Is it to late

[momtojosh]

Hello all,

It's been a long time since I've been here. I am now an RN, since July 2014 to be exact. An older one at that, 54. So when I first started applying for jobs I really wanted med surge, had an interview and the hospital didn't hire me. , they hired a brand new nurse with no medical experience who's mother worked there for 30 years. I atleast had been an LPN for 8 years. Heart broken yes, a bit bitter yes. I did get offered a job at a psych facility, but the day I said yes was the day our local wound healing center called and offered me a job, i said no to psych and yes to wounds. Been there since my boards were passed, so first RN job. Busy place, days, weekends and holidays off. My delima...I still dream of being a med surge nurse. I want to do it all. Now I'm managing wounds and case managing 60-70 people, the other 2 full time rns do the same amount of case managing so it's a very busy place.

Am I to old to want 12 hour shifts? Should I give up a job with such hours that's wanted by many? I am very fortunate to have landed this job as it required 3 years of med surge experience.

I'm so torn.

[CalArmy]

You are only as old as you feel. 50's are the new 40's. Do what your heart tells you to do and follow your goal. Best of luck!!!

[Sour Lemon]

Hello all,

It's been a long time since I've been here. I am now an RN, since July 2014 to be exact. An older one at that, 54. So when I first started applying for jobs I really wanted med surge, had an interview and the hospital didn't hire me. , they hired a brand new nurse with no medical experience who's mother worked there for 30 years. I atleast had been an LPN for 8 years. Heart broken yes, a bit bitter yes. I did get offered a job at a psych facility, but the day I said yes was the day our local wound healing center called and offered me a job, i said no to psych and yes to wounds. Been there since my boards were passed, so first RN job. Busy place, days, weekends and holidays off. My delima...I still dream of being a med surge nurse. I want to do it all. Now I'm managing wounds and case managing 60-70 people, the other 2 full time rns do the same amount of case managing so it's a very busy place.

Am I to old to want 12 hour shifts? Should I give up a job with such hours that's wanted by many? I am very fortunate to have landed this job as it required 3 years of med surge experience.

I'm so torn.

I would be more worried about the heavy lifting in med/surg than the 12 hour shifts. I think it's actually the worst past of the job as we get a little higher in our years.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Never in a million years would I willingly work med/surg, unless I had to take the job to avoid immediate homelessness.

The heavy lifting, bedpan slinging, rude patients, rude visitors, constantly changing orders, constant admissions, steady discharges, and an increased emphasis on 'customer service' all make med/surg a hostile specialty these days.

You've got a good gig. Keep it. Hold onto it for dear life.