Can everyone be refreshed?

Although most inactive nurses enrolled in a registered nurse refresher course can safely and effectively be returned to active practice on completion of such a course, there is a small group for which this is not the case. The authors explored factors that could predict successful course completion and transition back to active practice. Although not statistically significant, three factors seemed to suggest areas for further study. The age of the nurse and the number of children could be predictors of success. Nurses who had practiced in an acute care setting (i.e., hospital) were more likely to be successful than nurses who had practiced in other areas. Time in nursing practice immediately following graduation and time away from the practice of nursing were not found to be strong predictors. Other approaches may be necessary to help these nurses successfully return to practice.