Lately, I have been sidelined by a medical situation. Truth be told, I love being home, but was not planning on being here just yet. I really had planned to work full-time til full retirement age, then at least part-time after that - kind of die in harness, you know.
It has got me wondering who else is feeling that maybe they are getting ready to hang it up. A couple of things that have me focusing on it are:
I no longer know all of the newer meds. I have always spent lots of time studying meds, but no longer am up on the latest ones.
I don't know all the names and types of wound care products and their uses.
Ditto all the mattresses available these days and the indications.
The students and residents look so young they could be in pre-school, LOL.
My boss is a lot younger than I am. A lot younger.
So, what makes you feel like you might be heading into the sunset? Are you happy about it?
I was sidelined for over 7 months, but still have my job and support. It has been a little unreal just how supportive my manager and director have been, with extended LOA and return on light duty despite the official admin position on it. I am back on limited hours, light duty, and everyone has been very supportive despite some snark from HR. Guess being in the department for 19 years has some use to it!
I agree with the difficulty in keeping up with the new drugs, and I am really glad the new drug admin system on the computer lets me look at the drug right there at the bedside. Few problems still with some of the newer procedures, but in an ED a complex case always has more than one nurse in the room; and I excel at other stuff. My charting is thorough, my times on the drugs given are accurate, and my bedside comfort etc. is great. I'm humble too I do CEUs on stuff that I need regularly.
So no, I don't want to quit just yet. Got three years left to go on my mortgage, and a good 10 to 13 before "official" retirement. I like what I do, and staying home for 7 months was boring (not to mention painful, and all the other side effects of my chemo).
I'm going out like a wrecking ball when I leave and I'm taking my mojo with me!! :-) I am in my early 40's and the youngn's don't scare me yet.....I love to see their enthusiasm.....and to see how long it lasts. lol Only you know when it's time to hang up the nurses hat. Wish you the very best.
I love the teamwork. Does anyone at your job resent any aspect you've described? Or are folks really willing to work together and help each other?
I don't know of any resentment, and I would if there was.
These nurses aren't taking prime work away, they're working weekends, helping with call, picking up overflow. They're generous in spirit and we value them.
I was sidelined for over 7 months, but still have my job and support. It has been a little unreal just how supportive my manager and director have been, with extended LOA and return on light duty despite the official admin position on it. I am back on limited hours, light duty, and everyone has been very supportive despite some snark from HR. Guess being in the department for 19 years has some use to it!
I agree with the difficulty in keeping up with the new drugs, and I am really glad the new drug admin system on the computer lets me look at the drug right there at the bedside. Few problems still with some of the newer procedures, but in an ED a complex case always has more than one nurse in the room; and I excel at other stuff. My charting is thorough, my times on the drugs given are accurate, and my bedside comfort etc. is great. I'm humble too I do CEUs on stuff that I need regularly.
So no, I don't want to quit just yet. Got three years left to go on my mortgage, and a good 10 to 13 before "official" retirement. I like what I do, and staying home for 7 months was boring (not to mention painful, and all the other side effects of my chemo).
Sorry to hear about chemo, JBudd, but glad you are back to work; great that your boss is a good one; keep on keepin' on.
KK, in South Africa, a State pension is so minimal you can literally starve to death if you don't have children to help support you. Besides that, you only qualify for it if you have no investments of your own. I've reached official retirement age, but fortunately we really do have a shortage of nurses, so my employer quite happily gave me a contract to stay on with medical benefits! My pension money is invested, and hopefully I will be able, health-wise, to work until we have enough to continue paying the bills once I do throw in the towel.
It helps here if you are qualified or experienced in any specialized unit. Trauma, theater and ICU experienced nurses are always in short supply, and even if you don't want to work for a specific company on a permanent basis, there are plenty of nursing agencies, and the specialized nurses are always booked out.
I doubt whether I will ever completely give up nursing. Even when I do, as I said, throw in the towel, I will probably continue working relief for a few days a month, just to maintain medical insurance. State medical care, although free for senior citizens, is very dicey in SA.
I didn't think I would ever step away from the bedside. Now that I have, I can breath more easily. I dread the thought of ever going back to the bedside. The hustle and bustle of it all (which I use to love). In my prime, I could handle most anything sent my way and if I didn't know how to do something, I could find somebody that did and do it with them. With all the changes in health care and what society expects of nurses today, I'm glad I have my church nurse job. My clients enjoy seeing me. I can work at my own pace and work from home many days. I am soon to be 59 and I can tell that my body has been working (hard) as a bedside staff nurse for the past 35 plus years. For the last year I worked in a hospital, I cried most of the days I had to go to work and dreaded the days that I worked. I NEVER thought that I would feel that way and in some ways it saddens me. It seems as I do my work now, new ideas come to me and doors have a way of opening up. I never really was afraid of a challenge!
