Old Dog, New Tricks

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Wrongway Regional Medical Center (WRMC) has a reputation for having a high staff turnover. Recently there has been a mass exodus of staff, including a lot of RNs.

I work Psych and my wife Belinda works Med-Surge. Belinda recently noted that there were openings in Psych and Medical in our hometown at Anomaly Memorial Hospital (AMH), so we both applied. Belinda was told at her first interview that she was "a Godsend" and they couldn't wait to show me to the exit.

Belinda got and accepted the position, and I was depressed for about a half an hour when informed that the Psych position went to another candidate. I was extremely happy for Belinda, believing she will be working at a real hospital where her skills can be appreciated. She will take a slight cut in pay, but will have better benefits and a shorter commute. I was happy for myself, as I would have had had to take nearly a $10 an hour cut in pay at AMH.

I was also happy because I am generally comfortable working at WRMC. As much as AMH is a real hospital, WRMC is, in Belinda's term, a grunge hospital. I feel a certain amount of comfort in dealing with the nonsense and chaos, I feel like an eagle in a flock of turkeys.

However, if I went to AMH, I believe would feel like the turkey in a convocation of eagles and I'd have to learn new "stuff". So I'm kind of content in being a complacent stick-in-the-mud.

So- how about you old dogs- or COBs: Have you, in your golden years, began a new position in a different facility, or had to learn new tricks?

Did your transition go smoothly? Or were you like an old dog learning new tricks, where you could learn new tricks, it just took a longer amount of time than when you were younger?

I am considering a refresher course too. How certain are you that it will get you back in? I am in the same boat as you in that I left due to disability in 2011. I slowly lost my ability to walk and was terminated from an excellent job. Since then I've had extensive surgical correction and can walk for miles now but I don't know about being on foot 12+ hrs. I really want to get back in but have doubts and fear. I have little doubt I can get hired in LTC but I'm afraid of getting stuck there. Please let us know how it goes for you.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Well, like learning to walk again, it's baby steps at first, and then one foot in front of the other. Taking a refresher course and then pursuing job opportunities, a little at a time, is progress.

I admire and appreciate all you've been through with and recovery, jehilliard, and desire to get back into the workplace and contribute. Your actions says a lot about who you are: A Person of determination who perseveres.

I can identify with you, in that I too had to relearn to walk after being in traction for 6 weeks and in a wheelchair for 3 months back in '76.

Belinda had an ORIF of her R ankle a year ago last summer, and she too could not work three 12 hour shifts a week. So, for several months, she put in 24 hours a week. With her new position at AMH, she's confident that she can do the 36 hours a week again.

LTC is a lot of work, so perhaps you can start off at part time. Having worked LTC a couple of times, I had no problem going back to other area of Nursing, so don't be too concerned about getting stuck there.

Fact is, consider working in Psych Nursing- Generally speaking, there's less time on your feet than a lot of areas of Nursing, and your history of persevering through your own trials and tribulations could be an example to others.

I wish you the very best, jehilliard!

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
"My baby hasn't pooped all day ... Should I take him/her to the ER?!?".

Ummm, yes. I mean NO!!!

This sounds like a job for...

ADVENTURE RN!

What is your nursing super power?

Mine is making babies poop.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Davey - you answered so many posters with cool cartoons - I feel sad and left out! :(

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Davey - you answered so many posters with cool cartoons - I feel sad and left out! :(

I'll make a deal with you, hppgr8ful-

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because I'm an Old Dog and I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I can balance a biscuit on my nose while standing on my left foot and rubbing my tummy with my right hand.

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Okay, then- actually Belinda rubbed her tummy with her left hand because she needed to use her right hand to take the tests!

Specializes in Emergency Department.

DaveyDo, your cartoons have had me ROLLING!!!! You truly have a fantastic wit and a great way to express it.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

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I think I might take the cake here. I graduated in 1985, worked 7 years in NICU/PICU and then the children came...

After 23 years at home, in my mid-50s I pulled together the courage to take a refresher course and get back into nursing which was always my identity even though I abandoned it for so long.

I was thrilled when I got a job on my first interview, working on a rehab floor. I will say it's the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm an old dog out in the water doggy paddling...but I'm determined to make get myself past this phase as soon as possible. My new co-workers are awesome people to be so patient and kind with me.

If I can do it, anyone can do it!

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I'm an old dog out in the water doggy paddling...but I'm determined to make get myself past this phase as soon as possible.

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