What Nursing Refresher Course Is Right for You?

If you’re going back to nursing after a break, refresher programs will help you brush up on your skills and regain your confidence.

By Camilla Andersson, Monster Contributor

Are you looking to return to nursing after taking time off, but want to brush up on your skills before you start looking for nursing jobs and caring for patients again? You may want to enroll in a nursing refresher course.

Offered through colleges and healthcare facilities, nurse refresher courses are designed for nurses who have been out of the field for a while, but there are benefits even if you’re currently working as a nurse. Read on for the details on how to choose the nursing refresher course that’s right for your career.

What Is a Nursing Refresher Course?

A nursing refresher course is a class designed to help nurses transition back to work after taking time off for becoming a parent, taking care of family, or pursuing other passions. These classes are offered at colleges, universities, healthcare facilities, and by professional nursing organizations.

A refresher course for nurses typically includes about 40-80 hours of theory. An LPN refresher course is often slightly shorter than an RN refresher course, although many facilities combine the two into one class. Many classes include clinical hours and lab work in addition to academic classes, which may be optional or required to pass the class. Classes are often held during evenings or weekends to accommodate students who are working full-time in another profession.

Reasons to Take a Nursing Refresher Course

If your nursing license is no longer active, your state board of nursing might require you to take a course in order to return to active status.

States have different rules for nursing licenses. In some states, you can keep your nursing license inactive by paying the renewal fee but not completing all the requirements for renewing your license. In other states, your license becomes inactive when you don’t renew it, and remains inactive for a few years before moving to expired status (also called a delinquent or lapsed license).

Regardless of the circumstances, you can’t practice nursing with an inactive or expired license and need to meet certain requirements, like completing a nursing refresher course, to activate it. If your license is expired, you may also need to meet other requirements to get it reinstated, such as taking the NCLEX test again and passing a background check.

In some states, you can also take a nurse refresher course in order to transfer your license from your home state if you have recently moved.

Even if your nursing license is still active, a nurse refresher course can offer several advantages, including:

  • increasing your confidence at work
  • refreshing your nursing knowledge
  • practicing clinical tasks in a lab settings
  • keeping you up-to-date with new developments and technologies in nursing
  • ensuring that you follow the Nursing Code of Ethics, which includes making sure that you maintain your competence and continue personal and professional growth
  • networking and making new connections if you attend classes in person
  • finding mentors in class instructors or during clinical hours that can help you transition back to the nursing profession
  • making connections during clinical hours that could lead to job offers
  • fulfilling the continuing education (CE) requirement for your nursing license
  • increasing your value on the job market, since some employers will want to you take a refresher course if you’ve been out of the profession for a while

Types of Nursing Refresher Courses

Most nursing refresher courses are designed for specific nursing categories, for example an RN refresher course or an LPN refresher course. Additionally, refresher courses can be divided into the following categories:

  • online courses
  • classroom-based courses
  • hybrid models with theory hours completed both in person and online
  • courses combining classroom learning with clinical and lab hours in person

Requirements for Nurse Refresher Courses

Depending on the target group, refresher courses for nurses typically require either an active, inactive, or expired nursing license. Regardless, they usually require that the current or former license has been in good standing with no disciplinary actions or filed accusations.

Some specify exactly how long you must have been away from the nursing profession to take the class. Sometimes these are just recommendations; sometimes you have to meet these requirements to take the class.

Courses that include clinical hours often have strict requirements similar to work requirements for nurses, such as:

  • proof of CPR certification
  • completing a physical exam
  • proof of vaccines
  • passing a TB screening
  • proof of health insurance
  • proof of malpractice insurance
  • passing a criminal background check
  • passing a drug test

After completing coursework and before starting clinical work, you may be required to reinstate your license or apply for a temporary license, depending on state regulations.

Nursing Refresher Courses vs. Re-Entry Programs

Some providers differentiate between a nursing refresher course and a nurse reactivation course. In these cases, nursing reactivation classes are for students who no longer have an active license or who have been without a license longer, typically 3-5 years.

Programs for nurses who no longer have an active license that are held at healthcare facilities are also sometimes called nursing re-entry programs. These typically have a stronger focus on clinical hours.

