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.
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.
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:
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:
While no two RN refresher courses will offer the exact same structure and curriculum, you can generally expect the following out of these courses:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
Questions? Get in touch with our team, or take the next step by applying for admission.