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.
I think the idea of Palliative Care is great. I work in a GI Lab which services outpatients and inpatients. I'm required to take BLS,ACLS, Dysrhythmia and conscious sedation certifications. I'm 57 and every single year I think I can't do this again. I stress over the studying. Obsess on the notes I take and ultimately pass with great scores. I think we all underestimate our potential. There are always several "youngsters" in my classes that fail. I believe the bottom line for success is determination, not age. That all being said, I am now also ready to work in another area of nursing. Worked many years of critical care prior to GI. I'm over it and looking for something that allows me to help make someones life better in another way. I think I have something to share with palliative and hospice patients. Perhaps you do too. As far as the requirements for Pre-op and PACU, I think it will vary on the institution. In my hospital they cross train so everyone has to have the same certifications. Perhaps an outpatient facility has different requirements. Good luck!
guest606416
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I think the idea of Palliative Care is great. I work in a GI Lab which services outpatients and inpatients. I'm required to take BLS,ACLS, Dysrhythmia and conscious sedation certifications. I'm 57 and every single year I think I can't do this again. I stress over the studying. Obsess on the notes I take and ultimately pass with great scores. I think we all underestimate our potential. There are always several "youngsters" in my classes that fail. I believe the bottom line for success is determination, not age. That all being said, I am now also ready to work in another area of nursing. Worked many years of critical care prior to GI. I'm over it and looking for something that allows me to help make someones life better in another way. I think I have something to share with palliative and hospice patients. Perhaps you do too. As far as the requirements for Pre-op and PACU, I think it will vary on the institution. In my hospital they cross train so everyone has to have the same certifications. Perhaps an outpatient facility has different requirements. Good luck!