where do old nurses go?

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I am 56 years old and have been a nurse for 34 years. My body is wearing out from all the wear and tear over the years of nursing. So my question what is there for us old nurses? How do we figure out something else to do where the money is decent? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Specializes in Lie detection.
this old nurse will be going to hell because of all the evil thoughts she thinks about the patients who drive her batty.

i'll be right there with you!!!:lol2:

i thought they went where elephants go

somewhere in africa where all the ivory tusks are

they are just as precious

what a beautiful thought and i adore elephants!

i am 48 and decided several years ago that education was the way to a better job, so i went back to school and have not regretted it. with a grad degree, you have more options that are intellectually challenging but not as physical as staff nursing. i to am one that plans to work until i'm 70.

i agree with education. i went back for my bsn and plan on going back this fall for my msn. i'm also thinking about possibly getting a phd in holistic medicine as well. i can take those classes online. there are so many opportunities open now because of the internet. see what your local universities offer online. check monster.com and other job search sites frequently as well. you never know what could pop up.

[color=#483d8b] i too will have to work until i'm 70 so i want to make it easy!

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Specializes in Geriatrics and emergency medicine.

Gosh,,,just turned 51, and have been thinking the same thing. One of my younger co workers told me that I was just a hip fracture away from her wiping my butt........not a pretty picture

My back hurts, my knees hurt, my everything at times hurts. Have been in LTC all my life and not sure what the next 15 years are gonna bring, kinda scary. Hoping someday that they are gonna show up on my doorstep with roses and champagne telling me I just won publishers sweepstakes. Yea,,,,,like THAT is gonna happen.

Or you can pull an Anna Nicole Smith,,and find some old geezer, give him a few good nights and hope his heart is stronger than yours and when he kicks off,,,,,,,,,,,,,wham you're set

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I work with nurses who are in their 70's! They are staff nurses who bring alot to the job of geriatrics in a LTC. It's NOT a slower paced job either, and it's sometimes heavy & stressful. But without them, I wouldn't be so calm, cool and collected. They've seen so much, experienced worse conditions, and I've learned not to sweat the small stuff. If they can do it (working 11-7) why can't you? I'm sure you could bring alot to the table.

Or with your experience, why not try the management end of it, ADON,DON, Supervisor? MDS Coordinator? MMQ nurse? Surveyor?

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

70 wow

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I know where one old Nurse went...

We had a Nursing Home/Assisted living Center in Tulsa where an elderly Nurse lived in the Assisted living wing and worked in the Nursing Home wing. She was an awesome person and could teach us all alot about patient care. She even wore here whites, cap, skirt, stockings, shoes, and even her pin from Nursing school.

Peace,

Tripps

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Obviously suni has never worked in the OR, or if so stayed behind a desk most of the time. Give me one good day in the OR and you'll WANT to go work on a M/S floor. Go to the forum for perioperative nursing and do a search for OR duties and see some of the answers. Unless this is an area where you have worked in for many years, such as I(30 yrs) the OR isn't exactlly a haven against hard, strenous, back-breaking, stay on your feet for hours, stay up for hours, etc, etc.................... Some of the other choices would be better but if the OR is in your heart go for it. I wouldn't work anywhere else in the hospital but the OR and this is where I will retire in about 7 to 15 years!

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I'm 56 and thought I'd be nursing forever. I've worked over 30 years in most areas of nursing, and the last 15 years or so I've been an ADON and a DON and loved it for the most part. The stress is killer in LTC, however. My body finally made the decision for me to leave nursing full time. I have a bad back from years of abuse and now I have COPD and am on oxygen.

I felt lost and useless after resigning in O5 and I'm now teaching CNAs at our local community college. There is no stopping a determined nurse! This fits right in with what I'm physically able to do and it fills me with a sense of pride to be a part of a program that I know sends good caregivers out to the community.

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I heard case management is excellent!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Two places...

old nurse heaven

the proverbial hospital in the sky, just beyond the pearly gates...where we are all respected, pt's never complain, co-workers are always friendly, and all you really have to do is sit behind the nursing desk with your feet propped up

or

old nurse hell

surrounded by a ring of fire and a picket line, where you have a 20 pt assignment with all 20 harveying at the same time, no supplies, no breaks, and no one is ever happy

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I retired from a hospital w/a pension plan. I get "basic bucks" from that, and work 2-3 12's in a smaller hospital, closer to home, smaller less acute (level 2) NICU. Less people, less politics, nicer people, nicer management... I'm very happy! And the $$ is very good, too.

I was 56 when I retired, started working again 9 months later. I've been doing the "new" job for 4 years. As long as I'm able, I'll keep working. Love those babies!!!

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Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

Muffie, I just love your words!

"i thought they went where elephants go

somewhere in africa where all the ivory tusks are

they are just as precious"

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

[banana] where do old nurses go?[/banana]

they come to my department ...central intake in a home care agency.

a. one rn worked 50 years as rn, retired 2 yr ago @ 72.

she has emeritus status and attends our christmas party yearly --along with being responsible for bringing the candy wreath that adorns our door.

b. next retiree is "seven years away from 80" per last birthday announcement. she works on fridays our busiest day and fills in prn; learned to use a computer at age 67 "if i can learn it anyone can".

c. third rn retired 1 1/2 yrs ago, works mon/tue ---she still processes more referrals and answers more phones than my staff in late 40's & 50's.

d. 18 yr manager (age 62) stepped down & transfered into my department last week "i'm going to the graveyard" she joked on joining us.

aee is only a number. it's what's inside your heart and mind that keeps you going....along with that burning desire to nurse.

ideas: [color=#84c34a]what can i do with this degree?

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