Bringing nurses back into the profession is a role Deborah Hobbs, MSN, RN, views as a privilege. "It's one of the greatest things I've ever done."

A refresher course nurse advocate, Hobbs views the existing pool of nurses who have been out of practice from 5-30 years, as an invaluable asset and a resource that should be better utilized to alleviate the nursing shortage

Besides instructing new students, Hobbs teaches an 8-week refresher course at George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing, Fairfax, VA. She was instrumental in getting the university, where she has taught since 2001, to schedule the course more frequently, to every spring and fall.

Mentor & Teacher

Hobbs' emphasis in teaching refresher students is on being a mentor. "Part of what nursing is all about is that once you become a nurse, you are always a nurse," she explains. "You do it in church, you do it in the grocery storeÉeven if you are not working somewhere and bringing home a paycheck, you are still doing it."

Her course includes lectures and clinical training, intertwined with support and encouragement to her students. Already familiar with the professional setting for nurses, the biggest changes since they have practiced are equipment, medication and laboratory testing methods so Hobbs' objective is to get their skills "back up to speed."

Hobbs has both a soft spot and lots of respect for her refresher students, many who have been nurses longer and have more experience than she does. She finds them "nurturing and fun to work with."

Diversity in All Respects

The students are very diverse in age (her oldest student so far was 65), in time away from professional practice, and in background and nationality - they represent not only the U.S., but countries like Korea and Ghana. They have varying education levels - some have master's degrees and have taught clinically. And they hail from numerous specialty areas.

These nurses actually want more specialized refresher training options, but for now, that has to be gained once they return to practice.

The reality is almost every nurse takes time out of his or her schedule at some point, whether it is for family or a move, according to Hobbs, and there should be a greater effort to ease them back into the profession.

Hobbs herself has balanced her career while being a wife, and a mother of three children, now ages 22, 19 and 16. She started out in 1981 as an LPN, became an RN 5 years later, and has practiced at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, VA, since 1990, where she is currently a prn.

She also continues to grow professionally; she is working on her doctorate in nursing with a focus on nursing education.

Hobbs has encouraging words for nurses interested in returning to practice: "You can do it as proficiently and passionately as before."