Nurses over 50 &/or with health issues affecting work

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm sure I'm not the first (or the last) nurse to deal with this issue - I've been a Nurse for over 27 years and now I find myself having trouble "keeping up".(( Due to age? Weight? Arthritis? effect of an AA (sustained while working) and other reasons)).

I think it would be great to be able to talk to others about how they are handling things or what they have done in the past (for those who have retired or found alternative means of remaining in Nursing that are easier for them.

Feel free to email me or respond on this buletain board!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE to hear stories of nurses moving forward into new careers and interests like Vickie has!:) Although I doubt I can return to bedside nursing (following an accident), I can choose to learn other areas of practice. I have always loved my critical care setting so I guess I've been going through the stages of grief at at the thought of losing my specialty and my 'edge'.

Time to stop grieving and move forward though, and this forum is helping greatly. Thanks all!:>)

:confused: This worries me. I am a 51 year old male. I lost my job last October and decided to start a new career in nursing. I just started school in Jan. and I love it! I am working part time as a nurse tech. So far I have not had any problems. I wish you well.

brent

I don't think any nurse is going to harass a 51 year old male!

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

I wouldn't put any money on that, RNKitty! ;) I've seen some pretty good looking, well kept men over 50! :)

LOL you guys! I don't know - do guys hold up better in their 50's in a job like this? I guess women do tend to have a worse time with the arthritic type problems.

I guess we'll know more as more and more men become nurses and then age. LOL - QUICKLY, if they're anything like me!!

Love

Dennie

Male nurse injuries...hmm.

My male coworkers have not seemed to suffer the aches, pains, back strains, that we women have...or maybe that's just been my experience. Maybe someone should do a study on this. I would bet it has something to do with men's greater upper body strength but I can't be sure. All in all, the physical demands of nursing are on par with many men-type jobs I'd wager. And they are possibly physically more up to the task.

As I think back over 25 years I think our risk of injury comes just as much from the rushed, hectic, demanding environment and constant state of tension nurses practice in. Add that to the unpredictable patient part of the quotient and it creates high injury potential. I was trained to take care of everything, wish I'd been trained how to take better care of myself. Hope our younger generation is receiving this info. There is way too many injuries to nurses out there, IMO, and it seems to get swept under the rug.

I am sure that you will do well. 51 isn't antique; but some of us feel a little older because we've done such physical work for so long.:rolleyes: If you are not in poor shape, have a good, keen mind, and good work ethics and practices, you should do very well.:D

As Mattsmom said, I've worked with several male nurses, and have never known one of them to be injured. For one thing, I think people respect the fact that they are male before they think about messing with them (as in a physical confrontation):o , and the fact of the extra upper body strength is a good asset, as well.:)

Take care of yourself, and good luck with your new career!;)

I am a 27 yr old RN diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 1.5 months ago (had it for a while, but just recently diagnosed). It is hard battling the pain and the fatigue. Recently started on some meds and feeling some better. Wondering if there is anyone else in this forum has fibromyalgia and what they do to cope. Thanks!!

Telepathic, I'm sorry to hear about your pain and fatigue. I honestly know very little about this "new age" diagnoses but would like to hear more; would you enlighten us as to the causes, symptoms and treatment? Hope your new meds continue to help!

Hi, Thanks for your reply!! I don't think they really know what causes it, some say it is viral, kinda like Epstein Barr. I had Mono in 1997 and started having symptoms shortly after that. I experience pain in certain "trigger" points all over my body, problems with sleep ( I was sleeping, but never feeling rested) and alot of fatigue. Maybe they will find a cure someday.

Well,I retired 2 1/2 years ago but, too much time with a retired husband pressed me into returning to a limited nursing career.Having lonago saying a hail farewell to hospital nursing, I spent 20 plus years in HOME Care.Too many years on call ( oncall 7 days aweek/24/hrs/day every other week for 5 years) , too many hours on back country roads at nite, and a slightly askew "Yankee" attitude after moving to the "South" caused the retirement.Now I'm doing private duty and hand picking those cases.Also starting to do physical exams for insurance policies.It provides money-alittle- for very little stress! The attitude has changed in nursing - and I don't know when it happened? Job stress is trickling down to the patients', the last ones we want to feel it, and the nurses don't seem to care. I want the doctors to give us more respect, and the big and small hospitals to pay us a living wage! No, I don't assist with brain surgery, but what everyone of us do is just as important------but not so profitable for the institutions. I want us to support each other, not to join the lions who chew up our spirits until, we are moved to change nursing fields.I haven't worked longer than 5 years for any one agency/hospital/agency------I just moved on rather than bang my head against a wall of indiference.There's always someone to replace you-----and become you within 2 years! Where are we? Now 56 years old and no longer wanting a "challenge"

Hi Lyn, your post tickled me so had to reply!:)

Some days even getting out of bed seems like a huge challenge...LOL!

I looked into those insurance physicals but they wanted me to drive all over he** and back for about minimum wage all figured. Is the pay any better if you work directly for an insurance company? (This was a third party called Portamedic)

The 'pick and choose' private duty doesn't sound like a bad idea...guess I'd just have to get 'very firm' with the agency when they push too hard...I just can't handle all the heavy lifting anymore and wouldn't want a full load of patients either. :(

I moved around a lot throughout my career too...got fed up with the politics and liked the variety of working at 10 or so critical care units in my area. Agency critical care was my niche overall cuz I never got bored and could stay out of the facility BS.

Thanks for giving me some food for thought! :>)

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