KYMDSRN

Thank you for sharing and the advise. I do feel we ADN's have systematically been devalued in hospitals push to be Magnet. Have they already forgotten the shortage not that long ago?? I have been exploring some alternative jobs and it's going to be a big change. Since I work for the federal government, I will be loosing some major benefits once I leave but at this point I really don't care anymore. I asked for a reduction in hours and was told no immediately. Have been searching for a job for weeks now. Not much out there for a non BSN. One hospital will hire me but as a employment condition I would have to enroll in a BSN program. I think I'm done with the assembly line work on medsurg anyway. Hopefully I can find something soon where I can use my knowledge but not throw my back out in the process. I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband who is supportive. He is all for me changing jobs as he has seen the toll it has taken on me.

Feeling somewhat stuck. I'm almost 45 and have been a nurse for 19 years. I've experienced a lot in my career and am very glad I had those opportunities to learn and grow. For the last few years my ability to handle the stress of dealing with difficult situations, long shifts, bad scheduling, heavy physical activity and night shift have taken a toll. I have learned that nurses like me...older ADN's...aren't really desirable. I have pretty much been told if I can't handle the work then I should find other employment. I have never had a bad evaluation and am a preceptor to new nurses along with charge nurse. I think it's pretty sad that I have invested so much in my career and when the time has come for me to slow down management would rather I leave my job than help me. I have seen a couple of nurses pressured into leaving. I am looking elsewhere so I can get back some quality of life but wondered if there are any other nurses experiencing this.