Nurse Refresher Course Overview

Two-part Course

The Registered Nurse Refresher course consists of 40 hous of didactic (theoretical) study and 160 hours of precepted clinical hours in one clinical area. The didactic (theory) study can be done online or on-campus. If you are questioning whether you have the basic skills necessary for success in an online learning environment, please complete the SPAHP Online Readiness Assessment below to find out.

Online Readiness Assessment

For Georgia RNs Who Have Been Inactive in Nursing for Four or More Years

Kennesaw State University's Registered Nurse Refresher course has been approved by the Georgia State Board of Nursing. This course is open to registered nurses who are presently eligible for endorsement or reinstatement of licensure in Georgia because they have been inactive in nursing practice for four or more years. 

A current or temporary Georgia Nursing License is required prior to beginning the clinical portion of the Refresher course. The Georgia Board of Nursing requires an application for reinstatement if your Georgia Nursing License has expired.

For RNs Without a Georgia Nursing License

The Georgia Board of Nursing's rule for endorsement states out-of-state applicants must be currently licensed (active) for licensure approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Registered nurses from other states should contact their respective Boards of Nursing to determine if this course meets their requirements for a registered nurse refresher course. A registered nurse refresher course may not be the only requirement for relicensure. Contact your local Board of Nursing for possible additional requirements.

If you have an out-of-state nursing license that has not expired, you need to apply for endorsement and verification of licensure with the Georgia Board of Nursing. This Endorsement process should be completed prior to your registration for this course. An out-of-state nursing license that has expired must be reinstated by the issuing state before applying for endorsement.

All forms and applications can be downloaded from the Georgia Board of Nursing Website.

Nurse Refresher Course Admission Requirements

Participant requirements for admission into course:

• Participants must be a previously or currently U.S. licensed Registered Nurse (RN). A copy of the current or expired license must be provided to the WellStar College Division of Continuing Education within two weeks of registration.
• RN Refresher participants must have had U.S. hospital experience within their nursing program and/or a minimum of six months previous practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the U.S.: Participants will be asked to provide the name and contact information for their latest hospital/acute care employer.
• International nurses educated outside the U.S. must submit acceptable TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores: 79 IBT—internet based, 540 PBT—paper based, 207 CBT—computer based.
• Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening (required for clinical access) must be conducted by a vendor designated by the WellStar College RN Refresher course. Dismissal from the course may result if you are not capable of meeting clinical agency requirements for criminal background check and/or are found to have a positive drug screen. Those with background issues need to contact us prior to registration for advisement on obtaining required temporary license. Previous criminal conviction may prevent admission into the course.

Orientation Locations

On-campus classes and Online orientations are held in the Prillaman Health Sciences building, 520 Parliament Garden Way NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144-559, on the Kennesaw Campus.

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