Nurse Re-Entry Program Q&A

There are 2 parts:

1. Part one is didactic (self-study). You are given 4 weeks from the date that it is issued to complete.
2. 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.

Download an application form the Georgia Board of Nursing website

Complete and return the application for licensure to the GBON and state that you want to enroll in Southern Crescent Technical College board-approved Nurse Re-entry Program. If your name has changed, include a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.

Southern Crescent Technical College, after you send in the application to the state.

• 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 documented history of Chicken Pox disease or Varicella titer.
• Documentation of polio immunization or titer.
• Current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers
• Active malpractice liability insurance ($1,000,000 each incident, $4,000,000 aggregate).
• Complete the Hepatitis B Series or show proof of immunity.
• Active accidental health insurance (medical coverage)
• May be other requirements based on the institution’s policies and procedures.

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

You will meet approximately three times. You will meet to be issued the self-study modules. You will meet again to receive the clinical packet before you start your clinical study and then again at the completion of the clinical time. The coordinator may also communicate with you via phone and email.

You will buy and receive an approved by the GBON through our SOWEGA AHEC, Nurse Reentry Self Study notebook that you will use to complete your didactic self-study. You will want to do further reading and updates in each section. The notebook consists of 28 sections and at the end of each section you will find a test to complete. You may submit these via email to the reentry coordinator for grading as pretests. After completing all sections, a Final Exam is given; proctored by the nurse reentry coordinator. Once you have completed all 28 tests, the coordinator will grade them. You must pass with a minimum score of 80% on each section or module. If you do not pass a module, you can restudy and retake the test. There is no penalty. We are trying to ensure that you have regained basic knowledge in each of the 28 areas.

The cost of the program is $1500.00. You can apply for assistance through WIOA if qualified.

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 training institution’s policies and procedures.

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.”

Yes. We have been doing this for several years and have had nurses who have been out of nursing for as many as 17 years and they have been successful in completing the program.

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

The Southern Crescent Technical College re-entry coordinator will work with one of our affiliated facilities/hospitals to identify a preceptor.

No, a hospital is not the only acceptable facility to complete your 160 hours of clinical training. Please see the GBON website for approved facilities.

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

They allow you to attend their hospital orientation (this does not count toward your clinical hours); they identify a qualified RN, who has practiced at least one year, to supervise you; and they allow you to spend 160 hours of supervised time in the hospital in order to help you reenter the work force. You will not get paid during your 160 hours of clinical.

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.

No.

The re-entry 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 Southern Crescent Technical College at the end of your clinicals.

A number of re-entry 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.

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

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 Supervising Nurse/preceptor works.

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

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.

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.

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 re-entry program is necessary. To avoid processing delays, please be sure to include all required documentation with your application packet.

There are no scheduled start times for our program or deadlines for enrollment. The only deadlines are those set by the state due to the expiration date on your application (1 yr) and the expiration of your temporary license (6 mo) as well as what clinical facilities are available to accept re-entry students.