Nurses over 50 &/or with health issues affecting work

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 7, 2002

I am 46 years old, soon to be 47. Objectively, I look 10 to 15 years younger than my chronological age. People are very suprised when they learn just how "old" I am (LOL). I have noticed in my intensive care unit that there is a significant division between the "older" and "younger" nurses. (A very large percentage of our nurses in the unit are NEW GRADS... the subject of another topic.) I try very hard to relate to both groups. It is more than age difference, I find it is a cultural difference, generation gap issues. The younger folks have been brought up in an entirely different world than we "older" folks knew, with vastly different belief systems and morals. Regardless of the age differences, it is vitally important that we all work together as a team. In terms of keeping up, it is STRESSFUL (physically, emotionally, mentally) for ANYONE who works in our unit, regardless of age. I take tons of supplements just to feel on top. I go to work with my "skates on," ready to run all 12 hours, if need be. Don't know how long I can keep up with this pace, don't even think about it much, so far I'm OKAY. There are many forty-something nurses on our unit (including the assistant nurse manager), but NO fifty-something nurses. Don't know why. Turnover is terrible in our unit anyway. Rarely does someone stay longer than 3 years. There is a smaller hospital in my home town (in which I work parttime) that is much more older-nurse friendly. This smaller hospital has great nurse-patient ratios, offers 8 hour and 12 hour shifts, is a non-profit institution versus profit institution (this would make an interesting subject for another discussion thread), and has LOTS of older nurses at the bedside (some are close to 70 years in age!). I have decided if life gets too brutal in the "fast lane" (my present unit), I will switch to the smaller, more nurse-friendly facility .

PhantomRN · Jan 7, 2002

I feel bad for all of you who are unable to work secondary to your injuries and management inflexibility.

I have worked on 3 different floors in my hospital. Of he RNs that work there was only 1 that was 60 +, the rest are 35-40 years old and below. So, consequently I am nervous about myself, I am old in nursing years.

This is what all of us nurses have to look forward to as we age. I think the young people dont realize that this will affect them as well.

live4today, RN · Jan 8, 2002

Thanks for your responses to my own comments above. When we were young, we didn't think about "our turn" of being over fifty, but now that we are it's a whole new experience. We are NOT dead, we are very much alive and kicking, with plenty to offer this world. I wish I had the money to build a hospital and selectively hire all over forty year olds to work in it, giving them the best benefits and pay anyone ever could ask for.

I've been investigating ways I could still use my nursing degree, but I will miss the bedside care. I'm looking into Parish Nursing. It's not a paid profession as yet, at least not in most places I've researched. I would love a "paid position" as a parish nurse once I finish the course.

What other ways can we use our nursing careers to gain employment? Any thoughts on this?

nightingale, RN · Jan 8, 2002

Oh how I wish I could do that now... I think.. that would be heaven (lol) for me.

I worked in a program for my senior work (while completing my RN to BSN) that worked with the senior population at the senior center (it was run by a nurse through the college of nursing). It was funded via a grant. Check into Grant Funds. It is my guess, with the right research and an excellent grant writer, something might be possible for a modest income....

Renee and my other comrades almost or @ 50 something.... I went today to have my chin hairs done with electrolysis! lol... I often remember those darling little ol ladies with their whiskas and I always cringe when I seen my own inevitable signs f aging!

I may be aging... but I am gonna fight it every step of the way!

B.

live4today, RN · Jan 8, 2002

Hello Nightinggale,

I found a lot of different quotes by entering the words "find famous quotes" in the search engine block of my ISP space.

Also, for finding information on parish nursing, here is the information for that:

The International Parish Nurse Resource Center

205 W. Touhy, Suite 124

Park Ridge, IL 60068

1(800) 556-5368

email: [email protected]

For the website, click on advocatehealthcare.com or advocatehealth.com

As for aging, Nightinggale, our bodies will turn "south", but our minds keep pointing "north" as we press on to reach our "higher calling".

RNPD · Jan 8, 2002

To Renee, I would have no problem agreeing that I could lift a patient myself if the "situation called for it". What I wouldn't bother to mention at an interview is that the situation could NEVER exist that called for me to lift a patient by myself-for either the safety of the patient or my own safety.

As far as the topic-I qualify for both! I still do bedside nursing and am able to do a good job if I pace myself. This means working per diem and never 2 days in a row, and no OT. Even so, I am not sure that I can do this for many more years. I do see the end of the road in sight and I know I will miss nursing when it comes. Depending on my life situation, I may look for an office job, or just retire outright. We'll see when the day comes. I just hope I'm smart enough to recognize the day when it happens, and strong enough to say "this is it".!

live4today, RN · Jan 8, 2002

Thanks RNPD for your comments. I will keep them in mind IF I go on any other interviews.