That is very comforting to hear that your organization supports older folks. I wish that other organizations would have the same opinion. It feels like we have a "use by date" stamped on our heads!
This is for the RN in the article Time to take that Final Step to the Locker Room.
I too like you am an older RN who planned to work full time until I reached retirement age (1 more year), and then work part time to supplement my income. I too have been sidelined with a medical condition, and the doctor says that it's permanent. I won't be able to return to nursing, a profession that I love. I have been an RN since 1971, and I've always worked full time until the recent past. My advice to you is that if you're unfamiliar with medications, or products, use the internet to look them up. If you have a computer, tablet or smart phone, there are many medical applications (if you have an android phone) that you can download for free or at a minimal cost. Use the internet to increase your knowledge or refer to your professional journals. My best wishes to you, and hope that your medical conditiion improves enough for you to return to work.
At 56, I still have plenty of time to work. I work in healthcare IT. The pace is crazy and it is filled with plenty of younger folks including nurses. At some point I would like to get off the road from traveling but I think I still have at least 10 good years in me. I see no point in hanging up my stethoscope yet.
I have worked full time since getting my license some 25+ years ago. I too thought I would work full time until I no longer could, retiring really never entered my mind & I couldn't imagine not working. My job / career took a sudden turn after a disaster at work. Since working reduced hours and "rebuilding" at work, its like a light went on. I can see retirement without work, and even look forward to a less stressful life. I have 10+ years to go. Sometimes things happen for a reason.
Boy, did I need to read this! I'm one of those "so-called" baby-boomers. Life took a turn for me, about 4 years ago. I became a suspended Nurse, when I chose not to be an addict or alcoholic. Unfortunately the majority in my state being hit are older, seasoned Nurses. To make a long story short, it was a moral decision for me. I knew I couldn't live in a lie, which led me to advocacy work for Nurses. Tell you tho, it was tough. 20+ years; my life, the best part of my life. I have talked to many Nurses while researching and the sense to give it up is so strong. With our profession taking such twist and turns, the price is almost to high. I knew my next "sunset" had to be to work on change. I no longer could be a Nurse, in validation, but sure could make a difference. I have a debilitating disease, which really tugs at my thorns; Heart Disease. I sure want to use each sunrise/sunset to best of my ability. Was I happy about such a big change? Well, life gave me lemons so I made lime-aid. Sunset's not so bad, just getting to the acceptance part was. Hope, love and peace! Determined, is my middle name. Change? There has to be, Nurses are in their prime when they are seasoned. I want a seasoned Nurse to care for me too. Kind of a comfort knowing that. Sunset? There is a sunrise too, don't give up. Do all that you can, years of experience are priceless!
After 41 years as an RN I am still at the bedside full time and loving it. I want to work longer and should be able to as long as no health surprises creep up. I have been active all my life and it keeps surprising the younger nurses. Most days I have as much or more energy than they do. And my hospital is supportive of what I do as an experienced RN. I recognize that any of this could change in a moment but it is still working well. At any rate I am old enough to collect Social Security if I want or need to but I am not ready yet. I love my work and my patients love having me. So I guess they are stuck with me for now!
I do CEUs on stuff that I need regularly.
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JBudd, MSN
3,836 Posts
I was sidelined for over 7 months, but still have my job and support. It has been a little unreal just how supportive my manager and director have been, with extended LOA and return on light duty despite the official admin position on it. I am back on limited hours, light duty, and everyone has been very supportive despite some snark from HR. Guess being in the department for 19 years has some use to it!
I agree with the difficulty in keeping up with the new drugs, and I am really glad the new drug admin system on the computer lets me look at the drug right there at the bedside. Few problems still with some of the newer procedures, but in an ED a complex case always has more than one nurse in the room; and I excel at other stuff. My charting is thorough, my times on the drugs given are accurate, and my bedside comfort etc. is great. I'm humble too
I do CEUs on stuff that I need regularly.
So no, I don't want to quit just yet. Got three years left to go on my mortgage, and a good 10 to 13 before "official" retirement. I like what I do, and staying home for 7 months was boring (not to mention painful, and all the other side effects of my chemo).