I am in my mid-40's and have 6 years of nursing experience which is mostly in acute care. I am thinking about my future a lot, especially my old-age, but would like to go into a specialty which I could grow old in. Knowing that I am not getting younger, and is fairly new to the field, I would like to make sure that the area I would be choosing is a best fit for me. Which area do you think is advisable for me to go into considering my age and the background I have? I am thinking of signing up for a continuing education opportunity either in ICU, Nephrology or High Acuity Nursing. What other factors do you think I should consider in choosing right? Thanks very much!
Dear Thinking About your Future,
It's wise to think ahead so it doesn't take you by surprise someday when you realize you want/need to do something other than bedside nursing. And at your young age, you have plenty of time to prepare :). You are well positioned, as your acute care background will make you eligible for many different roles that can take you into the later years of your career.
For now, pick the clinical specialty that appeals to you to work in, and pursue continuing education. You will gain valuable experience in any of the areas you mentioned. Then, start to envision where you see yourself down the road to establish your long-term goal. Leadership? Do you see yourself in more of an office setting? Working with patients? Orienting new nurses? Then look into the requirements for the job you want, and start to meet them. Network and find a mentor to guide you.
Here are just a few opportunities that can be great for nurses transitioning away from the bedside. Many provide Monday-Friday work hours:
Case Management
Nursing Leadership- influence nursing practice
Pre Admit Screening- meet with patients before surgery, patient education
Quality- meeting core measures
Regulatory- meeting regulatory requirements, helping with surveys
Staff Development- great if you enjoy teaching other nurses and nursing staff
Infection Prevention
Sales- work with a medical equipment vendor, travel, inservice clients
Informatics-where nursing practice meets computerized order entry
Coding- a friend of mine does this from a remote location- her home! It was a wonderful opportunity for her. She lives in a family-friendly town in Montana, with goats and chickens for the kids, and works for a hospital in California remotely! Just had to share that story.
There are so many opportunities for nurses, and new roles are being created all the time, such as Telephonic Nursing. I think most people have NO IDEA all of the different career paths that exist for nurses.
Another option is telephone triage nursing. This is currently the role I'm in for a large IM group. It's never something I imagined I'd do, but it's afforded me the opportunity to take care of some elective medical procedures I'd postponed. Also as I'm knocking on 40's door it's much easier on my body than running around the floor for a 12 hour shift straight!
Are you kidding? I'm going to be 40 in less than 2 weeks and I can run circles around people in their twenties. Twelve hour shifts? That's nothing. I get more off days. I'm trying to understand the difference in an 8 hour or twelve hour shift besides 4 hours. Four hours!! I guess since I've never worked any less than an 12 hour shift in my life it doesn't bother me. I worked 15, six and seven days a week when I was younger so 12 hours is awesome to me.
But knocking on 40 is what gets me. As long as you take care of yourself, turning 40 is nothing.
I'm trying to get a systems analyst position. I have a background in appeals, quality improvement and case management. I'm taking a SQL course and I'm going for my MBA with a concentration in enterprise resource planning. Is there anything else I can do to seem more appealing to hiring managers?
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
Are you kidding? I'm going to be 40 in less than 2 weeks and I can run circles around people in their twenties. Twelve hour shifts? That's nothing. I get more off days. I'm trying to understand the difference in an 8 hour or twelve hour shift besides 4 hours. Four hours!! I guess since I've never worked any less than an 12 hour shift in my life it doesn't bother me. I worked 15, six and seven days a week when I was younger so 12 hours is awesome to me.
But knocking on 40 is what gets me. As long as you take care of yourself, turning 40 is nothing.