The Nurse Refresher course is a three-step process designed for the Registered Nurse to reinstate an inactive Maryland license. Areas of concentration include: delivery of care utilizing the nursing process; medication calculation and administration; adult medical/surgical nursing; and current issues, trends, and nursing practice. The Nurse Refresher course takes 16 weeks to complete. Step 1 consists of 10 weeks of theory, one classroom day per week and online assignments. Step 2 consists of 12 hours of skills labs Friday evening and Saturday. Step 3 consists of 60 hours of clinical hours with a preceptor.

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Nurse Refresher Screening (HCE 036)

This course is designed as a screening tool to assist RN’s who are interested in applying for the Nurse Refresher Program. Potential Nurse Refresher candidates will complete a background check and verification of their nursing licensure status through the Maryland Board of Nursing. Refunds will not be issued for students who fail to meet eligibility guidelines. All background investigations will be completed through a third-party (Sterling Infosystems, Inc).

Nurse Refresher Theory (NRS 988)

The Nurse Refresher Theory is the first in a three-part series designed for Registered to reinstate an inactive Maryland nursing license. The course consists of a hybrid class with 40 classroom hours and online course work totaling 80 hours of content. Areas of concentration include delivery of care utilizing the nursing process; medication calculation and administration; adult medical/surgical nursing; and current issues, trends, and nursing practice. Students are expected to complete assignments on a weekly basis for the online component. In person classes are held on Monday evenings from 6-10 p.m. The online lecture is delivered on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6 p.m.

Successful completion of this course requires an 80% or higher average score on weekly quizzes and 4 exams. There is a required textbook, the cost of which is in addition to the class fees (Lewis, S. Medical Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, 10th edition. Elsevier.).

Nurse Refresher Skills Lab (NRS 094)

The Nurse Refresher Skills lab is the second in a three part series of courses designed for Registered to reinstate an inactive Maryland nursing license. It consists of 12 classroom hours, eight of which are required and four are optional. Class is conducted in a state of the art Simulation Lab using hands on practice in areas including:

• Standard Precautions
• Isolation
• Hand Hygiene
• Vital Signs
• Medication Administration (Including IV’s)
• Central Line Dressings (RN)
• Nasogastric tube management and care

Successful completion of this course requires demonstration of skills and observation of the skills being performed by the class instructor.

Nurse Refresher Clinical (NRS 743)

The Nurse Refresher Clinical is the third course in the three step series designed for Registered to reinstate an inactive Maryland nursing license and consists of 60 clinical hours. Areas of practice may include:

• Medical/Surgical
• Mental health
• Labor and Delivery
• Urgent care

Students work with Site Coordinators and are assigned to individual preceptors with whom they schedule their work hours. Preceptors complete a Nurse Refresher Clinical Evaluation Form noting the number of hours that the student has completed under their supervision and rates the tasks observed as: satisfactory, needs improvement, or unsatisfactory.

Nurse Refresher Clinical Prerequisites

Prior to beginning the Clinical Practice component of this course, students must:

• Complete the “Nurse Refresher Screening” (HCE-036), which consists of a Criminal Background Check and Nursing Licensure verification.
• Possess an active, inactive, or temporary Maryland nursing license (RN) or one from a compact state.
• Provide documentation of a physical exam (signed by a medical provider – MD, PA, or NP) within 12 months from the start date of clinical practice.
• Have a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider CPR card from the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Provide medical documentation or waivers of the following vaccinations: MMR (or titer), Varicella (or titer), Tetanus, Hepatitis B series, Negative TB test (PPD or CXR) – TB results should be taken within the past 12 months of the start of Clinical Practice.

Nurse Refresher Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Nurse Refresher course?

• The Nurse Refresher course takes 16 weeks to complete. Step 1 consists of 10 weeks of theory, one classroom day per week and online assignments. Step 2 consists of 12 hours of skills labs Friday evening and Saturday. Step 3 consists of 60 hours of clinical hours with a preceptor.

How much does the course cost?

• The Nurse Refresher Screening (HCE 036) is $75.
• The Nurse Refresher Theory (NRS 988) is $975 | Senior Total is $585.
• The Nurse Refresher Skills (NRS 094) is $479 | Senior Total is $263.
• The Nurse Refresher Clinical (NRS 743) is $349 | Senior Total is $144.

What are my first steps in registering for the course?

• It is advisable to contact the Allied Health Program Manager prior to registering for the course. (Jessica Baker: jhbaker2@hagerstowncc.edu).
• Your first step would be to register for the Nurse Refresher Screening (HCE 036).
• You will be emailed a link to complete a background check. Once your background check has been received and processed, you will be notified.
• Candidates with successful background checks will be instructed to register for Nurse refresher Theory (NRS 988).

Do I have to pay for the entire program at one time?

• No, you may register (and pay) for each part of the Nurse Refresher Program separately or all at once.

Nurse Refresher Faculty

Robin Banfe MS, RN

Robin Banfe has been an RN for more than 20 years. She has a master's degree in Health Services Leadership and Management with a post-master's certificate in teaching in nursing. She obtained her master’s degree online from University of Maryland SON. She has worked in the areas of rehabilitation, joint replacements, L&D, postpartum, NICU, teaching in nursing, office RN, and case management. She currently works full-time at the Washington County Health Department as a nurse case manager for the colorectal cancer screening and breast and cervical cancer screening programs. She is married, has two daughters, and two Shih-Tzu dogs. She will be teaching a majority of the online classes.