On March 15, 1990, Fargo’s nursing community took a significant step to address a critical shortage of healthcare professionals. Veteran nurses began re-entering the workforce through refresher courses offered by St. Luke’s Hospitals. This initiative aimed to update their skills and familiarize them with new medical technologies.
Gracia Fulwiler, coordinator of the refresher course, described the initial reactions of returning nurses. “The looks on their faces are ones of bewilderment, and they’re overwhelmed,” she said. Many participants had left the profession for various reasons, including family commitments, and were now considering a return. The three-week course provides a comprehensive update on current nursing practices, allowing these individuals to regain their confidence.
Originally conducted by St. Luke’s School of Nursing, the refresher course was suspended when the school closed. However, the hospital received numerous inquiries about the program, prompting them to revive it. Over the past three years, the course has produced impressive results: 24 graduates in its first year, 23 the following year, and 28 in the most recent class, which concluded in October 2022.
The upcoming course, set to begin in March, will focus exclusively on registered nurses (RNs), with hopes for future sessions aimed at licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Each participant pays a fee of $350 for the program, which has primarily attracted women, many of whom have been out of nursing for 12 to 15 years. Fulwiler noted that one participant had been away from the profession for 25 years.
“Most of them left to raise a family,” Fulwiler explained. “They bummed around and then took the course to help make a decision on coming back to nursing.” As the course progresses, participants often shed their initial doubts. “You can see they know they can do it,” she added, reflecting on the transformation that occurs by the end of the training.
The refresher course includes 40 hours of classroom instruction and 80 hours of clinical experience, focusing on patient care. Fulwiler emphasized that while fundamental nursing skills remain unchanged, technological advancements have been remarkable. “Basic nursing, at the bedside, hasn’t changed a lot… but the technical changes are phenomenal,” she noted, illustrating the evolution from mercury thermometers to modern devices that measure temperature in the ear canal.
The primary goal of the refresher course is to encourage former nurses to return to the field and fulfill the staffing needs at St. Luke’s. Most participants live within a 45-mile radius of Fargo-Moorhead, though one student traveled from Langdon, North Dakota, a distance of 180 miles. “It feels good to put someone back in circulation,” Fulwiler remarked, highlighting the importance of reintegrating skilled nurses, especially in underserved areas.
As many nurses navigate their return, personal stories emerge that reflect their motivations. Carolyn Haugen, a nurse who had been out of the profession for about eight years, shared her journey back into nursing. She initially planned to quit the profession at various stages of her life, but circumstances brought her back.
The struggling farm economy motivated Haugen and her husband to reevaluate their options. “If it rains, maybe I’ll quit,” she said, referencing the agricultural challenges they faced. Haugen, who became a registered nurse in 1959, has always felt a calling to the profession. “I decided to be a nurse when I was in the fourth grade,” she recalled.
Despite the challenges, including adapting to new technologies and the fast-paced environment of healthcare, Haugen found satisfaction in her work. She described her initial return as overwhelming due to the significant advancements in equipment and practices. “When I came out of the 28-bed hospital at Cooperstown to St. Luke’s, it was quite a shock,” she said.
Haugen highlighted the drastic changes in nursing practices, including the introduction of IV pumps and patient-controlled analgesia devices. She acknowledged the physical and mental demands of nursing, stating, “Nursing isn’t a glamorous profession. It’s hard work.”
As she reflects on her career, Haugen expressed gratitude for the opportunities nursing has provided. “I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” she emphasized. With plans to continue her nursing career, she also considers future volunteer work in hospice care.
The resurgence of nurses rejoining the workforce in Fargo illustrates a proactive response to a national shortage. As programs like the refresher course at St. Luke’s Hospitals continue to evolve, they play a crucial role in revitalizing the nursing profession and ensuring quality patient care in the community.
