I am getting divorced and need info on what my earning potential could be. I only worked as an RN for 6 months in a nursing home and have not done anything since involving nursing. What would it require to become one again? The lawyers need a time frame and what I would have to do.
-Deborah
Megs says
February 11, 2014 at 12:06 pmSorry to hear about your divorce…they can be very stressful. It depends on if you have let your nursing license go inactive. Is your nursing license still active? If you don’t know you can go to the state board of nursing website for the state you live in and do a healthcare licenses look-up which will say if your active or not.
If your license is still active all you would have to do is apply for a job as a RN. Your employer will provide you with the necessary education to get you caught which you will need to take advantage of because nursing has changed since 1998.
If your license is inactive you will have to apply to your state board of nursing again. Each state has different requirements to activate your license. For instance, the state of California requires you having completed at least 30 hours of nursing education which you can do online (cost some money though) and have been fingerprinted etc.
Because you only worked 6 months as an RN you will probably start out making what a new nurse graduate. Again this depends on the state you live in on how much money you will make. I say you will make anywhere from $20.00 to $25.00 an hour starting out.
Natalie says
February 11, 2014 at 12:08 pmGirl no wonder you quit nursing after 6 months, I would have after working in a nursing home. It is very hard work and you are very unstaffed. It causes burn out fast. Like Megs says it dependent on if your nursing license is active or inactive. You shouldn’t have to take the NCLEX-RN exam again so that is good.
Here is salary information for nurses by states: https://www.registerednursern.com/registered-nurse-rn-salary-pay-wages-and-income-of-registered-nurses/
Jessie says
February 11, 2014 at 12:14 pmNothing too major will be required. You will just have to get your license active again and apply to a job. Your only trouble will be getting a job since you have been out of the field as long. I really recommend you take some re-fresher RN courses which you can find online. Make sure they are legit. Then when you apply to your job you can show the employer you have brushed up on your nursing skills.
But don’t sweat it because they will train you when you get a job and you should get a good orientation. Many hospitals have nurse residency programs where they have lots of classes for you to take before you start your job. Ask about this program. The orientation period at my job is 2 months for new nurses. I would make sure you discuss with them you would like an in depth orientation period.
Paulette says
February 11, 2014 at 12:18 pmI am a new nurse graduate and I started out making $18.50 an hour. I live in North Carolina. I know nurses who work in Florida and they started out making a lot more than me. I think they started out at $25.00 so like Megs said it depends on your state.
Megs says
February 11, 2014 at 12:30 pmI like to point out that if you work night shift you will make more so Deborah you may want to do that if you are wanting to make the most.