mathilda843

Did you ever read Water for Elephants? It's narrated by a 90+ year old man in a nursing home as he recalls his life...I listened to it on tape driving back and forth to work. It really makes you think about the elderly and it was so well read and written that it will make you cry.

Esme, My heart goes out to you! So sorry for the disrespect that you are experiencing. How about online instructor? Gee, just from reading your posts here, I'd go to you in the blink of an eye with anything! You have inspired and helped many here - please keep up the good work!

carolLee Ann Good Luck with your search! I feel your pain....

Wow! Just exactly what I have been experiencing! I keep applying to places, and just about everything that looks like it might be a go...then it finally hit me - age discrimination! It's nice to see the many suggestions here, but believe me, I have hit the wall with most of those ideas - can't get into home care because I don't have specific home care experience, even office positions are extremely difficult to come by and another place where there is a great deal of age discrimination, most likely having to do with the fact that most places are now using EMR's. I feel that they think that "older" nurses don't do EMR! And that is just a bunch of bologna! I don't get the feeling that they value our years of experience. I was just bypassed for an office position in my specialty. It was given to a person who has been a nurse for about a year, but had more of an office background...go figure... What is acceptable regarding follow-up with the people who make the hiring decisions? HR, manager, etc.? Is there a fine line between overkill and just letting them know that you want the position?

I have been a nurse for over 35 years. Unfortunately, I don't live in the land of opportunity. After many years of 2nd shift, every other weekend, all those holidays, living with the threat of having to stay over into 3rd shift, weekly changing schedules, and not being on the same time schedule as the rest of my family, I have been looking to move off of that shift into a "day" job. I have varied experience in nursing - different hospital units, office work, and health center experience. The small rural hospital where I work is going through major changes, as are many across the nation, and many positions will be gone, which is also a big factor in the decision to look for a change - it's a wish and a necessity. Yes, I know - nurses are not the only people who are required to work off hours, weekends, holidays, etc. I have seen many changes in nursing and in health care over the years - some good, some not so great. But, that's a topic for another discussion... I can sympathize with the new grads, not being able to find jobs. And now I have seen the frustration first hand. I still remember the days when you could walk in, say, "I'm a nurse", and poof! you were hired. Now I see the age discrimination that goes on for the nurses on my end of the scale. I have had several interviews with no success. I still need to work, just as much as the younger nurses. I guess my frustration is - after all these years, how do you make yourself marketable? We've seen many posts addressing this problem for the new grad group. Any suggestions for the older crew?

I too, would love to get out of hospital nursing! I've been in it for over 30 years and simply cannot stand the changes. The priority is no longer the patient! I've had several interviews including one for hospice and one for visiting nurse/home care. The peer interviews went great, but the administrative/manager decision makers denied me that chance for employment, saying that my recent acute care skills and assessment are not current with acute care/medical assessment skills. Really??? We don't assess all age groups of women? I have been mostly in womens health/labor delivery/newborn nursery for the last 10 years. Administration believes that in that role, all nurses do is play with babies, etc. or something along those lines. They and everyone else, don't seem to realize the responsibility we as nurses, have at the bedside of laboring women, and at the bedside of sick newborns. I unfortunately, do not live in the land of opportunity - very small town - so these other types of jobs are virtually non-existant. At this point in my live I am not willing to drive an hour or so to the "big" hospitals, and work third shift in an hospital rat-race environment. I just want OUT! and feel stuck in the mud! Reading these posts - maybe I'll look for LTC - just to get on days and have a schedule that is consistent.... Any words of wisdom out there for those of us in the small town environment? AAAHHHH!!!!

This kind of thing is exactly why I would never encourage anyone to go into nursing at this point in time! It's only going to get worse as far as non-clinical management setting priorities and goals when they have absolutely no idea how to care for a patient! Yes, some things look just ducky on paper, don't they? But we all know that in real life there's most often not only black and white choices. You certainly did the right thing...get out of there while you can!! What a shame that managers and administrators are ruining new nurses with their (managers, admin) view of patient care...

Learner, If it's "cheap and fast" I'd be a little leary of the whole thing....just sayin...

Wow! to all the responses. I believe that "enjoy" isn't really the correct word...I feel lucky that I have had this nursing career for so many years. I've been blessed to have been able to welcome new life into this world and to have been able to welcome an end to suffering as someone departs this world. I have been privileged to share these moments. Much of the response to PrincesBride's post has to do with not hardening, but becoming stronger through the years. Perhaps to a young, inexperienced (in life and nursing) person this equates to hardening. Most of these seasoned nurses' complaints have to do with lack of support, lack of adequate staff, lack of "normal" working hours, lack of understanding of what a nurse is and does. (Even after all these years, my family still doesn't get it...the hours, the job...) As you begin your career - God Bless You. After 30 or so years, you do become hardened in many ways. But it's due to the fact that you still care. You care for your patients, for your co-workers, for your institutions, and for the state of nusing as a profession. I'm hopeful that the new nurses will always care. I've seen too many who are quick to judge, and don't want to "get their hands dirty." Nursing begins with caring. Part of caring is to learn to not be judgemental. Good luck as you begin your career. (There's nothing wrong with becoming a crusty old broad...)

