Michigan State University College of Nursing

Registration is all done on-line with minimal effort. Here are the items you will need: RN License, Credit Card, and your email address.
Website: http://nursing.msu.edu/rnrefreshercourseregister.asp
Questions regarding registration please call (517)355-3393.

A syllabus is currently not available for your review. However, we can enroll you in the RN Refresher Demonstration module for your review. This module closely represents the format and type of material you will encounter in our course.

The Refresher course is a self paced program that has 15 modules. You will proceed through the modules at your own pace. There are learning activities and web activities as well as a quiz in each module. You have one year to complete the program but most nurses do it in less time. All of the module titles and a description of the program are on the website.

The cost of the entire program is $1,250 plus the cost of two textbooks (approximately $140).

     Required textbooks for this course:

     1.  Smeltzer, Suzanne C., Bare, Brenda G., Hinkle, Janice L., Cheever, Kerry H., Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of  Medical-Surgical Nursing, North American Edition, 12th Ed. December 2009. Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2-volume set)  ISBN# 978-0-7817-8590-7

     2.  Judith Hopfer Deglin, April Hazard Vallerand

Davis Drug Guide for Nurses, with Resource Kit CD-ROM; Eleventh Ed.  ISBN# 978-0-8036-1911-1

     These books can be ordered from a variety of online bookstores and sent directly to your home. This source will provide you with comparison pricing on the textbooks and links to the online bookstore.  

http://www.directtextbook.com/no-search.php

     **We suggest that you search for the textbooks using the ISBN number.

The online format of the theory component allows for maximum flexibility for those taking the RN Refresher program. There are textbook reading assignments in addition to the online content and the amount of reading varies depending on the module. Each student has a different background, knowledge base and expertise and will move through the module content differently, depending on their familiarity with the material and other factors. We recommend that you spend time working on the modules each week, if at all possible, and have found that students are completing about one module per week - more, if they have a goal related to when they want to return to work and plan on devoting a good amount of time to the course each week.

We allow you up to one year to finish the course. Our instructors will monitor your progress and provide feedback and assistance as you progress through the course.

You will have access to the course for a year. Once you pass the final exam we will remove your from the course.

It takes us 48 hours to complete the enrollment process.

Minimal computer skills are required for this program. You need to be able to know how to navigate in a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla and have an email account. The first module provides you with an orientation to the online course platform that we use, called ANGEL. There are video clips, animations, and slide show graphics within the course itself. It is highly recommended that you have a computer with a high-speed internet access and speakers. (Some students who live in areas where high-speed internet is not available have used their local public library computers.)

NOTE - Computer Requirements for Certificate Courses:

Our courses require that you have specific technology configuration. Click here for these requirements. Some of our courses utilize pop-up windows. If you are using a pop-up blocker you may have to disable it in order to see all of our examples.

If you have questions or concerns, please call the MSU HELP Desk locally at 517-355-2345 or toll free at 800-500-1554.

Your phone, cable, or satellite company should be able to inform you of the availability of DSL in your area. Sometimes they offer specials to new customers. Don't forget to ask if they are running specials on first time hookups.

There are three kinds of support. MSU Help Desk is available 7 days a week 24 hours a day except for Holiday hours when students are not on campus. Specific content questions should go to the instructor of the course, and lastly our secretary may be able to answer quick questions, but the preferred method is through the Help Desk. To reach the help desk call 800-500-1554. Help desk hours and information is also available when you access the course.

We accept checks, credit cards, and purchase orders. All payments must be received upon registration, prior to beginning the course.

Fifty percent (50%) of the tuition will be refunded until you take the quiz in Module 2. Once you have completed Module 2 refunds are not available.

No, this is not a typical university course. You do not register through MSU, you register through the Professional Partnership's Office within the College of Nursing and then we enter you as a guest student. Our registration process is all handled in-house, you are not recognized as an official MSU student, instead you are a guest student taking a continuing education course.

As long as the lender gives you the check and they make the check out to either you or MSU yes. Because you are not a matriculated student, student loans that have to be processed through the Office of Financial Aid, will not work.

