Is there nursing after 50?

BETSRN · Jan 11, 2005

I understand exactly what you're saying. I'll be 51 this yr. & as I look back on my life, oh sure, I've been able to support my family, but what has happened to my life? I think we feel this more in nursing that most other careers because we've worked all shifts, numerous overtime hrs., weekends,
holidays, & I've always wked in area where we have to take call. I'm very burnt out. When younger people ask me about a career in nursing I do all I can to steer them away from it. With the increase in RN shortage you'd think they could come up with better retention programs, but what's there to look forward to when after 25 yrs. you're still taking call, etc. I wk for excellent hospital & love the people I wk with, like the type of pt. care I do, but really wish I had picked a different pathway in my career.

I find it very sad that you would steer young people away from nursing! Just because you are burned out is no reason to put the squash on an entire profession. There are a heck of a lot of us out here who are NOT burned out. Your career (like your life) is what YOU make it! if you are that dissatisfied with nursing then get OUT and let those of us who like it carry on and for God's sake let young people make their own decisions.

Malt123 · Jan 11, 2005

If you were fired, you need to look at why......... Telling you your age was the issue was just to get off the subject. I would take a good hard look at your work wthic and why they fired you. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, you would be fired for no reason. Sorry to be blunt here, but that's my take.

I was railroaded. Maybe trying to take care of pts. is wrong, maybe something else was going on that I wasn't aware of. why would my supervisor give me a good reference after I was gone? forgetting to chart VS on a pt is not a good reason for terminating someone. Yes I was told that I was too old, on seperate occassions. your attitude is why they get away with it. regarding my work ethics: many days I stayed late to get charting done and like everyone else it was off the clock. there is nothing wrong with my work ethics. Believe me I have looked at myself and what I come up with was that I should have left there before. But I was afraid of leaving the residents. If you read some of my posts you will find that I mentioned the other nurses noticing what they were doing to me and even asked me why. no this was not just a termination for no reason, but that reason wasn't because of me. I couldn't tell you how many times I was called into the office and told that I said things that were said either by a supervisor or another nurse. This DON protected her supervisors and that was all she cared about. There is something very strange about this whole affair. And I agree with you you don't work for over a year, get a good eval and then get fired. Just maybe I was being forced to go work for an agency. Who knows what their true motives were. That is why I didn't go running to EEOC and just tried to find a new job. You need to come out of that shell your living in, there is so much going on in the nursing profession that is borderline legal. and they know what will happen to a nurse if they just present the right picture. The only reason I posted on here is because I needed feed back your reaction is very typical.

dknunges · Jan 11, 2005

Does being 50+ mean I have to quit nursing and go into poverty for the rest of my life or am I supossed to kill myself?

Wow, I hope there life in nursing after age 50, as I am almost there and feel I have several more good years to contribute to the profession. I would look into following up on the reason you were let go since you were told you were TO OLD!

Malt123 · Jan 11, 2005

Wow, I hope there life in nursing after age 50, as I am almost there and feel I have several more good years to contribute to the profession. I would look into following up on the reason you were let go since you were told you were TO OLD!

They didn't tell me I was fired because I was too old, they told me I was fired for poor job performance but that changed after the fact. Well what it all boils done to is they got rid of me for what ever reason and I am sure there is more to it than poor job preformance or even my age. There was a lot going on in that place.

Claver · Jan 11, 2005

Hi Malti23,

You sound very defeated and downspirited, but do not become overwhelmed by these feelings. There are other areas in nursing that are just as satisfying as clinical nursing. I have just given up home care nursing after five years and have swithched to Developmental disabilities nursing. I am on call 24-7 but I hardly get any calls. As mentioned before you can do chart reviewing, or auditing or best of all try to put all of your experience together and offer an inservice or continuing education program, that is what I am working on right now. All of our nursing lives do not have to be in a hospital or nursing home. Case management, telephone triage, are other areas that can be explored. Failing all of this relocating is also a choice. Remember that in nursing the same things that affect other workers will also affect us. We are not special. So be prepared to make changes.

rn/writer, RN · Jan 12, 2005

Hello again, Malt123,

Have you had any job interviews since you got fired? If so, do you bring up your bad experience? How do you talk about it?

You have to be honest but there are many ways to speak of a difficult or unfair termination and some are better than others. Be very careful of sounding bitter or paranoid when looking for a new job. An interview, even a preliminary one, is not the place to vent. There are tactful ways to say that all was not well when you left without sounding accusatory or complaining.

I don't want to add to your stress but you sound more bitter than angry. One of the distinctions between the two is that anger wants a remedy whereas bitterness wants revenge. Straight anger is like a wound. Given time and healthy conditions, it will heal. Bitterness is like a bug that gets into the wound. It prevents healing and, under certain circumstances, can infect the entire organism.

Bad things happen to good people. Sometimes we contribute to the mess, sometimes it's someone else's pile of doo-doo entirely. But whether or not it's personal, you still have a life to live. Let go of the old stuff and determine to make your life better. If you can't, it might be time to get some help.

