Anybody else worried about MSN being right decision?

athena55, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2009

Hello Mahage!

Well, speaking for the "old fart club" I am starting my second attempt to obtaining my FNP (was attending Stony Brook University but September 11th happened and I dropped out....)

I became an Commissioned Officer in the Army Reserves Nurse Corp at the ripe "young" age of 50, and decided to go Active Duty when I was thisclose to 53.

While I was TDY at Fort Lewis/Madigan Army Medical Center (taking the extremely challenging and difficult Army critical care nurse course) I met a Nurse who became a Commissioned Officer in the Army Nurse Corp at the age of 54! Went to Officers Basic Course at the age of 55 and is working as a NP in Pain Management and she is 70 years young!!! :bow:

Darlin' Age is just a number, but I am in no way minimizing how you feel now. I think your goal is "do-able". As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent".

Listen to your heart.

athena

Mahage, LPN · Jan 1, 2009

I rarely feel inferior, but I like to feel superior, LOL! Seriously, I did find that I was so used to being considered super knowledgable as a LCSW and then as a student that it was a rude awakening to find myself on the bottom of the learning curve. I had just never thought through that part. Now I know academically I can compete with anybody, but nursing in the real world and academia are far apart. I am impressed with your military service. I have thought about signing up for the Tennessee Emergency response program. That may be something I do someday. I thought there was a limit like 36 for officers in military at joining. Glad to know there isn't.

Thanks, mahage

scadams29 · Jan 3, 2009

Thank you for such an inspiring story. I'm going through the same thing and I am a little younger. I am thinking of giving myself a year as a new RN and returning for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with a focus in oncology. Thank you so much for being such an excellent role model. I know that it can be done. Kudos to you!!! :rcgtku:

Bidwillty · Jan 10, 2009

It is so possible, I am 38 and still work full time and go to grad school full time and teach undergrad clinicals, u would be amazed at how time flies, before you know it you will be done. Good Luck, and remeber age is just a number.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I admire your persistance. It is good to think ahead about how you might feel and be able to do as we age. But I would keep on going. It's better to wear out than to rust out anyway. And what happens if you live to be 100. After all haven't you heard. 50 is the new 30.

Keep learning and you never know what doors will open for you. I didn't even graduate from nursing school till I was 48.

You already have an impresive education that will serve you well, and just keep on going.

Good luck with all

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I would be difficult to work as bedside nurse in your 60's. Have you not worked before? I am asking since you have not completed your Medicare quarters. Also if you have worked in a state job, many nurses who I have worked from the state found working in the private sector a culture shock. Any ways best of luck, there are many older students who do well.

Mahage, LPN · Jan 10, 2009

I would be difficult to work as bedside nurse in your 60's. Have you not worked before? I am asking since you have not completed your Medicare quarters. Also if you have worked in a state job, many nurses who I have worked from the state found working in the private sector a culture shock. Any ways best of luck, there are many older students who do well.

I have been working as a nurse on a very busy Intermediate Care Unit for a year now. We are mostly trauma and vents with a spattering of other issues requiring monitored bed thrown in. I am very tired by the end of shift now that I have gained some weight. I am working on loosing it, but it is a lot easier to gain than loose quickly. I am not physically as strong as most working on my unit, other than the older nurses. I am talking older than me. They make up for it however in experience which I don't have. I do feel that I am better than average in many ways, but I find stuff I don't have a clue about, every day. This is one of the things I love about nursing, there is always something to lear. I have worked as a Social Worker for many years and before that in factories and restaurants, so my Medicare quaters aren't a problem. I have worked both private and government jobs. Our hospital is a county hospital, level 1 trauma center and a teaching hospital. We are disporportionate share hospital and I have no idea whether working as a nurse or NP in the private sector would be an improvement or not, LOL! I have previous experience in Mental Health, and jobs there were much more "cushy" than public Mental Health jobs.

I really think the floor duty would be over taxing at 65. I love it now, but I am physically worn out by the last day of 3. If you don't have too tough a patient load it is not nearly as tireing, but my facility doesn't divide the work load by acuity level. I had 3 pts this past cycle, all 3 were trachs, 1 vent, 2 trach masks, 1 required suctioning hourly to every 2 hours. 2 had accucheks q 4 hours. The vent pt weighed almost 350 lbs, was elderly, confused, had diarrhea and could not assist in turning himself and was on contact isolation. All three had tube feeds at the start of the week, but one was able to pass her swallow study, have her DHT removed and eat and trach changed to Number 6 with ability to speak. First of the week 1 was in restraints and last day a different one was in restraints. I fortunately had a good tech, but it took 4 of us to clean up the big guy on the vent who had diarrhea.

Nursing can be hard hard work, but I still look forward to it! But reality is reality. I just hope I can be a really good nurse, by the time I graduate NP school. :wshgrt: Part of it is an ego thing.

Thanks for your input,

Mahage