Nurses over 50 &/or with health issues affecting work

Kyshine1 · Jan 23, 2002

Reading these posts are good for all of us. It makes us realize we are not alone and lets face it....Misery loves company!!!

I have been a nurse for more years than I can count. mainly ICU and then NICU. I went to NICU because my back was starting to bother my in my forties. I spent 15 years there. Now I'm 58 and had surgery on my back 2 years ago. It's a lot better but I can't stand over those isolettes anymore!

But I am one of the lucky ones. I could go part time and they fit me into a desk job three days a week. It's been my salvation.

Of course I had moved up on the Clinical ladder, but couldn't stay not working at the bedside, so my salary went down $10/hr!

I'll always miss taking care of those babies, I truly loved it but I had no choice. There is one nurse in our unit who has been there more years that I was. She is very overweight and she can't bend her knees!!! She is still working full time because she has no choice. Every time I see her I pray for her a little harder.

There should be some alternatives for nurses or maybe we

should just tell all our young nurses they better save a lot of their

money.

Good luck to all you old girls!!

From one of you...........Linda;)

CATHYW · Jan 23, 2002

Those suggestions were some that I wish someone had made to me (would I have listened?) several years ago. :rolleyes:

Tincture of time, and the grace of God have changed me, a lot. there is a timeworn saying, "let go, and let God." If we were to quit being so sure that we knew what was right for us and allowed ourselves to do what God wills us to, we would be much better off!:)

Take care, and keep your good attitude.

Karen4HIM1951 · Jan 24, 2002

How true and how WISE!

That is what I'm trying to do on a daily basis!!! It sure isn't easy (allowing God to take control and guide you) but it is the only way to get where you're suppossed to be!

Hope others realiize this too - It is ashamed that alot of us come to this realization after we're - lets say - "mature" - and not when we're younger, could have prevented many a heartache!!!!

Yours in HIS service:

WriteStuff · Jan 24, 2002

:rolleyes:

Just got home from work. It's nice to visit the site and find positive support from peers I've never actually met face to face.

Although I'm rapidly approaching 58, and "retirement" looks like a freight train coming down the track at cyber-speed in my direction, I have the confidence that my NEEDS will be met when that time arrives.

And what exactly is it that I "need?" Shelter, food, and some clothes on my back in the material sense of the word. I already have the most important "needs" and they are the things that all this world's $$$$$$$ could never buy:

1. God.

2. My children (four) -who all love me.

3. A handful of very precious friends who have been

there for me through think and thin.

4. Self-respect

5. Integrity

6. Honesty

7. A passion for writing.

8. 58 years of some very happy and wonderful memories.

I am truly blessed.

Bonnie

Jenny P · Jan 24, 2002

I've put off reading this thread due to fear- yes, I fit into this catagory too: I'm 54, a bedside nurse for 33 years, and falling apart in parts of my body also. I've got a bad hip (trochanter bursitis, sciatica and S-I joint disfunction). BUT I love my job and look forward to being there when I'm scheduled to work.

My CV-ICU unit is unique; out of a staff of about 70 nurses, we have around 20 males, about 25 of us are ages 50-63, and we have people who have been there for 20-35 years! We also have a fairly large group of young nurses! We loose around 5-7 young people to anesthesia school each year, so we do have new people coming each year. (Okay, we also have 1 or 2 newbie-eaters; but the rest of us try to keep the newbies out of their reach:o ). So we aren't perfect:rolleyes: But my point is that there are many older nurses who are still at the bedside IF we are staffed properly and not expected to do the work of 2 or 3 people. Our unit is staffed on acuity, and that makes all of the difference in how long we can stay at the bedside.

live4today, RN · Jan 24, 2002

I couldn't agree with you more, Writestuff! You listed all of my most 'wealthy' assets! Nothing in my life is more important than my family, close friends, and a close relationship with God (and not necessarily in that order)

It's almost seven in the morning here. Hubby left for work, had my early morning prayer, tried to go back to sleep but couldn't so I got up, brushed teeth and gargled, refilled my water pitcher for the 1/2 gallon of water I try to get in me each day, turned on the t.v. to watch the news, got up to see about the dog, had a dear friend on my mind for two weeks so thought I'd send her an e-greeting, so now here I am reading my email and responding to the important things.

Now that you all have heard about my day thus far, thank you for listening to me rattle on about the start of my day today (as if you have a choice, right). :rolleyes: Thank you all for being here! It's nice to come to this site and feel embraced.

My prayer today for each of you is that your day will be filled with God's Peace and Love in abundance! :) And I too thank God for blessing me with 50 years of life, and allowing me to reach "maturity" in wisdom, with still a long way to go without EVER arriving at the point of learning in life that I would hope for. We NEVER are too big or too old to learn and gain, then share that which we learn and gain with others we are privileged to cross paths with. :)

oramar · Jan 25, 2002

You make the point very well, they can keep us old timers around if they want to, just takes a little effort. I think there is a tradition in hospitals to always move on to new blood, it is burning them bad now. If they wanted to adapt the work enviroment to older workers they could have enough nurses to give them the 5 years they need to really gear up the educational system. It is amazing how little has been done along these lines.

