My life is so hopeless right now!

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I need to support my father financially and he is 81 years old, but there is no nursing jobs (R.N.) out there! I've cried a few times in the past 2 weeks and I'm so afraid that I might be ending up sleeping in the street with my father one day.

If not because of my father, I might have killed myself two weeks ago!

Jesus said " come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

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Specializes in med/surg, cardiology, advanced care.

Dear Lisa321,

Contact your county social services department, they can help you and your dad with food assistance at the very least and provide some resources to help you find employment. Sounds like you might be on your own w/your dad, if no family is there to help, reach out to friends/neighbors. If none are available call suicide prevention. No shame in that, we all need a helping hand at one time or another. Please don't give up.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I need to support my father financially and he is 81 years old, but there is no nursing jobs (R.N.) out there! I've cried a few times in the past 2 weeks and I'm so afraid that I might be ending up sleeping in the street with my father one day.

If not because of my father, I might have killed myself two weeks ago!

As someone that has lost a grandmother and a younger brother to suicide, and then most "associates" I have known to die was from suicide as well. Please please please remember that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation.

I completely understand what it's like to wage that mental war of life or death and weighing the pros and cons and it's a lot easier when you are in that situation to see the pros of death. But remember; it's not just you that is left behind. Sadly like I saw after my brothers death, he had no idea the depth of people he had impacted. I wish he would have known how many people cared about him and loved him and how many lives he touched. There is the cliche saying of "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" cliche as it is, it is very true. I am living proof of it.

Do not lose hope in yourself. Look at your father and get the motivation and determination you need to do what you need to do to get your guys in a better place. You have cried you have beat yourself up, now it's time to pick yourself up and dust yourself up and go out there and utilize your resources and stay determined.

You and your father will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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You sound so discouraged. I hope that you know that you have been heard and there are people who wish you well. Take care of yourself by seeking support.

Some suggestions: for information regarding Medicaid and Medicare, go to ssa.gov and use their site search for information about the two programs. For information about food stamps, now called SNAP, go to fns.usda.gov/snap/ and use the online screening tool to see if you would qualify. Depending on where you live, some states have online applications listed on the site. If you are worried about having shelter for your father, go to HUD.gov and look into the public housing for the elderly that is available. Do a google search for "human services" and your city's name, to see what local agencies and organizations offer assistance.

Navigating the system will be tedious and frustrating sometimes. You won't be the first person to feel that way, trust me. You won't know what's available unless you try, though. I wish you all the luck in the world.

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I'm so sorry for this situation you are in. I will pray for you. Look into state aid to help with your father. When you keep looking the right people will step in at the right time. Don't give up!

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I have been where you are and it does get better. Sometimes there are challenges in life that are so profound that we have to change who we are in order to overcome them. This is going to be a process, a journey; it will require patience and determination, but you will get to the other side of this abyss. You just have to have faith in yourself, and keep your eye on the goal, which is a better life for you and your father.

It will happen, probably in ways you hadn't expected, but sometimes in life things happen the way they are meant to happen and not the way we want or expect them to happen.

You have the emotional and intellectual resources to find your way to this site, now please use those resources to follow up on some of the advice here -- contact an agency that works with the elderly, I know there are organizations in my area that provide case workers to help families navigate the system and find good resources.

You might be able to find a senior resource guide in your library, you can try calling the United Way also. They have access to all the resources available in your area.

Also remember that this is about you and what you need, not just about your father. If you can take care of yourself and your own needs you first you will be better able to cope with the situation with your father. You need to be whole and strong first for yourself.

Just please be patient, one step at a time.:redpinkhe

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Specializes in Med/Surg, OT, Mgt.

dear lisa 321, first of all thank you for sharing your feelings with us, nursing community. this is a major step on the way to recovery :up:. i know the pressure become too much to handle and although i don't have much information about your situation but please allow me to try to help a colleague. as you know shortage of nurses is a global issue and you're a rn who is needed not only by your father but also by many people out there who are waiting for your help. what i suggest is you try again and again to find a job. i'm sure it's a matter of giving some effort. try to ask your family members, relatives, friends or your significant other to search with you. i also encourage you to read carefully all comments given by all members of "allnurses.com" who started standing by your side. lisa 321 you're not alone and i believe you came to the right place :yeah:. please let us hear from you soon to congratulate you on your new job. may god bless you and your father. keep in touch ;).

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.
Jesus said " come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

How exactly will Jesus help the OP? Will Jesus give the OP a job? Will Jesus take in the 81-year-old father?

Let me clarify: when I was out of work, broke, and deeply depressed, I got a lot of advice to "pray on it" and "Let go and let God" and "turn to Jesus". It didn't help.

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Please do not give up on life! Life sometimes throws us some very unpleasant curve balls and it's through these difficult times that we learn so much. For the time being (as other posters have suggested) you should research your county/state's provisions for those in need. Look up your local Department of Social Services there are benefits that you may qualify for until you get back on your feet. Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, cash assistance and some counties also help with utility bills such as electric, gas, water, etc. It's very possible that if some of these financial burdens were lifted you might feel better mentally. Stay strong, do some research, get some help and then find yourself an awesome job! You can do it!!! :)

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Specializes in Dialysis. OR, cardiac tell, homecare case managem.

to not a hat person poster, Jesus or God may not have been there for you because you didn't see them. if you are not a believer then you are not a believer, but not a reason to dscourage someone else. TO OP, STAY STRONG, BEING A CAREGIVER AND AN RN IS HARD BUT THERE IS HELP OUT THERE, I TOOK CARE OF MY MOM FOR 8 YEARS WITH ALZHEIMERS AND WORKED FUUL TIME, THERE ARE PROGRAMS AND PEOPLE WHO DO CARE AND YES CHURCHES AND GOD WERE THERE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE DON'T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT, YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS, YES PRAYERS DO GET ANSWERED.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.
How exactly will Jesus help the OP? Will Jesus give the OP a job? Will Jesus take in the 81-year-old father?

Let me clarify: when I was out of work, broke, and deeply depressed, I got a lot of advice to "pray on it" and "Let go and let God" and "turn to Jesus". It didn't help.

Some people do find a spiritual support system to help in times of need. Just because you do not doesnt mean others feel the same. :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

Lisa, I also agree with those that said call the office of aging. Im sorry this is a burden on you, but hang in there and explore all your options before giving up hope. Good Luck.

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