Older Nurse no BSN needs advice

[Jon C RN 2024]

I am a nurse with 25 years of critical care experience in a level 1 trauma center in the DMV. I have worked in the trauma center, CCU, CVICU and ran an in house transport program until 2020 when I got Covid. I missed 5 weeks of work and struggled with some long haul symptoms and left my hospital after 25 years in 11/2020 to recover and take some time off which lasted 2 years too long. I was 1/2 through a BSN but went on a program hold because I wasn't sure where I would end up. I worked in another hospital that didn't require a BSN but left after 10 months due to some stress and staffing issues. That hospital apparently blacklisted me unfairly, I was a good nurse there and gave excellent care. I cant find a job now and as a 61 year old need some advice about what type of systems in Raleigh (hoping to relocate there) that do not need a BSN. Im interested in ASC preop/PACU and urgent care. Any advice would be so appreciated. I know I went about the last few years poorly but am hoping to rebuild my once stellar career as a RN. Covid really derailed me 😞 Thank you to anybody that could help me sort this out.

 

[CareyD]

Have you thought of school nursing?  I love it and you get Summer's off.

[CCS]

Hi Jon,

You mentioned you were in DMV area currently.  I'd suggest getting a position here first, so employment is current prior to moving - think this would go further toward rehire when you move.  Multiple hospitals in region still hiring w/o BSN - I was hired in with expectation to go to school (am way over 60). What I'm learning is that the follow-thru with this requirement is very low.  If you provide an email, I'm happy to share my facility & additional info.  Good luck!  

[Medic2RN72, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I live and work here in the Raleigh area. There are 3 major systems in the Raleigh area. Wakemed, UNC, and Duke. I've worked at all 3 and am now on my 2nd rotation with Duke. The systems here are Magnet Hospitals, and you will be required to get your BSN within 7 years (mostly enroll in your 2nd year and 5 to complete). If it's a financial issue, tuition at most state universities (besides Chapel-Hill) is cheap. We have a program called NC Promise where some colleges like WCU, Fayetteville State, and UNC-Pembroke's undergrad tuition is capped at $500 a semester. There are plenty of nursing jobs at all 3 systems here and it doesn't matter the age or the fact that you have an ASN. 

[dsaprog, BSN, RN]

When do you plan to retire?

[C.Love, MSN, NP]

In California, some of the surgery centers hire ADN and how about hospice or home health. I have sensed age discrimination in looking for jobs, but when I mentioned it on the allnurses blog, I really got an ear full😁, as  quite a few people have strong opinions based on their experience.  

 

[Cricket183, BSN, RN]

I don't have any stellar advice just some commiseration.  Covid destroyed my nursing career (which I had just gotten back).  It's a bit of a long story but I had been on disability for an extended time due to CRPS and autoimmune conditions.  With new treatments and lots of hard work through PT/OT I was able to return to nursing in 2019 with my CRPS under good control and my autoimmune conditions in remission. Eight months later in July 2020 I contracted Covid at work and went into respiratory failure.  It has been devastating to my health and career.  At 56, I'm medically retired.  I have discovered, I am not alone and there are very few resources (at least in my state) for healthcare workers affected by Covid.  

[mdsRN2005, ASN, BSN, RN]

Jon C RN 2024 said:

Last week I accepted a position in a busy ASC surgery center no BSN good pay but high volume of procedures any good PACU advice lessons learned I would love to hear Thanks Its been a long road to get here I excited to resume my nursing career 

 

Congrats!  I'm sure you'll be a great fit in PACU with your ICU experience.  I didn't do it long, but here's a few tips I can remember:

1.  Thankfully they don't go bad often but when they do, they do quick.  I used to pull curtains between beds enough to give them privacy but not so far that I couldn't see monitors and heads (airway is your biggest issue) for all of them at the same time. 

2.  If you do peds cases, plan to hold airways, their head are larger/heavier and their tongue seems to occlude their airway quicker than adults.  Will do a lot of jaw thrusts.  Once they're remotely awake, I sat them up to prevent this.  Also they wake up screaming like crazy.  Maybe hurting but I honestly think more disoriented than anything.  We had two anesthesia providers, one didn't want us giving anything but the other would let us give a tiny dose of Demerol (assuming vitals are stable).  It worked like a charm.  They'd doze back off for about 10-15 min, then wake up as if they hadn't had surgery!  Still drowsy but not disoriented and screaming.  And presumably not in pain.  They also do better if they see mom or dad right away.  I also remember picking some up when they came out crying, sometimes they would just latch onto us then settle down.

3. Postural dizziness is pretty common.  I'd always make my patients sit on the edge of the bed at least a couple minutes before getting up to get in a wheelchair.  If not, even the ones who have been wide awake and talking the whole time would wobble and almost fall. 
 

Sorry I don't remember any more tips, it's been many years since I did it.  Hope you love it tho!