Program Overview

Program Overview

The refresher course is designed for nurses who have been out of the field for an extended period. The program is approximately seven to eight months long, although completion time may vary.

Admission Requirements

• A verbal commitment from a clinical site is required before enrolling in the refresher course.
• Participants must indicate if they are completing the clinical component of the course during the application process.
• A participant is not allowed to enroll and add the clinical component later.

Clinical Component

Finding a Clinical Site

To find a clinical site, participants should:

• Identify their desired area of healthcare nursing
• Consider what area of healthcare nursing they wish to return to and pursue a clinical in that direction
• Update their resume to highlight prior nursing experience
• Prepare a concise introduction to their request, including who they are, what they are doing, and why they are contacting the site
• Identify up to five local sites of interest and contact them via phone or email
• Follow up with sites in a professional and patient manner

Clinical Requirements

• The clinical component is completed with a healthcare provider of the participant's choosing in their local area.
• Hands-on patient care is required.
• Experiences in case management and telehealth are not approved.
• A wide variety of medically necessary patient care must be practiced in clinical.
• Clinical settings in medical spas, traveling IV services, and shot clinics are not approved.
• Nursing including patient transports (ground or air) are not approved.
• If a participant is a registered nurse seeking a clinical, they must be employed in the setting.
• If a participant is a licensed practical nurse seeking clinical, they must be employed in the setting.
• An registered nurse preceptor is required to provide direct supervision for registered nurse and licensed practical nurse participants during all clinical practice.

Program Details

• The program is an independent study course.
• Preparation for clinical and coordination of experience documentation are requirements of the course.
• Progression through the course may be impacted by factors outside of the participant's control.
• A drug screen is required prior to clinical, not prior to enrollment.
• The drug screen must be current within three months of beginning the clinical experience.

Financial Information

• Full payment of the program fee is required after all enrollment requirements are met and prior to beginning the course.
• Financial aid is not available, as the refresher course is taken for professional continuing education, not college credit.

Support and Resources

• SDSU does not place a time limit on the absence from the nursing field and assists nurses who have been out of the field for five, 10 to 25 years.
• Identifying and securing the clinical commitment is the responsibility of the participant.
• SDSU may offer suggestions of where other participants have secured clinical, but the participant is responsible for securing the clinical experience.