Back to Nursing
Are you a former nurse considering returning to the workforce? If so, you're not alone. Many experienced nurses who took a break from nursing because of retirement, parenthood, caregiving and other reasons now are returning to the profession.
"I decided to leave the bedside and retire after 29 years of full-time nursing, but within my first year of retirement I had difficulty separating myself from the gifts and experience that I had been given as a nurse," said Susan Howes, RN and gynecology/obstetric nurse. "I used my nursing skills through volunteer efforts, but I dreamt of being back at work. I just recently made that dream a reality."
Howes recently returned from retirement to a part-time hospital nursing position, and many others are following suit. Recognizing the increased interest of inactive nurses wanting to return to practice, many hospitals and educational institutions have designed re-entry programs and refresher courses to help support the transition back into the workforce.
"We formed the Registered Nurse Re-Entry Program four years ago because we saw an increase in the number of former nurses wanting to return to practice," said Pam Rice, RN, MSN, associate professor and director of the PN/ADN program at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. "Since the program's inception, interest and enrollment have continually increased, and nurses coming out of the program express a renewed confidence in returning to patient care."
Refresher courses and re-entry programs provide both comprehensive theory and clinical experience to re-entry nurses to update them on changes in the healthcare environment during their absence. The trend of inactive and retired nurses returning to the workforce may help ease nurse staffing shortages.
Conditions and requirements for re-entering the nursing workforce differ for each state and vary according to the number of years a nurse has been considered inactive. In most states, nurses must undergo a refresher or re-entry program to re-qualify for licensure. If you are a former nurse considering returning to the workforce, first contact the licensing body in your state to confirm the specific requirements for re-entry. Information is available at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
To locate refresher courses and re-entry programs in your region, visit www.campaignfornursing.com.
For information on the Registered Nurse Re-Entry Program at Weber State University, visit www.weber.edu/.
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Working with Older Americans
The number of Americans age 65 and older is expected to continue to grow as more Americans live longer and healthier lives. However, about 80 percent of older Americans have at least one chronic health condition, and 50 percent have at least two. As the need for geriatric healthcare increases, so does the demand for geriatric nurses.
"Specialized knowledge about geriatrics, specifically understanding how medications affect older people differently, is important, because if you work in a hospital you will be working with the elderly, unless you are in Pediatrics," said Marie Boltz, PhD, RN, GNP-BC, assistant professor and practice director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing. "Our main focus is on keeping our older patients functional, mobile and independent while they are in our care."
Geriatric nursing is a fast-growing career, with patients age 65 and older making up half of all hospital admissions. However, only one percent of nurses are certified in geriatrics and, according to Boltz, only 30 percent of nursing schools across the country provide specialized geriatrics training.
Geriatric nurses often help design healthcare regimens for their older patients that include a combination of medication, diet, exercise and/or the use of special equipment. Many times they also walk family members or caregivers through the steps and provide them with local resources to help them care for their loved one.
"Caring for older adults isn't just about caring for the patient, but working with the family and other caretakers in an interdisciplinary approach," said Boltz.
To learn more about geriatrics nursing, visit www.discovernursing.com.
To learn more about the Hartford Institute of Geriatric Nursing, visit www.hartfordign.org. 
 SUSAN HOWES, RN and Gynecology/Obstetric nurse who recently returned to work from retirement
WakeMed Hospital
Raleigh, N.C.
Q: When did you decide to pursue nursing as a career and why?
A: In second grade I wrote a paper for a class assignment that said something like, "I want to be a nurse when I grow up and rock babies." I guess I knew at the tender age of eight that this is what I wanted to be - I wanted to be a nurse.
Q: Did you specialize in a particular area of nursing?
A: After graduation from nursing school, I started work in the Intermediate Care Nursery and soon moved to the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) outpatient clinic where I worked for 15 years. The last half of my career was also split between the Intermediate Care Nursery and the OB-GYN clinic, where I specialized in gynecology oncology as a nurse educator before I decided to retire.
Q: Why did you decide to retire from nursing, and how did you spend your time away?
A: After 29 years of full-time nursing, I was happy and decided to retire and adjust to life in a new marriage. This was the perfect time to find alternative ways to use my nurse skills and experience. I began volunteering at a shelter/treatment center for homeless women with addictions. The experience was extremely rewarding, and I was able to brush up on many of my nursing skills.
Q: Why did you decide to return to nursing and patient care from retirement? What was the process for returning?
A: After being out of the hospital work environment for more than four years, I missed providing quality patient care. I also began considering today's economic uncertainty and decided to pursue a wage-paying job once again. I enrolled in several continuing education courses and was hired by an interim healthcare agency where I was able to practice in outpatient clinics.
The opportunity soon came to work part-time in an OB-GYN Clinic at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, and I jumped at the chance to re-enter the workforce. I wasn't required to take any formal nurse re-entry courses but did participate in numerous educational programs offered through the hospital. I've been able to update myself on changes in the field that occurred in my time away and have been able to use my experience in a very positive way. It just feels natural
to be back! As nurses we are so fortunate to have a degree in a field with many job opportunities.
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2009 Extraordinary Healer Award
On May 1, CURE magazine awarded the 2009 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing to Christine Wilson, RN at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, in recognition of her extraordinary service to cancer patients and survivors. Wilson was one of many oncology nurses nominated for the award. Nominations were submitted by patients, survivors and caregivers who wrote essays describing the nominee's compassion, expertise and helpfulness when providing care.
Wilson was nominated by her former patient, Delany Diggs, who described her as being "inspirational with boundless energy and enthusiasm." In receiving the award Wilson said, "I am truly honored to receive the Extraordinary Healer Award, and it is very gratifying to see the oncology nursing profession recognized. Oncology nurses strive to make a difference in the lives of their patients, and what I do is just a representation of the important work that all oncology nurses do across the country every day."
For more information about the Extraordinary Healer Award, sponsored by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., visit www.curetoday.com. |
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2009 CNN Heroes
Do you know an extraordinary nurse who has made a difference and should be honored for years of care and service to his or her patients, the community or the country?
Nominate a selfless and dedicated nursing hero for the 2009 CNN Heroes award and highlight his or her commitment to the nursing profession. Eligible nominees include everyday people accomplishing extraordinary things in their community and beyond.
To nominate a hero for the 2009 CNN Heroes award, go to www.cnn.com. |
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Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship
For the third consecutive year, the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are offering scholarship funds to minority nursing students who plan to work as nursing faculty following graduation.
The application deadline for the 2009/2010 Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship is Friday, June 5, 2009.
For more details or to apply, visit, www.aacn.nche.edu. |
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