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably so read the course description or contact the provider for more information if you have any questions.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Refresher Course

There is a wide range of refresher courses for nurses. Take the time to research and evaluate your options to make sure you’ll get the most out of your time. These are some factors to consider when choosing between nursing refresher courses:

  • Confirm that the class meets the requirements in your state for reinstating your license, if your license is inactive or expired. Usually the course description will mention this, but you should also verify it with your state Board of Nursing.
  • Check if it also meets continuing education (CE) requirements from the Board of Nursing, so you can count it towards your CE hours.
  • Evaluate the course content and curriculum. Some courses are more focused on pathology; others may focus more on performing assessments, exams, and diagnostic tests. Courses for nurses who have been out of practice for longer may review basic information such as how to check vital signs and administer medication.
  • Research the credentials and experience of the course instructors. It’s common for the instructors to be former or currently practicing RNs, especially for a refresher course for an RN.
  • Compare costs of different courses. Classes typically cost between $300-$2000, depending on the length, the location, and the material included. Some fees include things like textbooks, nurse liability insurance, and background checks, which can otherwise add a few hundred dollars to the total cost. Some classes at healthcare facilities reimburse part of the fee if you commit to taking on a job there after the class is over.
  • Consider the clinical setting. Since the goal of the class is to prepare you to return to work, choose a course where the clinical hours are in a setting similar to where you want to work; for example a hospital or clinic.
  • See if the class sets up the clinic hours or if you’ll be responsible for finding a location. Some courses require you to find a location for your clinical hours, while others have everyone complete hours at the same facility. Each of these options comes with its advantages and disadvantages.
  • Consider your individual learning style and other preferences. If you have a busy schedule, for example, an online course offers more flexibility, but may lack networking and mentorship opportunities.

What to Expect at Your Nurse Refresher Course

A nursing refresher course will give you a brush-up on nursing fundamentals. You’ll also get an update on new technologies and equipment, as well a reminder of soft skills, like how to best support patients through challenging health issues. Since students will be in a similar situation to you, you’ll also have the opportunity to get support from others returning to nursing and discuss common concerns, especially if you take the class in person.

Online classes might offer less support and networking, but sometimes include online discussion groups and other opportunities for you to connect with fellow students. Some online classes also have virtual simulation labs and other interactive training components.

Theory Hours

Most nursing skills refresher courses include theory hours, sometimes called a didactic course component. These are completed either online or in person. A typical theory portion of a nursing refresher is about 60-80 hours. If you take an online class, you may be able to complete the coursework on your own schedule, as long as you meet certain deadlines.

You’ll brush up on skills such as:

  • medication administration
  • current nursing trends and issues
  • patient rights, informed consent, and advanced directives
  • other regulations and standards, such as OSHA
  • obtaining health history
  • performing physical assessments
  • nursing ethics and values
  • managing IV therapy, oxygen therapy, tube feedings etc.
  • caring for patients with mental health conditions or behavioral health concerns
  • case management
  • communicable diseases
  • cultural sensitivity
  • drug classifications
  • calculating drug doses

Exams

You may need to pass several tests on the theory coursework to pass the class, or to move onto the clinical component of the course. Some classes include a comprehensive final exam that you must complete to get a passing grade.

Laboratory Hours

Also called skills lab or nursing lab, lab hours take place in a classroom setting, but simulate clinical work. This is similar to lab in nursing school, and you might practice on a dummy or other equipment. Some labs may also have open hours where you can practice on your own time.

Here’s what you might practice in lab hours:

  • sterile gloving
  • maintaining a sterile field
  • applying dressings
  • wound care
  • administrating medications
  • checking vital signs
  • inserting and removing nasogastric tubes, catheters, tracheostomy tubes, and IV

Clinical Hours

Clinical hours, also called clinical rotation, typically takes place under the supervision of a nurse. You’ll complete hours at a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or similar facility. You might be rated on your performance as well. Some refresher courses require you to complete a clinical portion; while some make this part optional. A few courses include only clinical hours, but most have them as the final step after completing theory and lab hours.

Transitioning Back to Working as a Nurse

A nursing refresher course will play a large role in getting you ready to return to nursing, but the next challenge is proving to prospective employers that you’re ready to transition back to nursing. These are some tips to help you find a job and adjust to returning to work:

  • Join professional nursing organizations; or become more active if you’re already a member. This can help you network, find mentors, and improve your knowledge.
  • Emphasize transferable skills on your resume. This can bridge the gap between your most recent jobs and the nursing profession, if you’ve been working in another career.
  • Reach out to old colleagues. Your old supervisors may still be able to serve as your references, if you explain that you’ve been away from nursing for a while. But consider also reaching out to old co-workers for support and networking.
  • Even though you’re not entering a brand new career, you can use some of the techniques for career change cover letters to explain your transition back to nursing.
  • If you’re struggling to get back into nursing, volunteering at a healthcare practice or a nursing internship can help you add recent experience to your resume and make new connections.

Refresh Your Job Search Skills With Monster

After taking your nursing refresher course, it’s time to brush up on your job-hunting skills. Use our resources for job seekers once you sign up with a free Monster account. Get job alerts and career advice straight to your inbox and upload your resume so that recruiters can reach out to you with new nursing jobs.