Is there a place for slower nurses?

subee, MSN, CRNA · Oct 7, 2023

Brownelfin said:

Are there any other nurses out there whom feel overwhelmed like me?

I am 53 years old and came late to nursing - I got my ADN at age 48 - and I'm at the stage of life where I have to write things down or I'll forget them. I'm starting to think that I'm not capable of working as a bedside nurse.

Since graduation I've struggled to find a job where I can keep up the pace required to succeed. I've tried working at a SNF, home health nursing, short term rehab and I'm currently working in med-surge at a small rural hospital - at every one I've struggled to keep up with the pace of the workload. My fellow nurses seem to move at the speed of light (at least it feels like that to me), caring for 5-6 med surge patients and dealing with complications that arise seamlessly, able to dig into patient's charts to provide an excellent hand-off and head straight out the door afterward. In comparison, I'm often struggling to get my documentation done by the end of my 8-hour day shift, and if I have a complication like a death or a heavy/difficult admission I'm sunk and will have to stay past the end of my shift to finish. No matter how hard I work I can only manage to do what's necessary during my shift; I don't have time to dig into patient charts for what took place in the shifts before mine (for example, a medication that was discontinued.) Oncoming nurses will often ask me questions during hand-off that I can't answer, and it makes me feel inferior for not knowing. Often I will notify a provider of an issue or a CNA of a patient need but when it's time for hand-off I haven't yet been able to follow up and make sure it was resolved. I feel like I'm chasing my tail all day long. Am I alone in this? I'm not lazy; I work hard and rarely stop moving. I don't spend time chatting and socializing with my coworkers. My mind processes information a little slower than some, I read slowly and I get scattered when I'm interrupted, but I am a caring and thorough nurse practicing safely. I want to be a great nurse, but it seems my best just isn't good enough. Is there a job with a slower pace? Is there a place for me in nursing? If anyone has shared this experience, I would love to hear from you.

Try the night shift if you enjoy med-surg. It's quieter with less distractions.

Brownelfin, ADN · Oct 8, 2023

subee said:

Try the night shift if you enjoy med-surg. It's quieter with less distractions.

Thanks, subee, that is good advice - I wish it worked for me. I worked nights for a while, and it was certainly more my speed, but my body couldn't manage the varying sleep schedule; I was miserable and sick all the time.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2023

What did you do before nursing? 53 is not the stage of life to have to write things down. I realize all nursing gets very busy , and a brain sheet may be required. Have you discussed your memory problems with your PCP?

Private duty could work.

Best wishes

WanderingWilder, ASN · Oct 9, 2023

What about doctor office nursing? You won't make as much as hospital nursing but its usually Mon to Fri, no weekends or holidays 8 hour days.

Leann · Oct 9, 2023

I'm 53 and feel the exact same way...im going to try something in management

PandaEllie · Oct 9, 2023

I worked as a CNA in Hospice/Palliative Care for 11 yrs before becoming an RN. Have you considered this avenue? It's much slower paced, you're seeing only one patient at a time, the documentation is extensive but all fields of nursing is that way. However, you're seeing people in their homes one on one. You're providing emotional support, while they're on their final journey. It's truly a privilege to care these patients and it was wonderful job. Hospice/Palliative care is completely different than bedside, SNF, LTC, Rehab or home health nursing, in my opinion. The mindset is different. When I'm ready to slow down, that is the route I plan to go. Just food for thought! I hope you find what fits you best.

AlabamaHospiceNurse · Oct 9, 2023

I have been a nurse for five years and I too started a bit late. I graduated with my associates degree in nursing when I was almost 30. I knew from my experience in clinicals that the hospital setting was not for me. I started out in a SNF. I worked there for a little over a year before taking a job as a case manager in hospice. Hospice nursing is different from any other specialty that I've seen. It goes against everything we were taught. When I was in school, they did not really teach us what hospice nursing was truly like and there were no clinicals offered for hospice. Hospice nursing is not for everyone, but so is any other nursing specialty. For example, I could not do L&D. Those nurses are Rockstars! As far as Hospice goes, I quickly found that it was my true calling. I cannot put into words how rewarding it is to be a hospice nurse and how thankful I am to be able to be there for my patients and their families and help guide them through their transition because everyone deserves a good death. If you are looking for a specialty that is a different pace and looks different from the hospital setting, I would encourage you to try hospice nursing. You may find that it is your true calling too!

Logans Mom · Oct 10, 2023

At the end of my career I felt this way. I found my home in PACU at a small community hospital the last 6 years. I never felt overwhelmed at all. One (sometimes 2, usually 1) patient for 30-60 minutes. Keep their oxygen stats up, watch for bleeding, control pain, etc. I highly recommend it.

GMunny · Oct 10, 2023

I am 54 and work a hybrid schedule for Veterans Affairs. Remote from home 3 days a week and on-site 2 days. It is not as fast paced as bedside. Before this, I worked at an outpatient clinic which was not too busy. The best part of working remote is that you have all of your notes sitting on your desk so that you may refer to them if you cannot remember something. You seem like you enjoy caring for people, but your weakness is time management. This will come with practice. Also, working with a supportive team helps tremendously. Hang in there. I hope this helps.

Kitiger, RN · Oct 11, 2023

Have you tried private duty nursing, homecare? I work through an agency, and I do a full or partial shift in one home, usually a 6-, 10-, or 12-hour shift. I can choose how long of a shift to accept. And I don't jump from one client to another. I have been with my current client for about 10 years, although I did alternate with a second client at first. (I've been doing private duty since about 1985.)

Time management was my biggest problem back when I did hospital work. I was easily distracted, going from one problem to the next, barely getting my work done and feeling like I wasn't able to give truly good care.

Agency work doesn't pay as well, but it pays enough. And I enjoy my job.

COVID19rn · Oct 11, 2023

I am also 53 and new to nursing. (2019 ADN, 2021 BSN). Also a very planned out timeline that you follow and revert to throughout the day helps.
at our age, hydration and very nutritious food make a big difference. Slow and prudent is OK. Focused on individual patient needs is valuable but makes one feel a little overstretched at times.
for me, Sleep, hydration, and strict timeline as well as getting to work early are the most help.
agencies like Maxim have good shorter shift RN jobs, but pay is a little lower. I love bedside so I understand you wanting to stay. Try to streamline your routine and make sure you team up with CNAs. It's easier to assess while doing linen changes, feeding and BR chores together.