Instead of listing your limitations and obstacles, tell us a couple of things that are still good about your life. What are some things you could do to move forward again? Could you barter your services for the use of a car or other needs? I don't mean to sound simplistic but you have to start somewhere and sometimes baby steps are all you can manage.

You probably have more power than you think you do.

Kind regards,

Miranda F.

Malt123 · Jan 12, 2005

Hello again, Malt123,
Have you had any job interviews since you got fired? If so, do you bring up your bad experience? How do you talk about it?
You have to be honest but there are many ways to speak of a difficult or unfair termination and some are better than others. Be very careful of sounding bitter or paranoid when looking for a new job. An interview, even a preliminary one, is not the place to vent. There are tactful ways to say that all was not well when you left without sounding accusatory or complaining.
I don't want to add to your stress but you sound more bitter than angry. One of the distinctions between the two is that anger wants a remedy whereas bitterness wants revenge. Straight anger is like a wound. Given time and healthy conditions, it will heal. Bitterness is like a bug that gets into the wound. It prevents healing and, under certain circumstances, can infect the entire organism.
Bad things happen to good people. Sometimes we contribute to the mess, sometimes it's someone else's pile of doo-doo entirely. But whether or not it's personal, you still have a life to live. Let go of the old stuff and determine to make your life better. If you can't, it might be time to get some help.
Instead of listing your limitations and obstacles, tell us a couple of things that are still good about your life. What are some things you could do to move forward again? Could you barter your services for the use of a car or other needs? I don't mean to sound simplistic but you have to start somewhere and sometimes baby steps are all you can manage.
You probably have more power than you think you do.
Kind regards,
Miranda F.

If I sound bitter it's because this is being appealed, can't heal when you are forced to sit in front of a judge and listen to how they have manipulated everything and the judge doesn't really understand nursing politics. I do get a chance to say something at the next hearing. I am going through this alone. I can't afford a lawyer. my whole life depends on the outcome of this hearing. Besides it was bad enough to have to go through that abuse once and now to have to experience it all over again is a little much. yes I have had interviews since and I probably am having trouble with explaining this to a new employer. Since I have no other references from this state it does make it difficult. the only way that I would want revenge is if I lost my license over this petty stuff. Right now I would like to come out of this stronger and ready for a bigger challenge. I also would like the state to examine that place closer and I will do whatever I need to so that it gets taken care of.

boulergirl, CNA · Jan 13, 2005

Nursing after 50? I should think so. :coollook: One of my residents is 68 and says he's looking into nursing school. He can still drive, conduct Mass at the local Catholic church, and feels like he has more to offer, and plenty of life left ahead of him. I said "go for it".

Malt123 · Jan 14, 2005

Hello again, Malt123,
Have you had any job interviews since you got fired? If so, do you bring up your bad experience? How do you talk about it?
You have to be honest but there are many ways to speak of a difficult or unfair termination and some are better than others. Be very careful of sounding bitter or paranoid when looking for a new job. An interview, even a preliminary one, is not the place to vent. There are tactful ways to say that all was not well when you left without sounding accusatory or complaining.
I don't want to add to your stress but you sound more bitter than angry. One of the distinctions between the two is that anger wants a remedy whereas bitterness wants revenge. Straight anger is like a wound. Given time and healthy conditions, it will heal. Bitterness is like a bug that gets into the wound. It prevents healing and, under certain circumstances, can infect the entire organism.
Bad things happen to good people. Sometimes we contribute to the mess, sometimes it's someone else's pile of doo-doo entirely. But whether or not it's personal, you still have a life to live. Let go of the old stuff and determine to make your life better. If you can't, it might be time to get some help.
Instead of listing your limitations and obstacles, tell us a couple of things that are still good about your life. What are some things you could do to move forward again? Could you barter your services for the use of a car or other needs? I don't mean to sound simplistic but you have to start somewhere and sometimes baby steps are all you can manage.
You probably have more power than you think you do.
Kind regards,
Miranda F.

Well I got through the hearing today and hope its over. At least I got to say something in my defense and just maybe the DON will realize just how dangerous working there was. I actually felt that maybe some one would realize just how they railroaded me. Something good came of this I have decided to follow my dream and teach, and there is something that I can even do a coorifice on, something that I got an A in when I was in college. Well thanks again for your feed back it was all helpfull.

WolfenspiritRN · Jan 14, 2005

sorry if I gave the wrong impression and no I haven't had back surgery. I have been burnt real bad by a facility after working for over a year for them. everyone at the place saw and even commented on it one other nurse asked me "Why are they doing this to you?" I felt like I was being attacked on a daily basis. I know I have never done anything that would desreve this type of treatment. It was like getting pushed into a pit of snakes and they kept biting and you can't get away.

