New nurse-too old for bedside?

[Piper98, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hello, I am a recent ASN grad and recently passed  NCLEX. I  have started applying for jobs, and have my first interview for ICU/stepdown next  week. I eventually see myself  in a outpatient clinic or even a school (I used to work in a school clinic as an assistant), but my thought as a new grad is to get a year or two of bedside experience and then decide from there. This is a second career for me, my previous degree and career was in community health education.

But I am starting to have second thoughts about my plan, and would value any input from others. I am 46, and am wondering if I can really handle even a couple of years of bedside nursing? I just keep hearing how grueling and exhausting it is. I would consider myself adequately healthy for my age, but am still 46! My plan to do bedside for a couple of years is mainly to get that clinical experience and I also like the idea of working 3 days a week vs. full time days. But if I am too tired to enjoy the days off, does it even matter??

Any opinions are welcomed!! Thank you!

[rn771]

You are not too old whatsoever! You are only in your 40s! I have seen nurses in their 60's still working at the bedside. There are always positives and negatives in every job, look for the positives. If you have a good attitude and remain interested in always learning new things you will do great!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I graduated with my BSN a month before my 48th birthday. I have been working bedside for the last seven years and will stay at bedside until I retire. Age is just a number. There are fit  60 yr olds that can run circles around "fluffy" 30 yr olds. 

[nursel56]

I agree with the previous posters.  I've worked in outpatient, and ran my rear end off on any given day.  Best wishes to you!

[Piper98, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thank you all so much!! I appreciate the feedback!

[rn771]

I happened to come across this interesting article from AACN "Why I’m Staying at the Bedside"...

https://www.aacn.org/blog/why-im-staying-at-the-bedside

[Claralee]

Yep, definitely not too old. 

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'll be 63 in May and in my 30th year at the bedside, as a med-surg nurse no less.

I've seen nurses my age thrive, and others fall apart that can't be on their feet for 12 hours or have a bad back, who gain weight as the years go by and have to move on to other things.  No judgement but it's what I've seen.  

Just take care of yourself physically.  Stay in shape and take care of your back.  For all of those 30 years I've exercised, and for about 20 years have done lifting at the gym, including some back exercises and yoga for a strong back.  

Yes, the bedside in grueling and demanding and will take all you have.  But you can do it.

[rn771]

You are awesome!

[Monique Barber]

I work with an older nurse who uses a cane. You're not too old. 

[PurpleMonkey]

You’re definitely not too old to be a nurse, but you are old enough to make an honest assessment of whether or not the field of nursing is for you. I was going to be an older new nurse, around the same age, but for me there were many factors that contributed to my decision to not move forward with it. I won’t list them, but I’ll just say I want to do something that isn’t so rough physically and emotionally. If I were a tougher bird, I would have stuck it out, maybe, but I’m too soft and sensitive for it. Best of luck to you! You will be great!

[Akiva's]

I got my RN at 40. I went to a very busy , high acuity urgent care for about 3 years,  then went to ambulatory clinics (Ob/gyn and primary care). I do wish I had atleast 1 year inpt. Experience but that’s my preference, I didn’t need it.  
I don’t think 2 years inpatient  is necessary. Can you do 1 year? 
Good luck