Nurse Reentry Program

THIS IS INTENDED ONLY FOR REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT.

PLEASE SEE "NURSE REENTRY PROGRAM STEPS" BELOW.

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), with the support from the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON), has developed a Nurse Reentry Program to reenter the high-demand field of nursing in the state of Georgia.

The Nurse Reentry Program, approved by the GBON, provides the individualized combination of 40 hours of independent online study (delivered via Blackboard) and 160 hours of clinical study required by the Board for reinstatement of licensure as a RN or LPN.

The Nurse Reentry Program is designed for RNs or LPNs who are presently ineligible for reinstatement of their license because the license has lapsed or has been inactive. RNs or LPNs who have active licenses returning to direct patient care who have not worked in the clinical area for some time may also benefit from this program.

For more information about reinstatement of a Georgia RN or LPN license, please visit the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) website and reference the below sections on this page.

After visiting the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) website, you may request assistance from the GBON at [email protected] or CPTC Continuing Education at [email protected].

Who Does This Apply To?

• RNs or LPNs who have an active GA RN or LPN license but have not practiced nursing for four or more years and want to refresh their knowledge base and nursing skills in preparation to reenter the nursing profession in a clinical setting.
• RNs or LPNs who want to reinstate their GA RN or LPN license by completing a required Board-approved reentry / refresher program.
• RNs or LPNs who have an active RN or LPN license in another state but need to complete a required Board approved reentry / refresher program to apply for a GA RN or LPN license.

Requirements

The 40 hours of study relevant to nursing must be completed before beginning the 160 hours of supervised clinical study. Upon completion of the 160 hours of clinical study, verification of this will be sent to the Board to support the reinstatement of RN or LPN licensure. Before the clinical time begins, the applicant must provide the following information to the CPTC Reentry Coordinator:

• A physical examination within the past six months indicating a good state of health.
• Documentation of a 2-step TB skin test unless documentation is provided of annual TB skin testing or documentation of a negative Quantiferon or TSpot test. If past history of positive TB skin test, then a chest x-ray within the past 12 months (some facilities may require 6 months) with results within normal limits is required.
• MMR -Two doses or documentation of positive Measles, Mumps and Rubella titers.
• Documentation of Tdap within the last 10 years.  Td alone is not sufficient.
• Varicella Vaccination two doses or immune titer.
• Current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers.
• Active malpractice liability insurance ($1,000,000 each incident, $4,000,000 aggregate).
• Active accidental health insurance (medical coverage).
• Complete the Hepatitis B Series or show proof of immunity.
• May be other requirements based on the institution’s policies and procedures.

Nurse Reentry Program Steps

1. Contact the GBON and / or click on the appropriate link below for detailed information:

• Georgia RN Reinstatement Checklist
• Georgia LPN Reinstatement Checklist
• Other State RN Endorsement Checklist
• Other State LPN Endorsement Checklist

2. After you have submitted your application to GBON, please contact CPTC Continuing Education by email at [email protected] to let us know that your application has been submitted. Your email will be shared with the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator and TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson.

3. GBON will respond with a letter that includes an application number at the top. Submit this letter by email to CPTC Continuing Education at [email protected]. Your email will be shared with the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator and TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson.

4. If it is determined that a Nurse Reentry Program is needed, then register and pay on this page for the Nurse Reentry Program.

5. CPTC Continuing Education will confirm registration and payment with the TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson.

6. TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson will add information to the Nurse Reentry Program in Blackboard.

7. Blackboard login information will be sent to you upon addition to the Nurse Reentry Program.

8. Discuss coordination of a clinical preceptor with the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator.

9. Submit a completed official RN Reentry Application or LPN Reentry Application to [email protected]. Your email will be shared with the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator, Preceptor, and TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson who will complete their portions of the application, then submit it to GBON.

• Form A
• Complete the Applicant information
• Reentry Coordinator will complete the Reentry Coordinator Information

• Form B
• Complete the Applicant information
• Reentry Chairperson will complete the Reentry Coordinator Information

• Form C
• Complete Applicant information
• Preceptor will complete the Reentry Preceptor Information

10. Login to Blackboard and begin the 40-hour online portion of the Nurse Reentry Program.

11. Submit all clinical documents, liability insurance, background check/drug screen, and vaccination information to CPTC Continuing Education at [email protected]. Your email will be shared with the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator.

12. Submit a headshot photo with plain background to the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator. This will be used to create your ID badge that is required for the clinical.

13. Near completion of the 40-hour online portion of the Nurse Reentry Program, the TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson will notify the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator to contact the Preceptor to schedule the 160-hour clinical portion of the Nurse Reentry Program.

14. Upon completion of the 40-hour online portion of the Nurse Reentry Program, contact the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator to schedule the skills-check that may be deferred to the Preceptor.

15. Upon completion of the 160-hour clinical portion of the Nurse Reentry Program, all documents with Preceptor signatures, skills-check, etc. will be share by the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator with the TCSG Nurse Reentry Chairperson for processing and submission to GBON for reinstatement of RN or LPN licensure.

