Dont know if I can do this at 49!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been in Dialysis for 17 years. I hospice for 2. Low pt census and a bear of an administrator. Want to transfer to hospital.

Friends said I would like PACU. Applied. They want to interview me but I now realize that I will need to take ACLS, PALS, Pharmacology Exam and dysrhythmia course. I don't know at 49 if I can pass all this. And I have cold feet. And it's stressing me out! I can't fail now.

This is my my career. And I will also have to get my current supervisor to sign a transfer from to interview. Which will put a target my back.

Should I just withdraw the application? How do I do that nicely. I want to get to a job I can retire doing. My goal it to get to pre op day surgery, which has the same requirements but might be less stressful. I have also applied for that too. Maybe I should do some self study and re apply?

Dear Don't Know if I Can Do This,

If you decide not to take the classes and certs, have you thought about looking for an opportunity in Pre-Op Screening? It is a controlled environment and you are not required to have ACLS, PALs, etc.

Another option is Palliative Care. With your hospice skills, you could be a great Palliative Care nurse.

Pre-op (your goal) may be less stressful acuity-wise than PACU, but it can be very busy with a different kind of stress. A lot of hustle. Like you said, you will still need ACLS, PALS, and dysrhythmia for Pre-op.

I think that if you approach the classes one at a time, you can do it. Being 49 does not mean you've lost your ability to study :), as a lot of people here on site will tell you.

As far as withdrawing an application, it is not a big deal, and happens all the time. No one thinks the worse of you.

Good luck, and you're wise to time to plan the next phase of your career.

Keep us posted,

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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I have to tell you I'm 58 years old going after my RN in Nursing. I've been out of school for many years, but if anything it is great to motivate the brain from being stagnate for so many years. What is really rewarding when you take a exam and kick most of the younger generations butts with scores in the 90's. I am a male, and I am old, so I have two strikes against me but your peers should watch what they say and think because one day I will be your boss!!! So my advice to you is GitRdone. Your only as old as you feel, trust me on this.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

At age 52 and 21 years out of nursing school I became nationally certified in a relatively new specialty. Yes, you can young'n.

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Specializes in Preop/PACU, IM, Orthopaedics, Med Surg.

I say...go for it! That brain of yours is still totally capable! I know you will look back and not regret it. And, if you are working with someone that is willing to back you and help you with your classes, it's a win-win! I LOVE preop/PACU and am sure you will, too! Good luck!

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Would you say being old is a strike against me?

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Does MIL mean "mother in law" she sounds like a busy woman I love it ! What does your husband do?

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That is great, I'm looking for a mentor that I can lean on bend a ear and so forth any ideas? I live in Pueblo, Colorado

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Well I'm off to night class thank you for talking with me!

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I worked in a same day surgery admit /discharge dept for 9 months and left I am 45 yr old. I'm not sure if it's like this everywere but it was a numbers game the more patients we pushed through the better off we were. We had 30 minutes with each patient to admit them. No exceptions. I was slower than the others by 15 minutes. It was held against me. I just couldn't cut it and left for another position with a different company. I felt they were herded through like cattle. I had maybe 5 minutes to educate the patient was all. I didn't have a problem with the ACLS or PALS. Also most places in this area the last shift of the day started at 7am and worked until all the patients were gone some times it was 6-7 pm, and we worked 5 days a week on average I worked 50-60hr per week. This is not a position that is slower I would shadow the busiest scheduled day in the dept before you make a decision

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Thank you I was getting discouraged at age 47 I am almost done with my prequals. Then I can apply for the Nursing program Its my passion. What you have written has inspired me more. God bless you on your road to becoming an excellent nurse. As I will try to do the same. Future reference my favorite nurses have been my male nurses.

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Hey BRIGHTEYES,

Don't get discouraged I had a practicum tonight the teacher secretly let me know I was the high scorer of the class with a 98. The old guy at 58 years old kicked some young booty tonight, sorry I get a little excited because I never had the chance to go to college and I am loving it. So at 47 keep plugging along your doing great and I'm sure you will make a wonderful Nurse!!! And if you don't believe me I will tell you again.

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Hello, Skyjokey

I pray all is well. Sorry for the delay in my response. Thank you so much. I am returning to school for winter classes and take it from there. I Had a bit of a set back. However, I know this is for me. I have never given up and my gives thrives on mami's ambition. Thank you again.

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