Studying a Return to Nursing

Question: I have been out of the work force for a number of years, but was trained as a nurse. I have an A.S. degree in nursing from a community college and my R.N. status is inactive. I understand that there is currently a shortage of nurses and I am thinking about returning to work. If I go back to nursing, I want to maximize my hourly pay. What do you advise? What are my options? –Ruth

Response: Yes, you are right, while openings for nurses are generally cyclical, there is currently a shortage of nurses. Employment prospects are currently good for both the experienced and the newly graduated as well as re-entry nurses.

Currently, the average age of nurses is 47.

Before you reenter the nursing profession you will need to complete a nurse refresher program:

Refresher Programs:

Mt. St. Mary's College

(310) 954-4230

School of Nursing

Contact: Eileen McArow, Course Coordinator

www.msmc.la.edu

This school, in West Los Angeles, offers a highly regarded "Return to Nursing" refresher course. It takes nine consecutive days to complete, attending each day from 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Part I is a Theory component–(48 in class contact hours of didactic theory) Cost: $300

Part II is a Clinical component–(42 clinical hours which equals 14 contact hours), six days (two weekends) of in-hospital experience. Cost: $295

It is not uncommon for nurses who have been out of the work force for 20 years to take the course. 85% of the graduates of this program, who decide to re-enter nursing, find employment.

After completing the refresher program you will be eligible to reactivate your license through the State Board of Registered Nursing.

State Board of Registered Nursing

Sacramento: (916) 322-3350

Los Angeles: (626) 575-7080

www.rn.ca.gov

Registered nurses must be licensed by the State Board of Registered Nursing. Those whose licenses have been lapsed over eight years must retake the National Council's Learning Extension (NCLEX) exam. Refresher courses are available at several areas in California.

There is a licensing fee that must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires proof of 30 units of continuing education.

Application for Licensing Exam: $75

Fingerprint Fee: $32.00

Interim Permit: $30 – valid until test results are obtained, allows nurse to practice under supervision

Renewal Fee: $80.00 every two years.

Late Renewal Fee $117.00

Once you have reactivated your license you should be able to find a job to gain clinical experience.

Job Availability:
Employment prospects are excellent for clinical nurses with more than two years recent acute care experience, especially for those working night shifts, and for those in specialties such as intensive care, coronary care, or emergency room nursing.

The rapid growth of the home health field is also expected to increase demand for RN's. However, there is competition for the higher paying jobs in the more desirable geographic areas and on the more desirable shifts.

If you are interested in per diem work, on November 8, 2001, there were seven Registered Nurse (RN) per diem positions at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in different departments and two full-time positions available. Both day and night shifts were available at hourly pay rates of $24.87 and $29.85.

Kaiser Permanente Hospital

Regional Nurse Recruitment

393 E. Walnut St.

Pasadena, CA, 91188

(626) 564-3500

(323) 783-7728–LA Nurse Recruiter–Steve Bettini

(626) 564 3546–Information for Northern and Southern California.

In November 2001, Kaiser Permanente in West Los Angeles and Los Angeles had approximately 163 RN position openings listed on their employment website. Out of 163 positions, 17 were per diem, 90 were full-time, 48 were part-time and seven were on-call for different departments.

At Kaiser Permanente pay for full-time RNs ranges from approximately $24-$27 per hour plus benefits, depending on experience. Pay for per diem RNs ranges from approximately $25-$27 per hour, without benefits, depending on experience.

Tenet Health System