title: RN refresher courses: hospital-based versus university-based.
abstract: Refresher and reentry courses for registered nurses (RNs) are being used to recruit inactive nurses back into practice in the present nursing shortage. Built on models of staff development orientation for newly employed RNs and continuing education for adult learners, two refresher/reentry programs are described. University- and hospital-based RN refresher courses had similar enrollments and positive evaluations, but different curriculum organization; cost and employment outcomes varied. Both employment prior to the class and collaboration among providers greatly enhance positive outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, USA. rmorriso@bama.ua.edu
authors.forename: Ruby Shaw
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Geri L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Marti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000592:standards*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D014495:Universities