Mature Nurses over 50

P_RN, ADN, RN · Oct 10, 2004

I'm sixty. While I still have an active license I've been medically retired since I was 55. I worked my tush off in ortho right up until I blew out my back.

wiegel34 · Oct 10, 2004

I also blew my back working on a inpatient Rehab unit, now I can't lift, so the only place I can work is outpatient Chemotherapy unit. After surgery I tried to go back to Rehab, but blew another disk, another surgery, finally learned my lesson--no more

lifting pateints. I have only 5 more months, then I retire, can't wait. Nursing is for young nurses.

nurse wannabe · Nov 10, 2004

Posting here because I value all of the experience on this page! I'm new to this forum, 42 and looking to switch to a nursing career. I want to do something productive and worthwhile, and I love people. Question: should I go for LPN first, get a job in the field, then continue for RN or just go for the ADN/RN from the start?

scooterRN52 · Nov 10, 2004

hi Kat,

The answer to your question, depends on you, but in this day and age, I would go directly for an ADN/RN or if you can a BSN/RN. I would not waste time on the LPN

program, reason is: most hospitals only hire RN's, so you would be limited in finding positions, and would probably end up in a nursing home practicing long term care.

With an ADN you could easily work as a staff nurse in the hospital on any unit, the BSN gives more options to you in the way of management, or working outside in pharmaceutical, or insurance companies, or a clinical manager in a hospital. What I recommend is that you say to yourself: Do I want to have these options as I get older, so I don;t have to work as hard physically? You can start with an ADN and always go back for your BSN if you want. Both ADN and BSN take same state board test and are issued the same license by the state. Whatever you decide, good luck to you, nursing is a profession where you will always get work and you won't get layed off. Don't forget they really need clinical nurses for the hospital and nursing homes.

nurse wannabe · Nov 11, 2004

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. It looks like I will be going for the ADN, which will at least get me into the field. Once I have a feel for what type of nursing I enjoy, I will seriously consider continuing toward the BSN. That was great advice - hope I can do it. I'm excited, and a little scared, but ready to take this on!!

scooterRN52 · Nov 11, 2004

wishing you all the best in reaching your goal to become an RN. You'll be fine, just stay focused and determined!

scooterRN52

angel · Nov 16, 2004

50 & lovin' it!!!!!

Continue nursing in ambulatory care...no nights, weekends & gov't holidays off...its great & :balloons: enjoy the patients too; lots of education

scooterRN52 · Nov 17, 2004

50 & lovin' it!!!!!
Continue nursing in ambulatory care...no nights, weekends & gov't holidays off...its great & :balloons: enjoy the patients too; lots of education

No nights and weeked and holidays off sound nice! Night shift is getting very hard to do, I'm 54 and still working 7pm- 7am 3 days a week. I will probably change to day shift in a year or so. Like I said in one of my posts

before, I go to the gym, so I can continue to do my job.

scooterRN52 :coollook:

blinks · Jan 8, 2005

Hi,
I'm envious, you live by the water, just where I would love to be!
Im not from your state, but I came across the message boards one day, and the subject was nurses over 50 years old. I've ended up talking to some really nice nurses.
I will work 12s until I retire, as I like the extra days off, don't you?
You are lucky to have found a mate in the same profession, I'm divorced and will probably remain so, at this point We do need more males in nursing, it would make for some positive cultural changes in the profession.
scooterRN52

I am a 54 year old male RN (will be 55 in July). I spent the first half of my 20 year career in med/surg & oncology and the second 10 years in LTC. To be honest, I am finally getting tired of working with women. Too old for the drama, I guess. Maybe being in management magnifies that issue. I am thinking 7 more years full time then maybe half-time after that. Depends on how the market treats my 401K. I came to this board to get some ideas for semi-retired work opportunities.

blinks · Jan 8, 2005

56 in July and still cute !!! :rotfl:
New RN as of a year and a half ago.... Hemodilaysis for past seven years. :)

and how cute is that?

CarolineRn · Jan 9, 2005

The nurses I work with who are over 50, are my favorite nurses to work with. I don't know what happens when we get there (Still have a little over a decade til then) but I've noticed that the nurses over 50 are a lot calmer, and seem much more secure in themselves than many of us younger ones. I do think someone hit the nail on the head when they said that those who are still nursing at 50 and beyond (and also the ones who decide to go back to school!) probably really love nursing, and maybe that has something to do with the better attitude-- just speculating here, because I am aware that there are some nurses of all ages who are miserable no matter what, but the ones I work with who are over 50, are really my favorites to work with.

CarolineRn · Jan 9, 2005

I am a 54 year old male RN (will be 55 in July). I spent the first half of my 20 year career in med/surg & oncology and the second 10 years in LTC. To be honest, I am finally getting tired of working with women. Too old for the drama, I guess. Maybe being in management magnifies that issue. I am thinking 7 more years full time then maybe half-time after that. Depends on how the market treats my 401K. I came to this board to get some ideas for semi-retired work opportunities.

Blinks, LOL at the drama!! I can relate, and I'm a woman! Sometimes I want to tell some of my co-workers, "I hope you don't choke on that hairball, you catty thing!"