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When the Hiatus Ends

Returning to work after a long break 

Healthcare Professional Digest speaks with Carol West, director of human resources and corporate training for Interim HealthCare, Greenville, S.C. 

Remember your first day of school -- ever? You were probably excited but nervous. Eager to learn but afraid you might not "get" everything you were taught. Happy to meet so many new people but unsure of how you'd fit in. 

Almost every nurse thinking about a return to the medical field after being away for two years, five years or more experiences some of the same emotions. Yet, despite their trepidation, most opt to come back to the jobs they love. 

How difficult is it to resume a career where change is often the norm? What's the best way to go about re-entry? And, in the end, is it worth the effort? To find the answers to these questions and more, Healthcare Professional Digest recently spoke with Carol West, Interim's director of human resources and corporate training. Here's what she had to say.

Healthcare Professionals Digest: What are some of the reasons why nurses take a hiatus from their profession?

Carol West: The most common is staying home to raise children. Other nurses take time off from their careers to care for family members with serious illnesses.

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West: Licensing is often an issue. Changes in technology, in both computer and medical equipment, are others.

HPD: Why is licensing a problem? 

West: A nurse who's been out of practice for more than five years must take a brush-up or refresher course to get back his or her license. After completing this course, his or her particular state's nursing board issues a temporary license, so the nurse can do a clinical rotation under an RN's supervision. Then, the license is re-instated, although some states may require sitting for the boards again before re-instatement.

But in many cases, nurses can avoid going through these steps. If they're out for less than five years but attend clinical in-services for at least 30 hours during the preceding two-year period, they can easily renew their licenses. Many people are busy and don't realize how easy it is to keep their licenses -- or what they'll need to do if they lapse. Of course, requirements to keep licenses current or to have them re-instated vary from state to state, so anyone considering a return to nursing should call his or her state licensing board before proceeding. Most states' requirements also are available online.

HPD: What about the other concern, technology changes?

West: It's true that things in health care tend to change quickly, especially technology. For example, many nurses now use laptops for documentation, so those coming back to the profession may need to make themselves more computer literate.

They'll also have to get up to speed on medical equipment, clinical protocols and procedures that have changed while they've been away. Their confidence levels may be a concern too. For instance, even if they're highly competent, these returning nurses may be hesitant to make decisions on their own without a nursing preceptor's guidance. Something as simple as calling a physician about a patient can cause a bout of nerves as well, just because they haven't done that sort of thing for a while.

HPD: Is it better to return to work on a full-time or part-time basis?

West: That depends on the individual's personal situation. But, if possible, a part-time benefited position might be best, once the license has been re-instated. This kind of position provides benefits but has a partial workload. A PRN position may even be preferable, as it makes for a less dramatic return to the workforce than going full time immediately.

There are other ways to ease back into the profession though. For example, one of our nurses came back to work after being away for 20 years. She worked at Interim as an aide in our HomeStyles private-duty division while she completed her refresher course. Then, she went through her clinical rotation with our Home Health division and later took an RN position with Hospice in our company.

HPD: Are there advantages to coming back to work at a company like Interim as opposed to a facility?

West: Coming back to work is easier with a company like Interim, since nurses who've been out for a while need a little more help. At Interim, each returning nurse works with an RN preceptor for three to six months after orientation.

One nurse told me that she felt like Interim was there with her at every step of her re-entry into the medical field. For example, her preceptor always knew where she was in professional skills and kept raising the bar, making her a better nurse.

Flexibility also is a big plus, in terms of hours and opportunities. We offer many different types of jobs for nurses. I know one nurse who, after he completed his refresher course, came back to work as a temp in our Facilities Staffing division. For other nurses, working in home care allows them to schedule their own time, so they can get in a full day's work and still pick up their kids after school. 

HPD: What would you say to someone who's considering a return to nursing? 

West: Talk to nurses currently in practice. Then, speak to representatives at organizations like Interim. Ask about the programs they offer and their support structures. Find out how they assist nurses who are coming back to work. And talk to your local colleges about their brush-up classes.  

Anyone who's been away from the profession for a while will be pleasantly surprised at how nursing has changed. Nurses receive more respect and higher pay than ever before. There's never been a better time in history to be a nurse! 

Carol West has been Interim's director of Human Resources and Corporate Training for the past 14 years. Prior to coming to Interim, West was with IBM Corporation. She earned her bachelor's degree in business at the University of South Carolina and her master's degree in human resources development at Clemson University.