If it hadn't been for my right shoulder injury almost five years ago, I would still be working as an agency nurse or hospital per diem nurse. I loved working that way versus staff nursing as it accomodated my family schedule quite well. Now that my kids are grown and with families of their own, I wish I could just work two days per week in nursing, and return to school for a different degree. I have very fond memories of when I worked in nursing, but reading about how nursing has become today, I'm not so sure about it anymore. If I stay in nursing, I will probably pursue public health education or parish nursing. I use to be a clinical instructor for CNA students and loved doing that, so time will tell what I will end up doing.

LadyNASDAQ · Jan 9, 2002

Originally posted by Karen4HIM1951
I'm sure I'm not the first (or the last) nurse to deal with this issue - I've been a Nurse for over 27 years and now I find myself having trouble "keeping up".(( Due to age? Weight? Arthritis? effect of an AA (sustained while working) and other reasons)).

I think it would be great to be able to talk to others about how they are handling things or what they have done in the past (for those who have retired or found alternative means of remaining in Nursing that are easier for them.

Feel free to email me or respond on this buletain board!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel your pain and I have lived it, too.

I was in a horrible car accident in 1994. I had a very bad atelectasis to my left lung and had a crushed comminuted right wrist that what my surgeon told me would have 10% function. On top of that, I developed a condition called R.S.D. which is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of my right hand , fingers and spread up the entire right arm. My index and middle finger were damaged at the knuckle where they suffered diagonal fractures ad were pinned back together.

Yes, together with Epstein-Barr that was discovered I was quite a mess.

I was lucky to have a private disability policy which was paying a whopping $1400/month. I was lucky. I went to live with my Mom who was grateful I lived through this car wreck which happened on the way to work .

Even though Iwas not at fault, the car accident settlement was chincy and I lost 6 months of pay and almost lost 2 arms and my life.

After 6 months of painful rehab, I finally went to work with my surgeon beging me to go to social security and apply.

Can you believe this? I wanted to work. I was so desperate to work because that was normalcy.

I know that this is going to sound very peculiar but I really urge you to fight back if you can. Talk with your Doctor. We can not lose you. We are in a heck of a Nursing shortage. If it's a weight thing, there is help in message boards, in places like Weight Watchers.

For me, the answer was to go agency. After that, Iwent for the Travel thing. That's my best loved job yet and you know what? I am not tired like I was in my other job. In fact, I'm happy and so very energetic. It depends upon you. You may want to teach but leaving the profession is not the way to go. You have too much experience and you owe it to yourself to spred the words of wisdom that you have.

live4today, RN · Jan 9, 2002

Hello Lady NASDAQ,

What an inspiration you are! You sound like such an amazing person, and no doubt you ARE a mighty fine nurse, too! I feel so inspired and encouraged by you and the others. Thanks for your words of wisdom, and thanks for sharing your painful story with me and others so that we might be inspired by you. We truly need one another's support in this field of nursing, let alone life as a whole. Again, thank you. Pray your New Year be filled with blessings abundantly! :)

"What does not destroy me makes me stronger." --Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

LadyNASDAQ · Jan 9, 2002

I am one who has a very strong love for this profession and feel strongly that every Nurse wants to be in this for the time that they want to and not have it cut short.

I also fought my way back and have a renewed understanding of the patients I take care of from the other side of the siderails but hey, I don't want any Nurse to experience what I have.

I do want to say that there is fear, there is anger and there is a bargaining feeling that is overwhelming when one encounters something so horrible as this car accident. It has helped me realize that though I love being a Nurse, I also know that I am very important to me. I left a job 6 years after this all happened because I thought that I was unemployable (can you believe it?) and now that I am doing what I love to do, everything is so wonderful. I love my job, I love the idea that I can leave and go elsewhere because when you are a Travel Nurse you can go to all 50 States. I also feel that when I am 50 years old, I will be traveling all over the Country enjoying my life, enjoying everything that is out there. For right now, this job nearby at home suits me and being able to work still feels good.

Karen4HIM1951 · Jan 10, 2002

HI

LadyN - Don't worry - I am fighting! There are a number of paths I'm checking out! New development - was just diagnosed two days ago with Chronic Fatique (EpsteinBarr PLUS S & S Positive).

My options that I can see (and all will need a bit of research, talking with other professionals and with my family) are:

-taking a medical leave

-parish nursing

-a new nursing position in a womans clinic that will be developed

soon

-checking with a former coworker who has now opened an agency

and explain my situation and see if he can come up with

something

-going to PRN and pacing myself more

Will keep you posted - EVERYONE KEEP ME POSTED TOO!!!!!

:cool:

CATHYW · Jan 11, 2002

Occupational Health has been the answer for me. I have problems with an ankle and a knee, and will have to go "bionic" one of these days.

My background was ER, Occ Health, ER, (where I was injured but did not pursue financial compensation), cardiac cath lab, and now 2 years back in Occ Med.

The days/hours are good, there is not nearly so much standing and walking, and you don't have to lift patients.

Good luck!