Overview of the RN Refresher Program

The RN Refresher provides a streamlined path back to practice for nurses with inactive licenses to return to the field. The NC AHEC RN Refresher program has been around for roughly 50 years.Data from the North Carolina Board of Nursing indicates that more than 100,000 nurses in the state are not currently practicing, with the majority having inactive licenses. This program offers a focused pathway to help them return to practice.

How it works

The RN Refresher program is designed for registered nurses with a lapsed license over five years or an active RN looking to update their knowledge (e.g., an RN who has been away from bedside for a while).

NC AHEC’s program is approved by the NC Board of Nursing and consists of 24 self-paced, online modules through the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing and a 140-hour clinical practicum managed by regional AHECs. Nurses complete a clinical experience in their own community arranged by regional AHECs in partnership with local practice organizations. The average time of completion is 8-12 months.

NC AHEC. (2024, October 17). Nurse Refresher Program. NC AHEC. https://www.ncahec.net/rnrefresher/.