Nurse Re-entry Program Q&A

1. How many parts are there to the Re-entry Program and how long does each take?

a. There are 2 parts

i. Part one is didactic (self-study). You are given 4 weeks from the date that it is issued to complete.

ii. Part two is the clinical portion. This portion consists of a minimum of 160 hours of supervised clinical practice. The length of time varies but is usually around 1-3 months.

2. What will I need to do to enroll in your Reentry Program?

a. Download an application form from the Georgia Board of Nursing website, then complete and return the application for licensure to the GBON and state that you want to enroll in the Coastal Pines Technical College board-approved Nurse Reentry Program. If your name has changed, include a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.

3. Who completes Form A, B and C for the Board of Nursing?

a. Coastal Pines Technical College, after you send in the application to the state.

4. Prior to meeting with the CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator, what do I need to do?

a. A physical examination within the past six months indicating a good state of health.

b. Documentation of a 2-step TB skin test unless documentation is provided of annual TB skin testing or documentation of a negative Quantiferon or TSpot test. If past history of positive TB skin test, then a chest x-ray within the past 12 months (some facilities may require 6 months) with results within normal limits is required.

c. MMR -Two doses or documentation of positive Measles, Mumps and Rubella titers.

d. Documentation of Tdap within the last 10 years.  Td alone is not sufficient.

e. Varicella Vaccination two doses, or documented history of Chicken Pox disease or Varicella titer.

f. Documentation of polio immunization or titer.

g. Current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers.

h. Active malpractice liability insurance ($1,000,000 each incident, $4,000,000 aggregate).

i. Complete the Hepatitis B Series or show proof of immunity.

j. Active accidental health insurance (medical coverage)

k. May be other requirements based on the institution’s policies and procedures.

5. How long will the entire reentry program take?

a. It takes anywhere between 2 to 4 months. The entire program must be completed in 6 months.

6. How often will I meet with the Coordinator?

a. You will have two skills checkoffs with your program coordinator.

7. How does the self-study portion work?

a. You will work independently through an online course. There is an instructor available to answer questions and provide assistance as needed.

8. Are there any other costs associated with the program?

a. You will have to pay for your immunizations, physical exam, malpractice, CPR training, background check, and the Board of Nursing application fee. Additional fees may be assessed based on the policies and procedures of Coastal Pines Technical College.

9. I have not practiced in the last four years; do I need a reentry program?

a. The Board states: “Applicants that cannot document three months or 500 hours of licensed practice as a registered nurse within the last four years immediately preceding the date of application must complete a Board approved reentry program.”

10. I have not practiced for years; do you think I can do this?

a. Yes. Our course is designed to allow for up to 6 months of self-study to ensure you feel refreshed and confident in your skills. have had nurses who have been out of nursing for as many as 17 years and they have been successful in completing the program.

11. What if I do not finish the Reentry Program within the six months in which my temporary license has been issued?

a. You must reapply to the Board of Nursing and start the process over.

12. Who actually contacts the facility to obtain a preceptor?

a. The CPTC Nurse Reentry Coordinator will work with one of their affiliated healthcare providers to identify a preceptor. 

13. May I have more than one clinical preceptor for my experience?

a. It may be possible but it is a 1:1 ratio in working with a nurse.

14. Will I have to have a criminal background check?

a. The GBON requires a criminal background check. Follow their instructions on their website to obtain one. In addition, some institutions require their own background check. We will inform you of how to proceed once the institution has been identified.

15. Is an institution obligated to let me do the clinicals if something negative shows up in my background check?

a. No.

16. Who arranges the actual hours I will work during my clinicals?

a. The reentry candidate and the preceptor work together to make those arrangements. Be sure to document the actual days and hours worked and submit that information to at the end of your clinicals.

17. Will the facility/hospital require that I work for them once I finish the Reentry Program?

a. A number of reentry nurses have been offered jobs upon completion of the program at the facility following their clinical experience. The clinical practice part of the program is an excellent time to learn about employment opportunities at the facility. Some training sites require a work commitment, however, there is no guarantee or obligation by either party.

18. Are there certain competencies I must demonstrate during the clinical?

a. Yes, you and your Supervising Nurse/preceptor will be given a copy of them. They are typically the skills checklist used at that facility.

19. Do I have to work 12-hour shifts?

a. Shift hours vary by the facility and the department that you are placed in. It is usually an 8 or 12-hour shift depending upon the shift your preceptor works.

20. Do I need insurance during my clinical time?

a. Yes, you need both medical liability insurance, health, and an accidental health insurance (medical coverage).

21. Can I choose which shift and which area I would like to do my clinical?

a. No. The clinical hours and unit are assigned based on the availability at the facility. You may state your preference for shifts/departments but that is not a guarantee that you will be placed on that shift. It would be helpful if you have a resume stating your area of expertise.

22. Can I do this program if I have a current nursing license?

a. Yes, the program may be done if you have a current license and want a refresher to brush up on your skills and to make you more marketable as an employee.

23. Can I participate in this program if I am licensed in another state?

a. Yes, first you have to submit an application to the GBON for licensure by endorsement. Once your application has been processed/reviewed, GBON will notify you if a reentry program is necessary. To avoid processing delays, please be sure to include all required documentation with your application packet.

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