few factors before you decide on the course that's right for you:

Accreditation and State Approval

Because different states have different requirements for RN license reactivation, first check with your state's Board of Nursing to determine whether your refresher course needs to be accredited by a specific entity or be otherwise "approved" in your state.

At Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), for example, our refresher courses are specifically designed to meet reactivation requirements in the state of Nebraska.

Clinical Placement Opportunities

Some refresher courses may include clinical placement or supervised clinical hours, too, which may or may not be required in your state. Even if not required, the right clinical placement could present the opportunity to practice new skills and sharpen existing ones, in turn boosting your confidence as you prepare to return to practice.

Program Length and Flexibility

Additionally, consider the length and format of any refresher course you consider — as this will influence how long it takes you to return to the field. If you're seeking maximum flexibility, particularly as you navigate working another job or handling other responsibilities, you might explore your options for RN refresher courses online rather than in person.

Support Services and Career Guidance

Ideally, your refresher course will also include dedicated support, resources and guidance as you navigate your return to nursing. For instance, at NMC, students have the ability to speak to a nurse/CNA recruiter and access helpful resources (like the online Shadow Health platform) to prepare for what lies ahead.

What to Expect After Completing an RN Refresher Course

Even once you've found and completed the right refresher course, you'll need to take a few additional steps before you can get back into the real "work" of nursing. This entails:

• Applying to have your license reactivated through your state Board of Nursing (which may require proof of refresher course completion, a competence exam and/or supervised clinical hours).
• Searching and applying for relevant nursing jobs based on your experience and credentials. (Updating your resume and leveraging your professional network can be particularly helpful here.)
• Preparing for the transition back into clinical roles, especially if you've spent time away in administrative or other non-clinical positions.
• Making plans for ongoing professional development and continuing education, as this will be required to keep your RN license active and advance or specialize in the field.

Final Takeaway: Returning to Nursing Starts With the Right Preparation

As daunting as a return to nursing might seem right now, there can be a clear path forward — and for many, this journey begins with enrollment in the right refresher course. From there, you can gain the preparation and self-assurance you need to reenter the field and once again enjoy the fulfillment of making a difference in patients' lives.

Enhance Your Nursing Skill Set With Nebraska Methodist College

Nebraska Methodist College specializes in healthcare with programs in nursing, allied health and healthcare management. Explore our certificate, undergraduate and graduate nursing programs today — or check out any of our following refresher courses:

• Registered Nurse (RN) Refresher
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Refresher
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) Certificate
• Medication Aide (MA) Refresher

Questions? Get in touch with our team, or take the next step by applying for admission.