Am I Too "old" To Return To Hospital Nursing??help!

Nurses General Nursing

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:confused: I'VE BEEN A NURSE FOR 34 YEARS, WORKED IN CCU FOR 15 YEARS, HAD CHILDREN, RETURNED TO GET A BSN, NOW A STAFF DEVELOPER IN LTC WITH GERI-CERTIFICATION. LOVE TO TEACH, BUT I'M REALLY WANTING TO RETURN TO A HOSPITAL SETTING, PROBABLY ONCOLOGY. IT IS MY I'ST "LOVE" AND NOW THAT KIDS ARE OLDER I'M READY FOR A CHANGE...BUT DOI NEED TO DO A "REFRESHER" OR JUST TAKE THE CHALLENGE? I HAVE REMAINED CLINICALLY UPDATED, WITH CLINICAL SKILL BEING MY STRONGEST POINT. MY PROBLEM :WILL A HOSPITAL EVEN CONSIDER SOMEONE WHO IS OLDER AND BEEN AWAY FROM ACUTE CARE? ANYONE WHO HAS ANY THOUGHTS I'D APPRECIATE. MY PASSION IS STILL NURSING!
Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

:D Hey there ! I'm currently working as a hemodialysis tech at a small clinic..(about 30 pts.) and have been there 5 yrs. Intend to stay there for awhile yet because I really do love it (except for getting up at 0330) and am very attached to my patients. But am looking to work at a hospital nearby prn as well on their med/surge floor after I get my licence to use some other skills as well since we are so dialysis specific... limited in what we do there. There's much I want to learn and experience, and I'm not quitting til I fall over dead ! Heck, who can afford to retire these days, anyway !? :o Wonder if you can still nurse in a wheelchair? Heh, heh...

See ya, and good luck in persuing your dreams as well !

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You GO Girl!!!!!

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

jnette you can nurse in a wheelchair. Be in home health office, case manager or teach...........

renerian

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Absolutely ! And if it ever came to that, you BETCHA I would ! As for right now, I'm still doing cartwheels on the front lawn with my grown kids and doing my famous "frog-dive" off the highdive at the local pool, much to their embarrassment. Hee, hee... But this girl is not one to sit home in a rocking chair. Let me share a quote here from the attachment I'm about to fix to this for all you out there who wonder if you still have it..."you don't quit playing 'cuz you get old; you get old 'cuz you quit playing." That came from a little old lady in her 80's who went to college to get her degree (which she did) and then gave the commencement speech (attached). Read every word,and read it with your soul, not your eyes. This will even tug on the heartstrings of you spring chicks out there... it's a "must-read" ! Let's all appreciate each other and realize that we can all learn from one another regardless of age. Age is just a number; pay no attention to it !:D

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Hey ! Where did my attachment go ? I must not have done it right. :imbar Ok, ok; so I'm not as adept at computers as you "young'uns" are.... but guess what? I WILL be !!! :D

I'll try again... ok... I get it.. it's an invalid type of attachment so it won't upload to this site. That's really too bad. :o BUT ! If anyone's interested (and you all really SHOULD be !) I'll be happy to forward it to you, so just let me know, ok? You won't regret it and that's a PROMISE ! :balloons:

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GO FOR IT LIZ!!!!

I'm anxiously anticipating the arrival of a gal who is returning after 16 year's away from Nursing, to mentor for 3-4 months. I'm tickled pink to have this opportunity. I know from her comments that she's VERY nervous about her decision, but I intend to do everything in my power to give her the best experience and help her renew her confidence in herself.

I myself, went back to school to pursue a career in Nursing at the age of 30 (OK not OLD but... not a fresh outta high schooler either). I'm so glad I did this for myself... and you will be happy you've done it too.

Best of luck and feel free to PM me as a personal cheerleader!!!!

Peace

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YOUR SUPPORT HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO PERSUE MY RETURN TO HOSPITAL NURSING. DUE TO THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE I'VE FOUND THAT MOST MANAGERS ARE WILLING TO BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW FOR TIME AND REFRESHERS. THANKS AGAIN!

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Go for it !!! Liz, with the nurses shortage as it is, the hospitals will hire anybody who is 98.6 !!

Don't under estimate yourself....

You've got lotsa skills.

As one poster said, if the newbies can do it,,,, heck ,,,, look how far ahead you are !!

Why not keep us posted and let us hear it from your perspective?

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Come on back! I've never left I'm 66 & just celebrated 45 years in nursing. I manage an ED & I love every minute of every day (well maybe not every minute) but can't think of anything I'd rather do. Got my BSN at 57 & am working on a Masters.

Nursing has provided me with a wonderful lifestyle & the flexibility to do all the things I have ever wanted to do. Presently, that's leading & nurturing the newer generation of our profession, helping them realize that the most important person to the patient is the bedside nurse & fighting to get them what they need to do the job. My experience & maturity comes in handy on a daily basis. The younger staff members are great to me,including me in their get togethers & they're a lot more protective of me than I am of myself.

So come on back you're needed!

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

GolfingRN good for you! I am working on my masters and I am 45..........

renerian

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

hello and welcome. i have worked with nurses who are in their 60s and 70s. you are not too old. all the best to you.

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Whenever you think you're too old, read this amazing story. I suggest that you go for what you want to do. Age really IS a state of mind: don't let your state of mind get in the way of doing what you want to do ...

http://www.nightscribe.com/Medical/Doctor_denmark_102.htm

Jim Huffman, RN

http://www.NetworkforNurses.com

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