Survey for RN's 50 years old and up-part time or full time?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 25, 2012

I'm putting in 50-hour weeks myself, considering the commute back and forth. It's kicking my hiney too, but I don't have a choice because I'm the sole support for three older adults (that includes me). I'm with you.....working 2-3 days a week would be heavenly. But it's not an option, so I just don't let myself think too much about that.

caliotter3 · Mar 25, 2012

I'm in home health. From one day to the next I don't know if I will be working 40 hours or none. As a matter of fact, my current client is hospitalized, so I am not working at all, because I'm not with a second agency. You may consider transitioning into extended care home health care, where you can work as little or as much as you want, depending upon case availability. We get many nurses from the hospital when they decide to slow things down to one patient. Worth consideration.

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

Working 50-60 and doing fine. I have no health problems. Granted I don't do much in the way of real work any more. I am an MDS coordinator.

I still hit the floor when a supervisor is needed. And I do love that. I would go back in a minute. I have always loved it when it jumped. So many years floating, ICU and Telemetry, and then my real love, the ER. But those days are over for me.

I retire in 583 days, but who's counting.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

When I was 50-58 I worked two part time jobs that totalled 1.5 full time equivalents on paper but didn't quite fill 40 hours of work on site. Commuting from Illinois to Indiana twice weekly by train and driving a few hours several days per week filled in alot of my other hours. Neither job was floor nursing, which can be brutal on older bones and muscles (and younger ones too). I was always tired but loved both jobs.

crb613, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

I do full time 40+. I am working Outpt Surgery, PACU, and ER. I take call one night a week, and every 7th weekend. I work quite a few Fridays that are 16 hour shifts.....so far no problems. I made a change ~ 5 months ago from ER to OPS/PACU....just waiting for my chance to return to the ER full time! Sounds like you know what you need so I say...Go for it!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 25, 2012

I am 56 and work full time -- but it is in Staff Development, which is a lot easier on the body. But it is a very "political" position and very emotionally stressful, and that wears me down. Like the OP, I dream of being able to go part time.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

I am 58 and dropped to part time status 3 years ago after my husband died. I generally still work 40 hours and sometimes 50+ but it is emotionally better because I know I don't HAVE to do three 12 hour shifts anymore. I do work in a very busy ED, but have been recently working mostly triage and fast track. It's still busy and can be physically taxing, but is not as bad as running around the main ED.

If you can financially cut to part time, it seems like a no brainer. If your hospital is like mine, there is always an opportunity to pick up extra if you want to. I have dropped to part time or even PRN at various stages of my career and have never had a shortage of work when I wanted or needed it.

Good luck, do what you want to do for a change instead of what people are telling you to do :)

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

I now work 8 hr shifts instead of 12 hr shifts. I work only 56 hrs every 2 weeks, but that is considered full-time so I still get benefits, such as medical insurance, etc. I am working "on the floor" now, med-surg, but I don't mind walking up and down the halls. Sometimes that is the only exercise I get! My knees ache, my body is stiff, so a job that keeps me moving is actually good for me. I don't think I could do "back to back" 12's anymore, and certainly not night-shift 12's. I am single with no dependents, no mortgage, no real deductions on taxes, so I pay so much in taxes, I seem to bring home the same amount without working any extra.

allnurses Guide · Mar 25, 2012

I'm 52, and have worked 2 12s for years. Love it. Took up teaching parttime a few years ago, and enjoy the variety. So, 2 nights a week, and one day lecturing (plus grading all those weekly lab sheets etc). I'm loving it.

Kids are all off to college, only debt is the mortgage (less than 6 years to go!) and college bills.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

Working less than full time is not a financial option. It really doesn't matter what I can or can't do. It's a matter of what I MUST do.

I also try not to think about it too much.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

not quite 50 yet, but full time is my only option, and it is kicking my butt badly. Definitly 20 years ago I might have tolerated this, but not anymore. I actually slept most of yesterday after a 12( read 14) hour shift. I did not WANT to sleep- it was so overwhelming I HAD to sleep. Being that I am not quite 50 yet(47) I am so afraid of where this is heading. It gets to the point of life being eat, work sleep . nothing else- dont have the energy.If part time was an option , i would take it.