No Worker Left Behind is a program offered through the State of Michigan for Michigan residents. This program is for workers who have been displaced from a position or who meet other criteria. RN Refresher is an approved program. To determine if you qualify, you should contact Michigan Works in your area at http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb. All our eligible programs are listed on their website.

American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

As this is a Refresher course we do not offer any continuing education credits.

No college credits are available for this course.

As this is a Refresher course we do not offer any continuing education credits. We will present you with a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

It takes about two weeks for us to send you the certificates.

Generally speaking, hospitals and other agencies recommend a Refresher course if an RN has been out of active nursing practice for five years or more. This course will help you update your knowledge and skills and prepare you to return to the acute care setting.

You will do the practicum in a hospital setting with an RN preceptor somewhere near your home and we will work with them to identify a clinical site that is appropriate. The clinical practicum is done once the individual successfully completes the theory portion of the course. Any questions or concerns can be answered by Katie Kessler MSN RN, Director of Professional Partnerships, at kessle24@msu.edu. We start discussions as early as possible once you register for the course. It is not necessary for an RN Refresher student to come to campus.

We would like you to complete the 120 hour practicum in no more than six weeks and it can be less than that if you can arrange it. You will arrange the hours with the hospital and RN preceptor - usually 8 hour shifts and in some cases, 12 hours. You will need to work three 8 - hour days per week to complete the requirements in six weeks. If you work five 8 - hour days per week, you will be finished in three weeks. We will discuss specific issues related to clinical with you as you go through the course.

We work with each Refresher student to plan and arrange the clinical practicum. The practicum consists of 120 hours and is typically completed in an acute care facility in your home community. RN Refresher students work directly with an RN preceptor, who is an employee of the hospital. You will be asked to identify 2-3 potential clinical sites in your community and to make a preliminary call to the nurse recruiter at that hospital. We ask you to find out who the contact person is and then we make follow up calls to discuss the specifics of the program. We have developed a Getting Ready for Clinical module that you will begin after Module 7 - that will give you ample time to complete the clinical requirements and work with us to arrange your clinical practicum.

We recommend that you purchase a stethoscope, bandage scissors, and a clip board with a small calculator. You can ask about other items when you meet with the nurse recruiter or preceptor prior to beginning the clinical practicum. Uniforms will be the same as the dress code the hospital requires for RNs. Most nurses wear good white leather tennis shoes or walking shoes. Purchasing a good pair of shoes is important because you will be on your feet more than you are probably used to and hospital floors are usually tile or very low pile carpet.

We have established relationships and affiliating schools agreements with a number of hospitals and health care systems. We can discuss those with you during our preliminary clinical planning call. You are not required to complete your clinical in one of those hospitals but doing so can cut down on some of the "red tape" issues. We will need to complete an affiliating schools contract with the clinical agency prior to the start of your clinical component.

We outline all of the clinical requirements in the Getting Ready for Clinical module but here is a shortened list: A current unrestricted RN license, immunization records or titer levels, a current TB skin test, and current BLS for Healthcare providers. You will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening test prior to the start of your clinical practicum. The process is outlined in the Getting Ready for Clinical module.

We can provide suggestions as to where you may find a position. But we do not have any information on specific employment opportunities.

Please contact Katie Kessler, at kessle24@msu.edu.

You must have an unrestricted RN license to take the clinical component of the course. You can take the theory modules while you are working on getting your RN license if it has lapsed. If there are restrictions on your license, we will discuss your situation and options with you on an individual basis. For licensing questions, contact the State Board of Nursing in your state. For Michigan residents, you can go to: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529---,00.html

Yes, you may take this course. We will work with you to identify a clinical site at a hospital near you.

Please contact Katie Kessler at kessle24@msu.edu to set up a phone appointment to discuss your specific situation.

No, this program has been developed for RN's. To find information about LPN programs, see the National Association of Practical Nurses website, napnes.org or the Michigan Center for Nursing at michigancenterfornursing.org.