<p>I have been out of nursing for many years, engaging in writing and other entrepreneurial positions, and I allowed my nursing license to expire. I have a bachelors in nursing and a masters in community health.</p>
<p>I have a renewed desire to work directly with people again and I am wondering if there are any positions in the nursing field where my nursing background would be beneficial, but where the actual updated license is not a requirement? I know that there is a desperate need for nurses but I am not sure of the requirements.</p>
<p>Why don’t you talk to your state’s licensing board and find out what needs to be done to reinstate your license? I don’t think that most areas have a desperate need for nurses who aren’t licensed unless you want to work as an aide or a medical assistant.</p>
<p>I don’t believe many entities would hire a person in any nursing capacity whatsoever, even if s(he) were not giving direct patient care, without an active license. I could be wrong, of course. I know a woman who is involved in education and research, and her employer recently required her to reactivate her license.</p>
<p>In Texas, if you have not worked in nursing for four years or longer, even if you have kept your license current but inactive, you are required to take a nurse refresher course and put in 80 hours of clinical practice under the auspices of a current RN in order to reactivate your license. If your license has completely lapsed, you are required to get an additional 20 hours of continuing education, including getting re-certified for CPR for health care practitioners. I’m sure all states differ, so the first contact I’d make would be to contact your state board of nursing.</p>
<p>I think the others are right; if you want to be involved in direct care, you will need to do whatever is necessary in your state to get your license reinstated.</p>
<p>Questbest, I can tell you are eager with your two threads (one yesterday and one today) re: getting back into the workforce!</p>
<p>I commented on the other thread, but here is another idea that more relates to your nursing background.</p>
<p>Do you live near any children’s hospitals or hospitals with pediatric in-patient care? Many of these will have a Child Life Department (child life specialists). </p>
<p>While it may be harder to find an open paid position (unless you have a very large children’s hospital near you) you might also be able to volunteer just to get started. A nursing background would be very helpful, though you would likely not give nursing “advice”.</p>
<p>I had a position in Child Life years ago and I loved it.</p>
<p>Check with your state about a refresher course, QB. How many years has it been since your license lapsed? If you are able to take a refresher course and renew, you could always pick up some PRN shifts at the hospital. That way, you would still have plenty of flexibility with your schedule and you and your husband could travel, etc.</p>
<p>I am sure it would not be too hard to reinstate you r liscence. I am a nurse and I have seen it become a field where you can do other things in hospitals , and the community besides staffing. My D is think of becoming a nurse, and I see so many possibliities for her.</p>
<p>Are you interested in things besides direct patient care? A nursing background could be helpful in the research field, and many of the monitors that we have met in research study work were nurses. Healthcare recruiting is another area where a nursing background would be a plus. Some of the drug companies employ nurses in the areas that respond to consumers (as do other consumer product companies). Drug sales reps also would be helped by a nursing background (although I personally would not want such a position.)</p>
<p>Without a license, some medical practices might hire you for medical assistant type work. The desperate need for nurses is mostly for licensed nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, SNF, rehab facilities etc. Without the active license, direct care opportunities will be limited.</p>
<p>Many Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) have nursing background. While this type of work does not involve direct interaction with patients, writing skills are definitely a huge plus. It might be hard to get your foot in the CRA door at first, but once you have at least a year of CRA work experience, many opportunities in biotech, pharma or medical device companies will open for you.</p>
<p>There is also a need for “navigators” and patient advocates who help patients through the maze of the healthcare systems, so they can get all the care they need (or work as a case manager for an insurer). This is especially for folks who have serious chronic health issues–cancer and other conditions. You would probably get better pay if you re-activate your nursing license, whatever is required in your state. You may wish to contact your local U to find out if they have refresher and nursing licensing refresher courses to sharpen rusty skills. </p>
<p>Questbest - Do you happen to live in NY? If so, your license never “expires” but to return to work, you’ll need to pay a fee and do a child abuse course - and that’s about it!</p>
<p>It would be wise to contact your state nursing board to determine exactly what they require for reinstatement. Are you still living in your original state of licensure?</p>
<p>In most states a license is not required to work in a doctors office or medical clinic as long as you dont identify yourself as a nurse.</p>