letting my license go inactive

[freshstart]

I am due to renew my nursing registration. To do so, I have to pay to take an Infection Control class that is geared toward doctors and nurses. To be honest, after taking those online hospice little classes through work and failing the posttests, I do not feel confident that I could pass the Infection Control test at this point with this brain. The hospice classes are very easy. I would have to pay to take it until I pass it.

You never lose your nursing license unless you do something specific wrong. You can choose to put your professional registration on an inactive status. When you are ready to practice, you can easily make it active again.

SSDI declared me disabled for two years, then I get re-evaluated. I started losing memory in June of 2014 but I did not realize it was a serious problem until that Sept and through til the following January. So it's been almost 2 yrs for the memory stuff. And while the POT syndrome is much better, it is not totally controlled, I haven't even been cleared to walk the dogs around the block. I think it's safe to say judging by how long it's taking to get this stuff cleared up, that I may not be practicing for two years. My doctors have bluntly said I will never practice as a nurse again. I flip flop on whether to believe this.

Since I can go active again any time I want, is this a no brainer, I should go inactive? I hate the thought of doing it but i am not giving up my license. I will save money and frustration. Sound reasonable?

[Ultralight]

I am due to renew my nursing registration. To do so, I have to pay to take an Infection Control class that is geared toward doctors and nurses. To be honest, after taking those online hospice little classes through work and failing the posttests, I do not feel confident that I could pass the Infection Control test at this point with this brain. The hospice classes are very easy. I would have to pay to take it until I pass it.

You never lose your nursing license unless you do something specific wrong. You can choose to put your professional registration on an inactive status. When you are ready to practice, you can easily make it active again.

SSDI declared me disabled for two years, then I get re-evaluated. I started losing memory in 2014 but I did not realize it was a serious problem until that Sept and through til the following January. So it's been almost 2 yrs for the memory stuff. And while the POT syndrome is much better, it is not totally controlled, I haven't even been cleared to walk the dogs around the block. I think it's safe to say judging by how long it's taking to get this stuff cleared up, that I may not be practicing for two years. My doctors have bluntly said I will never practice as a nurse again. I flip flop on whether to believe this.

Since I can go active again any time I want, is this a no brainer, I should go inactive? I hate the thought of doing it but i am not giving up my license. I will save money and frustration. Sound reasonable?

Save money and frustration. That is my vote.

[bae]

Go inactive, and focus on self-care for now.

To help others effectively, you need to help yourself first.

[Ultralight]

Go inactive, and focus on self-care for now.

To help others effectively, you need to help yourself first.

I agree. :+1:

[freshstart]

thank you!

[JaneV2.0]

Think of it as a sabbatical. "Sharpen the saw" as you are able.

[Tammy]

I agree. Don't waste your money and effort on keeping my it at this time.

After working and living in AZ for about two years I had to decide whether to keep my Ohio license active. I inactivated it. Saved money and bother. But even that was a tough decision, so I do empathize.

[JaneV2.0]

Also, doctors often "point the (voodoo) bone," hang crepe, forecast the worst outcome. I guess they feel they're being realistic, not getting expectations up, forestalling lawsuits, whatever. Dr. Bernie Siegel calls this "false no-hope." Just proceed as if you have no limits in your recovery.

[freshstart]

I try to. I figure if they don't know why the neuro stuff happened, then they don't really know it's never coming back and I'm pretty stubborn and being "retired" at 46 ain't my thang at all. So I'll keep plugging along

[jp1]

I agree with Jane. The docs have predicted the worst case scenario so that almost any improvement will feel good. Much the way weather forecasts given by news organizations always push up the likelihood of rain. People hate getting caught without an umbrella and get upset. People who brought an umbrella when the rain doesn't happen are generally happy with the outcome.

And I agree with bae and everyone who suggests going inactive with your license. Since it's easy to reinstate there's really no downside to doing this. I might feel different if reinstatement was a complicated or difficult process in any way.

[ToomuchStuff]

Go inactive, and focus on self-care for now.

To help others effectively, you need to help yourself first.


This is a plan, and having an inactive license that doesn't cost, is a hope. Your goal will be then to get to a stage where you can make it active.

[freshstart]

makes perfect sense

[Aqua Blue]

I let my RN license expire 7 years ago. I have a form of spondylitis and knew I would never be able to practice again. It was a hard moment for me. An end of an era so to speak. Life goes on, but I do miss nursing.

[freshstart]

I miss it so much, I still wake up many mornings ready to go attack the day and then I remember. I think it's good that NY lets you just re-activate it again should your circumstances change. If they didn't offer that option, I don't think I would've been ready to let it lapse. I'm sorry you had to stop, too

[Teacher Terry]

I had 2 licenses that I let go because I was paying for them every year and had to do CEU"s. It was still hard even though I had not been practicing in those areas for years. For me I would have to retake tests if I wanted them back.