Scared? What to do?

[Shelly0928, BSN, RN]

Greetings!

I am seeking some advice from my peers. I am 50 years old, and have been a nurse for 18 years. The past several years ( 10) I have worked in a mainly clinical director type role, although I have had the need to throw on scrubs and jump in to help frequently without any issues. My most recent job has ended, due to company struggles, and I am re-evaluating my life at this point.

While most of the past 18 years in nursing have been in some form of an outpatient surgery environment, I am using this transition period to determine where I go next?

Do I use this opportunity to try something new? The idea of working 12 hours shifts again and having a few days off does appeal to me, but I am not sure if I want to continue to do the same type of work...Pacu has been my mainstay and area of most comfort, but I can also do preop, and the OR circulating. I am not keen on taking call....

At 50 years old, I consider myself extremely active, I work out 5 days per week...

But working out and "working" a 12 hour shift are totally different things!!

With this opportunity to " reset", am I too old to go back to the hospital? Do I stick with what I know?

I know it sounds kind of silly to say a fairly seasoned nurse is scared.. But I am...

Thoughts to consider about a change of field? Any suggestions of areas that might be worth considering would be helpful.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Have you considered becoming an educator in the hospital setting?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Are there particular nursing specialties or roles that interesting. Can you see a path that will take from where you are now to any of those fields?

To make a big change just because you can does not seem all that wise. I wouldn't recommend making a dramatic change in career unless you feel attracted to a specific type of work. But maybe now would be a good time to take an "easy" job in the field in which you are already an expert to give you some breathing room -- something that won't be overly stressful or busy. Then you can have an "easy" year and use that as an opportunity to think about some other possibilities and make a plan before you take a big gamble and make a rushed decision.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

Are there particular nursing specialties or roles that interesting. Can you see a path that will take from where you are now to any of those fields?

To make a big change just because you can does not seem all that wise. I wouldn't recommend making a dramatic change in career unless you feel attracted to a specific type of work. But maybe now would be a good time to take an "easy" job in the field in which you are already an expert to give you some breathing room -- something that won't be overly stressful or busy. Then you can have an "easy" year and use that as an opportunity to think about some other possibilities and make a plan before you take a big gamble and make a rushed decision.

This!!!! Excellent advice.