Mature Nurses over 50

oncalllorraine · Dec 31, 2005

[color=mediumturquoise]:chair:

you sound like you have an interest,or desire to do hospice, and thats how it all starts out. just go with your gut feeling. thats the great thing about nursing-too many avenues to go do, so follow your heart and do the work, and if its not for you- you've still learned imense lesson. that being said, you probably would just love my job! i find it satisfying to be able to allow caregivers the confidence that they can make their loved one comfortable, and when in doubt, being their to support. it is very different from the hospital scene tho'...your pt/family are on their terrritory-not yours. so you do have to be flexible,and able to respect each family's own 'system'- many being dysfunctional, and many an inspiration. the majority of our pts. have very peacefull death.much more than i ever saw in hospital. plus familys come together, reach goals, and teach us about what matters each day---and only one day at a time, do any of us get. it can be humbling- the expression, 'death is the great equalizer' means you learn to no longer judge people by their 'wrapper'-color, religion, class, house,or money.

such a privledge- and familes are truly grateful for any help, relief, encouragement, and basically just 'presence'.

there is alot to learn tho'- whole nother story! they don't teach this stuff in nursing school.

happy new year!

spidermonkey · Dec 31, 2005

oncalllorraine · Dec 31, 2005

you must be very flexible,and skilled. i hope that will ward off my alzheimers by learning some new tricks. what was your favorite area?

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2005

50 y/o. One day a week Med/Surg/Telemtry Charge and PRN Home Health and loving Home Health.

spidermonkey · Jan 1, 2006

:uhoh21:

LadyJRN · Jan 11, 2006

Hi, I graduated as an ADN when I was in my early 40's. (43 I think) I am 59 now. I worked on med/surg, telemetry and specialized CHF floor, step down at the hospital and now I am a clinical manager in long term care. I manage 2 units; about 72 beds. I just love it!! I plan on working until I can't walk anymore! LOL

I sometimes miss working at the hospital, but my back can't take bedside care anymore. LTC is really great because I get to know the whole family, from the resident to the great grand kids. At the hospital the patients were in and out in just a few days.

Getting my RN was the best thing I ever did for myself. I went back to school when I still had 4 kids at home, but they were all in school. I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of my husband and kids. My husband was my cheerleader while I was in school. I had been a stay at home mom before becoming a nurse. My husband died unexpectedly 4 years after I became a RN. I don't know what I would have done without my education because I had to finish raising 4 kids.

Nursing has been very good to me. I just love the diversity in this profession. Never let age stop you from doing anything. It is just a number.

:)

carlyerrn · Jul 22, 2006

I'm 52 and work in the emergency department..I've been a nurse for 32 years and have just about had enough of it all.

scooterRN52 · Jul 23, 2006

I'm 52 and work in the emergency department..I've been a nurse for 32 years and have just about had enough of it all.

I am now 56 years old and have been nsg since 1989. I am on a stepdown unit in a specialty hospital, so I'm not only taking care of cancer surgical

patients, they also have a million other problems too. I have recently started supervising in the hospital on PRN nights 11-7a and it is not bad. It breaks up the monotony.ScooterRN52

HarryPotter · Jul 24, 2006

Hi Sue:

I am still here in Psychiatric Nursing at 64!!!

scooterRN52 · Apr 25, 2007

Hi,
I'm taking a poll......who is still in Nursing and 50 or over and what field are you in!!
Sue age 56 :chuckle

Hi Sue.

I am 57 and work on a very busy unit, it is surgical oncology step down. It is kind of like critical care and our nurse patient ratio is low, usually I nurse to 2-3 patients. It does get tiring, but I still work fulltime, 4 10hr.

shifts a week.:monkeydance: :monkeydance:

wiegel34 · Apr 25, 2007

I will be 64 this year, I "retired" 2 years ago, but still work per-deim, I am busier now than when I was working. I enjoy the option of saying no when I don't feel like working. I work in out-pateint departments where there is less chance of having to lift patients. I also get called in about once of twice a week to put in PICC lines which I really enjoy. Maybe in a couple of years I will "retire" again. But being a nurse is more that a job it is a calling. I am just not ready to give up caring for patients yet.

walk6miles · Apr 25, 2007

I will be 59 in December; have no plans to retire unless my body gives out! I love my job (right now in Chest Pain Center). I have worked nights 98% of my career and would not dream of changing.

:monkeydance: