Changing professions after age 50

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2016

Changing jobs after 50 is tough.

Not my personal experience, and a ways back at this point, but my dad lost his job in his late 50s because his company was moving to Mexico and he wasn't willing to go. He stayed unemployed for several years, finally moved multiple states away and lived by himself with his brother in Florida, who had connections and could get him a job, and was finally able to move back and land a job in the public school system making barely over minimum wage working with special needs kids that were often violent. He came home with a lot of bite marks.

It's a tough world for job seekers over 50. I'm hoping some people can bring more positive perspectives here for you.

Farawyn · Jan 27, 2016

What type of nursing do you do, jrwest?

Can you switch into another field within nursing?

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2016

cardiac step-down, but I feel nursing is too much like gambling, and I don't like to gamble.

Every shift I work feels like such a liability. I feel that is what nursing has turned into. We are getting more dumped on everyday.It's been made clear that This is the way things are going to be.

I 'd like a job that isn't such a gamble.

Farawyn · Jan 27, 2016

cardiac step-down, but I feel nursing is too much like gambling, and I don't like to gamble.
Every shift I work feels like such a liability. I feel that is what nursing has turned into. We are getting more dumped on everyday.It's been made clear that This is the way things are going to be.
I 'd like a job that isn't such a gamble.

Leaving nursing altogether at age 50 is a gamble, yes?

School nurse, HH, administration, case management, triage phone nurse, tele health, employee health, mother baby, gyn...

All easier on your back.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2016

Leaving nursing altogether at age 50 is a gamble, yes?
School nurse, HH, administration, case management, triage phone nurse, tele health, employee health, mother baby, gyn...
All easier on your back.

Haha - good point.

There's no openings in CM at this time, but someone suggested I try that.

Home health is too much liability. I've actually come to dislike working with any patients anymore.OR would be great , but I can't stand in one place that long I don't think. Plus I don't think I can take the rude obnoxious doctors who make my job a huge liability anymore.

All the other jobs except school nurse are part time- I'm the provider in the family. Unfortunately, I am the one who has to have full time and benefits.

I just would love to know what its like to have a job where you get a break, get a lunch,get out on time,and don't get treated like crap every single day.

Maybe that doesn't even exist.

Farawyn · Jan 27, 2016

Haha - good point.
There's no openings in CM at this time, but someone suggested I try that.
Home health is too much liability. I've actually come to dislike working with any patients anymore.OR would be great , but I can't stand in one place that long I don't think. Plus I don't think I can take the rude obnoxious doctors who make my job a huge liability anymore.
All the other jobs except school nurse are part time- I'm the provider in the family. Unfortunately, I am the one who has to have full time and benefits.
I just would love to know what its like to have a job where you get a break, get a lunch,get out on time,and don't get treated like crap every single day.
Maybe that doesn't even exist.

Sure it does. Not all the time, but yea.

You are working for the wrong people if this never happens for you.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2016

If you go back an get another degree you will be 55 by the time you enter into the new profession with no assurance you will be making the same wage. You best bet is to keep applying for non-direct care positions. One will come up and don't tell them you are tired of taking care of patients and are worried about liability. Tell them you are ready for a new and exciting challenge and you love to learn.

I know bedside nursing can drain you and the current trend in patient satisfaction and tying that to reimbursement has no place in nursing! In fact the patients and hospitals that have high patient satisfaction scores have higher mortality rates as many studies prove! It's a tough environment to work in now but I think you can be happy again if you do not give up the search for another position as I am certain your years of experience will make it easy to transition into a new role!

ED Nurse, RN · Jan 27, 2016

I'm confused by your continued use of liability in every post- how is this/that a liability?

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

I'm confused by your continued use of liability in every post- how is this/that a liability?

Because the whole job is a liability. Let's just say that I am put in a position of " liability" every shift. My coworkers feel the same way. It's quite a deep issue, and tptb have pretty much said- too bad , that's the way its going to be.

ok I'll give an example. I might have 2 cath lab pts who I hope dont bleed out, because Im too busy babysitting the confused old person who wont stay pu and is getting up literally every 30 seconds. Or said old confused person is one of the cath lab pts, and we'd rather not have them walk around with that art line in their groin, while the other 4 pts , 2 of which are on drips get ignored.

The uap can only do so much, since they are toileting the rest of the floor who are all 2 assists and bed alarms.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

I guess school might still be an option- I still have to work 20 more years anyhow.Im sure other old adults have had to go back to school at this age.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

Haha - good point.
There's no openings in CM at this time, but someone suggested I try that.
Home health is too much liability. I've actually come to dislike working with any patients anymore.OR would be great , but I can't stand in one place that long I don't think. Plus I don't think I can take the rude obnoxious doctors who make my job a huge liability anymore.
All the other jobs except school nurse are part time- I'm the provider in the family. Unfortunately, I am the one who has to have full time and benefits.
I just would love to know what its like to have a job where you get a break, get a lunch,get out on time,and don't get treated like crap every single day.
Maybe that doesn't even exist.

It does exist. Start by researching on AN and think outside the box a little. You are saying there are no CM openings at your facility... many places to do CM. Insurance companies both big and small are begging for nurses to perform disease management , utilization management , catastrophic care management.. etc.