Multifactorial reasons have produced a growing nursing shortage. One possible group that could reverse this shortage is inactive nurses. Many stakeholders wonder about allocating scarce resources to identify, locate, educate, and redeploy this group into active practice. The purpose of this one-phase embedded validating quantitative mixed methodology was to identify the anticipated job stressors of registered nurse (RN) refresher students as they prepare to enter the work force following a career break. The Likert-type Expanded Nurse Stress Scale (French, Lenton, Walters, & Eyles, 2000; Gray-Toft & Anderson, 1981) was used. The independent variables were the job stressors of RNs. The dependent variable was the anticipated level of stress experienced by the RN refresher students during the refresher course. Forty-five out of 201 refresher students anonymously participated in the online study--a 21.4% response rate. The findings of the study revealed three areas of stress. Uncertainty regarding patient treatment, supervisor problems, and conflict with physicians were ranked as "always stressful". Discrimination, peer problems, and emotional preparation were the lowest rated, "above occasionally stressful". The four qualitative thematic analysis results were preparedness, age-related concerns, emotions, and employment. Triangulation of the data revealed additional concerns of ageism, stamina, computerized health care, cultural bias, making errors, contracting patient illnesses, and self-confidence from continuing education in nursing. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]