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Original poster

Return to nursing - anyone done it?

13 replies

jalopy · 06/07/2006 17:45

Curious to know how the course is planned. Is it regular hours, mon to fri or shift work? How much time is spent in college covering academic work and how much clinical experience are you supposed to do during the 12 week course? Thanks

OP posts:
sugarfree · 06/07/2006 17:58

I did it in 2000 after a 7 year break.AFAICR it was one day a week in 'school' and I think I did two or three shifts per week.
The hours are flexible but you get more out of it if you are there for handovers.
I did earlies,couple of lates,one night and definately did a weekend or two.
I changed speciality from medicine to surgery at the same time.I had a mentor and a 'buddy' and I tried to co-ordinate shifts with one or the other of them.
It's cool,somethings have changed,drug rounds gave me the willies a bit for a while,but actual nursing is the same as ever.
I got a part time job where I did my return placement and I'm still there now after another(much shorter) bout of maternity leave.
Be warned though,a lot of trusts have a recruitment freeze at the moment.
How long have you been out?What type of nursing?Will you go back to the same?

Original poster
jalopy · 06/07/2006 18:20

Many thanks, sugarfree. Been out for over 6 years. ITU nursing. Want to return but to a speciality with more family-friendly hours. If that exists

OP posts:
sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:04

I named my hours,take it or leave it type thing,and got lucky.After ds3 I reduced even further and manager misheard me and ok'd it in front of witnesses before she realised.

sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:05

Ps.If you still fancy ITU give the manager a call and see what they say.

brimfull · 06/07/2006 19:10

oooh I'm thinking about this when ds goes back to school in sept 2007.I've been out of nursing sine 1991....will they still take me and my florence nightingale uniform??

sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:14

When I did mine one of the women hadn't nursed since glass IV bottles.(to be fair,she did struggle a bit,but I think that was more due to being unwilling to accept that her way was not always the best way IYKWIM)

sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:15

Ggirl,I get to wear trousers!!
(but I do miss the hats)

Original poster
jalopy · 06/07/2006 19:16

Sugarfree, did you have to do loads of assignments and exams in the course?

ggirl, I'm sure the will be a place for your oil lamp.

OP posts:
Original poster
jalopy · 06/07/2006 19:20

Feel sick at the thought of commiting myself to the course and juggling life (so different when you are single and carefree) but desperately want to re-register. Peace of mind, independence, etc. driving me on.

OP posts:
sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:23

Ummmm.Do you know I can't remember!Which suggest that,no we didn't.
(Didn't write essays in my day,least not like the do now,how you learn to wash your hands,empty a catheter bag, comfort a bereaved relative,or clean sick off your shoes with your head in a book I do not know,rant,whitter,mumble!)
I think we did have to show evidence of 'reflective practice' but it really wasn't that big a deal.
(your course may differ,so you might want to check that)

sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:37

I was utterly terrified,really.The only thing that got me through it was one step at a time.
Literally get the forms,send them back,interview,meet the others,meet my mentor and arrange shifts,start shift etc.The whole time I told myself that if I really hated it I could stop the world wouldn't cave in.
You will remember loads more than you think you do honestly.
My second shift back I cared for a woman 24 hours post AAA.My buddy had the rest of the team and I just had the woman to think about and We (the patient and me) were fine.
My frind did the course after me and went from Derm to Renal!LOL! She was completely terrified but she got the basics on the course,got a job and then they started her on a proper renal induction,she was setting up HD in no time.
Tell you what is weird though,I went back to the same hospital and a lot of the students that were behind me had carried on up the ladder,one was an 'H' and was a 'G' on my floor.(neither of them has kids funny enough)These days I couldn't care less about the ladder,quite happy where I am,go in,do the job,come home.Thank you very much.

Original poster
jalopy · 06/07/2006 19:45

Great to read your post. I was never on the career ladder either. Very proud of my 'little' achievements outside nursing! Feel very vunerable that my nursing registration has lapsed. Having nothing to fall back on. Need to return at some point to boost my confidence, etc. Don't want to compromise family life though. Difficult one.

OP posts:
sugarfree · 06/07/2006 19:55

I always said(and say) kids come first.End of.My manager knows it too.
There's always bank/agency nursing?
Get your foot in the door first by getting the course done and your registration back.Then see whats on offer.

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