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.