I can identify with this. I was just terminated from a job I loved because of 3 pt complaints within 1.5 years. I am 55 years old and I am not old. At 5am, when everyone else is dragging, I am just getting my second wind. I am the one still smiling when day shift comes on at 0645. Of course I only have the two big furbabies to take care of when I get home ( and I had to drive 30 mins to get there) and they don't have to go to school or be picked up from night care, etc. I have never felt my age was a detriment, as the 50's are not what they used to be. I am healthy, don't take any meds, never used my insurance, and only missed two days of work last year (had the flu). My co-workers think I am the nicest to patients. Have never seen me be anything but patient and I have a great smile. I choose to see people as I wish to be seen and treat them accordingly. My NM doesn't understand that there are those who have huge chips on their shoulders and nothing you can do will make them happy. It never occurs to her that people lie and will say anything and without proof, it is their word against yours. I can't prove what I said or didn't say. But people I work with observe and see and yet, their opinions do not count. It is all about the pt's perception and if they perceive me wrongly then I must be doing something wrong. I was actually told this yesterday during my termination process. I admit I have a strong personality, and people do tend to remember me. I was told that may be part of the problem. Each of these 3 complaints came from difficult situations that I felt I handled in the best way possible. And my peers agreed. But not the NM. So I have two choices.....appeal and hope that I can be re-instated or start all over again, and find another place that I feel at home in. Either way, I will survive and take with me the good and leave the bad. One door closes and another one is waiting to be opened.

mattsmom81 · Jan 14, 2005

I think that this is the exact reason "Is there nursing after 50?" why I am going into nursing instead of radiography. Nursing is so diverse and there are so many options, and bedside is not the only option. For a while I had considered radiography, but it is such a physical job and you are more limited than in nursing. If for some reason I injured myself as a rad tech, I could probably find myself totally disabled and not able to get back into the field. JMHO.

Kris

Had to respond to this, please don't take offense personally cuz none is intended.

Yes there are other options than the bedside in nursing, and there probably is less opportunity for advancement as a rad tech (altho you could train to US, CT, MRI which would be interesting) Jobs away from the nursing bedside are highly competitive and the higher degrees are preferred in most cases.

If you think nursing is not a highly physical job you are mistaken.The repetitive wear and tear and stress takes its toll. I had my first serious back injury 7 yrs into nursing. I was told it had 'healed' healed, but 3 yrs later I reinjured and needed surgery. The hospital where I got hurt fought me tooth and nail and I still have PTSD from the experience.

I have known injured nurses to look for jobs in case management, for example, and not be able to get it because CM is STILL a nurses' job description... they must be able to lift 100 #. Believe me, injured nurses are NOT coddled nor are they cared for in toooo many cases...we are seen as a liability to the facility first and foremost.

Just a little insight to this profession. Forewarned is forearmed. if I had to do it over again I would do rad tech and go to MRI and US personally.... but do what you will.

I also warn young nurses to plan for their escape when we age...cuz after 20 yrs at the bedside we feel it. If things don't go perfectly we can find ourselves in Malt's position..out of work and few workable options. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a hospital fire an older single female with no thought to how she will survive. They are eliminating expensive high risk, high priced insurance users... that is how they see it. One cannot count on any caring out there for the caregivers.

To those who say I'm jaded, and disregard my words, well, I've lived too long and seen this happen to many many good coworkers... so feel free to ignore me at your own risk.

Those of you who have started your career late and still feel good ..more power to you. But everyone I know at my age (50) who has done this job for 25 yrs feels it and has the battle scars to prove it (if they admit it).

Malt123 · Jan 14, 2005

Had to respond to this, please don't take offense personally cuz none is intended.
Yes there are other options than the bedside in nursing, and there probably is less opportunity for advancement as a rad tech (altho you could train to US, CT, MRI which would be interesting) Jobs away from the nursing bedside are highly competitive and the higher degrees are preferred in most cases.
If you think nursing is not a highly physical job you are mistaken.The repetitive wear and tear and stress takes its toll. I had my first serious back injury 7 yrs into nursing. I was told it had 'healed' healed, but 3 yrs later I reinjured and needed surgery. The hospital where I got hurt fought me tooth and nail and I still have PTSD from the experience.
I have known injured nurses to look for jobs in case management, for example, and not be able to get it because CM is STILL a nurses' job description... they must be able to lift 100 #. Believe me, injured nurses are NOT coddled nor are they cared for in toooo many cases...we are seen as a liability to the facility first and foremost.
Just a little insight to this profession. Forewarned is forearmed. if I had to do it over again I would do rad tech and go to MRI and US personally.... but do what you will.
I also warn young nurses to plan for their escape when we age...cuz after 20 yrs at the bedside we feel it. If things don't go perfectly we can find ourselves in Malt's position..out of work and few workable options. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a hospital fire an older single female with no thought to how she will survive. They are eliminating expensive high risk, high priced insurance users... that is how they see it. One cannot count on any caring out there for the caregivers.
To those who say I'm jaded, and disregard my words, well, I've lived too long and seen this happen to many many good coworkers... so feel free to ignore me at your own risk.
Those of you who have started your career late and still feel good ..more power to you. But everyone I know at my age (50) who has done this job for 25 yrs feels it and has the battle scars to prove it (if they admit it).

Maybe it's time to start doing something about this. any one with me on this?