Lorniki · Jan 31, 2002

Originally posted by LadyNASDAQ

I feel your pain and I have lived it, too.

I was in a horrible car accident in 1994. I had a very bad atelectasis to my left lung and had a crushed comminuted right wrist that what my surgeon told me would have 10% function. On top of that, I developed a condition called R.S.D. which is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of my right hand , fingers and spread up the entire right arm. My index and middle finger were damaged at the knuckle where they suffered diagonal fractures ad were pinned back together.

Yes, together with Epstein-Barr that was discovered I was quite a mess.

I was lucky to have a private disability policy which was paying a whopping $1400/month. I was lucky. I went to live with my Mom who was grateful I lived through this car wreck which happened on the way to work .

Even though Iwas not at fault, the car accident settlement was chincy and I lost 6 months of pay and almost lost 2 arms and my life.

After 6 months of painful rehab, I finally went to work with my surgeon beging me to go to social security and apply.

Can you believe this? I wanted to work. I was so desperate to work because that was normalcy.

I know that this is going to sound very peculiar but I really urge you to fight back if you can. Talk with your Doctor. We can not lose you. We are in a heck of a Nursing shortage. If it's a weight thing, there is help in message boards, in places like Weight Watchers.

For me, the answer was to go agency. After that, Iwent for the Travel thing. That's my best loved job yet and you know what? I am not tired like I was in my other job. In fact, I'm happy and so very energetic. It depends upon you. You may want to teach but leaving the profession is not the way to go. You have too much experience and you owe it to yourself to spred the words of wisdom that you have.

Lorniki · Jan 31, 2002

I am 60 - but doing utilization review. Gave up bedpans at age 50 --- not because of age ---- but because of Dept of Nursing support and the type of nurses they were graduating. Staffing was terrible --- I went home crying most nights because my 12 hours (in a 8 hr shift) wasn't enough. Most days, if I was lucky, it was me and a "rent a Nurse". At age 50 I was given "Nurse of the Year award --- the first one given at our hospital ----- I cashed it in for UR. Do I miss nursing? no. Do I miss the patients and the satisfaction that you might have made a difference ---- YES!!!!!! But what I saw on the ward with the younger nurses made me sick ----one actually asked a patient "if she thought this was a hotel?" that was when the patient asked for a blanket and fresh water. Lord help me when I am sick, as I know there won't be anyone caring out there for me.

Karen4HIM1951 · Jan 31, 2002

I don't think anyone has given up - just looking for suitable alternatives!!!

Me - If Parish Nursing isn't where the Lord wants me to be - then I will work in HH still - but part-time and work around my Good Days - I think that just by getting out of the full-time Case Manager roll - my stress level - ie health - will improve!!

Lorniki: I know just what you mean! And these young nurses think we don't know a thing!! I was a patient not too long ago in the hospital for surgery - BOY has the care changed!!! I tend to agree with others who have posted on this site - It really is Administration that is behind this - they haven't found a way to manage the health care financial problems while maintaining staffing adequate to meet the patients needs!!!!

I had a foot of my intestines removed (this was back in 1998) and was in the hospital 6 days - NOT ONCE was I offered a back rub (we were taught in Nrsg school that back rubs are an essential part of HS care) - and I was lucky to have my water pitcher filled up daily!!! I couldn't tell you how may water pitchers I filled and how manyu back rubs I gave over the years before the DRG's

hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

live4today, RN · Jan 31, 2002

Ditto Lorniki an KAREN4HIM,

I totally agree with you both on the comments in your post.

The seasoned nurses are full of a vast amount of knowledge, experience, and years of managing nursing issues, yet here we are...given the boot by those who are aging gracefully right along with us. :rolleyes: Now, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black!

Should we throw in the towel? Not on our life! At fifty, I haven't even begun to show what good stuff I'm made of, and neither should any other nurse our age. We are in the 'prime' of our lives! It aint over 'til it's over!

The world is your playground. Why aren't you playing?" -- ELLIE KATZ

RNKitty · Feb 1, 2002

Okay, here I am, this new young nurse in her 20's with 5 years of experience. I was beginning to get my hackles up at the generalizations regarding the young new nurses.

Then Karen4HIM1951 wrote: "had a foot of my intestines removed (this was back in 1998) and was in the hospital 6 days - NOT ONCE was I offered a back rub (we were taught in Nrsg school that back rubs are an essential part of HS care) - and I was lucky to have my water pitcher filled up daily!!!"

Made me think. Ya know, back rubs WEREN't emphasized in nursing school. Our instructors cared more about quizzing us on pathophysiology, pharmacology, and critical assessments. I think also that nursing itself has changed since the older generation graduated. Consequently, the older nurses had time to develop the people skills. The technical skills gradually were updated as technology updated. I don't feel the schools adequately prepare new grads for the world of nursing, but maybe some of you felt that way when you graduated.

Anyway, be kind to the new blood and I'll promise to give you a backrub.:)