Grn Tea, Perfectly said! And - I'd like to officially join the "Crusty Old Bat Society"!!! Thank goodness for the crusty old bats...

Katie, Thank you for your response. I did not expect that a course would guarantee a CM position, just wondered if it would help....certainly not looking to take the CCM exam - just that that particular course looked to be informative and interesting.. I've been a nurse for 40 years and have clinical experience in many areas. Thanks for the tip regarding discharge planning - just as I thought. I can see that there are other similar threads here, so I"ll be sure to check back often Good luck to all!

What would be a good way for a clinical nurse to break into case management? I have seen several courses online that range from college courses to certificate courses, to CEU courses. Is the ANCC case management course something that would be suitable as a beginning? I like that because you can enroll at any time, rather than a course that has a specific start date. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Mathilda

Suni, Thanks for your reply. It helps to know that we may be crazy - but at least we're not alone!

I've been trying to justify finishing my MSN degree at the ripe old age of 60...had to stop due to family and financial obligations. I just can't get it out of my mind - like it's calling me to do this. But I can too easily come up with many reasons that it would not be a good idea - (mostly financial) Any other oldies doing this? I'm looking for pros and cons just to see if I'm truly insane...(ha ha) I just cannot make up my mind once and for all...

Wow! I would definitely lean toward the one you can pay out of pocket. But, you have to look at the program, curriculum, reputation, work load, etc. Good Luck!

W, Thank you for your thoughtful replies. It was so well written that I called Capella. The admissions advisor seemed a tad pushy to me , which sort of surprised me. I was also surprised to know that they have not yet been accredited by CCNE. They are currently awaiting the decision, so that was not exactly a confidence-building discovery. And - the education track does not have a practicum component. That was another surprise... So, I'm still confused and "shopping" for the right place for me. Thanks for your insights, and best of luck to you as you continue your education!

W, What about price of Capella & financial aid and/or scholarship opportunities?????

Looking for a reasonably priced (cheap) online MSN program. Any suggestions Please?

RNTX 2002, Thanks for the good info. I am also looking for an online stats course. I have seen this one before, but now cannot get into the web page. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Jeyre 1847, For over 40 years nursing has been attempting to achieve the same degree of professionalism as other professions. I'm all for furthering your education, and advanced degrees. However, as UVA Grad stated, it's good to have experience before you go on, and before you decide which road to take. I truly hate to see any young person enter this profession without thinking about "going on." Look at what you're interested in, get a sense of what you're comfortable with, and what you're good at. But, don't stop here - I agree with your sister as far as getting that Masters, but unfortunately in nursing it's a bit different. Maybe in your nursing future you'll see some uniformity in nursing education and see that we really can achieve that professional status that brings us up to par with others. There are so many options for Masters in nursing - brick & mortar, or online. I really believe that in nursing you need to start at the bedside and go from there. Oh my, I didn't mean to get carried away like that... I also wanted to ask UVA grad - how can public health and clinical nurse leader be non-clinical?? Take care, get your feet wet, you'll see what you'll like. mathilda

To llg That's an excellent response! And, by the way - I love the Mulder quote! I live right next door to Quonochontaug!

Actually -- No, I would not.

Before I even read the responses I wanted to say to you that the problem is with your co-workers and not you - just so you realize that. No, I have not been in the same position as you. But, I have been in the postion of being one of the nurses who have been there for quite some time. When our institution first started using midwives, I saw the same type of behavior among the staff. It's really a shame. I think the nastiness stems from their feeling threatened and probably jealous. I hope things work out for you. Eventually even the most hesitant of "old" nurses came to realize the benefits of having the midwives. You can't please all the people all of the time, but I bet that with time it can get better. Good luck, and good for you for fulfilling your dream!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. (could you tell that I was sort of freaking out over this?...) I appreciate your response! Thanks.

OK, I did a really dumb thing - I started an online MSN program that I really wasn't into,(too many family obligations/problems at that time) and withdrew after a couple of weeks. I was awarded federal student aid. When I knew that I needed to withdraw I requested that the school cancel my loan , thinking that I was within the time limit to do so. Apparently, I was not because the money was dispersed right about at the same time. I can't seem to get in touch with anyone to actually speak to about this. Now I would like to start at another school next month. How will this effect my financial aid chances at this school? I know that I need to pay out of pocket for the course that I dropped at school #1. It's been an expensive lesson to say the least... Do I still have a good chance for financial aid at school # 2? I can't do this without it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.