Abstract:
This qualitative study describes the experiences of inactive registered nurses in
their journey returning to nursing practice and the perceived and unexpected barriers and
successes they met and overcame on their way. This study focused on the meaning of the
situation and experiences of inactive registered nurses returning to practice. The
qualitative research design of Dr. Joseph Maxwell was used as the model. Seventeen
face-to-face interviews were conducted in March 2010. The purposive sample was of
inactive registered nurses who had been inactive for at least five years and had completed
a refresher course between 2007 and 2008 at either a community college or university in
the metropolitan area of Washington, DC.
In analyzing the context and process of how and why nurses return to practice,
seven categories were revealed: the reasons to return, factors that inhibit returning,
barriers of a refresher course, rewards of completing a refresher course, roadblocks of
employment, rewards of returning to practice, and advice for all registered nurses.
This qualitative study has the potential to pay tribute all nurses who practice the
art of nursing by taking time to understand the meaning of the experience. This study
provides a voice for the experiences of previously inactive registered nurses and reveals
their barriers and successes in returning to practice.
