Nurse Refresher Course Information

To participate, students must have an inactive license which meets the renewal requirements set by the Maryland Board of Nursing (see Nurse Practice Act).  Nurses who register for the Nurse Refresher Course must obtain a free copy of the Maryland Nurse Practice Act which is available by contacting Anika Alford, Administrative Assistant at the Maryland Board of Nursing e-mail to aalford@dhmh.state.md.us Via mail: Nurse Practice Act, Maryland Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215.

The Nurse Refresher Course is a three-part course designed for nurses. Step I is 80 hours of classroom nursing theory; Step II is a 12-hour hands-on skills lab and Step III is 60 hours of clinical practice.

Nurse Refresher Course:

STEP I: Step I- Classroom Theory is a full semester classroom series of concentration on the delivery of quality patient care utilizing the nursing process from Maryland Standards of Nurse Practice Act. This course includes medication calculation and administration, medical/surgical situations, pre & post operative, and the professional responsibilities of nursing with collaboration of the Health Care Team. NRS 539 M

STEP II: This 12-hour course runs during the Nurse Refresher Part I Classroom Theory and is a prerequisite for the Nurse Refresher Course Step III: Clinical Practice. Classes meet at Hagerstown Community College on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-10pm. HCC has a state-of-the-art simulation lab where scenarios can be entered into the computer to create a variety of symptoms in mannequins for practice of hands-on skills. During the laboratory experience you will review the basic skills needed to provide nursing care. The course includes a review of: Sterile techniques, wound care, central line dressing’s changes, IV
administration, medication admission, catheterization insertion and care, NG tube placement and care. NRS 094 M.

STEP III: Nurse Refresher Course, Clinical Practice Step III: Skills Lab and Theory is required prior to commencement of Step III: Clinical Practice. This course runs with a flexible schedule. Students are required to complete 60 clinical hours in the clinic setting, precepted by a bachelor's prepared registered nurse who has had a minimum of 3 years of clinical practice and teaching. The course is designed to provide for the clinical application of the knowledge and skills gained from the classroom. Students will have the ability to choose areas of specialty and their clinical schedule. Clinical settings vary depending on contractual relationships with the College. NRS 039 K.

REMINDER: The Nurse Refresher course must be completed in a 12-month period beginning with the first day of Nurse Refresher Course: Part I Classroom Theory. Successful completion of Step I: Classroom Theory & Step II: Skills Lab is required prior to commencement of Step III: Clinical Practice. If you have additional questions and would like more information please contact Susan Lee, at 240-500-2614, or sclee@hagerstowncc.edu.