Too old to start medsurge

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Hello,

I'm 54 and have only been a RN for 3 years. I started my RN career at a wound healing center. I would love to work medsurge as I really have a pull towards there ever since clinicals.

Am I to old? I am willing, able and so ready for a change and an opportunity to do so much more.

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Specializes in PACU.

Never too old!!

Ok, now that I got that out of the way.

It's not about age, it's about if you can handle the physical demands of med/surg. There is a lot of running, bending, turning, twisting and lots of lifting.

I have worked med/surg with nurses older then you and never felt they could not do their job because of age. I have worked with much younger nurses that couldn't meet the physical demands.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

I'm 53 and just started my RN career on a busy 44-bed cardiac telemetry medsurg (though far more medical than surgical patients) unit. It's demanding mentally and physically; but doable. If you are in reasonably good health at 54, what's stopping you?

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What is drawing you to med-surg? With 3 years of experience, you would be qualified for other opportunities.

Handling med- surg entirely depends on if you have the physical stamina required to work on a physically demanding unit. Can you stand on your feet for 12 hours, walk for miles, and lift 50 pounds?

I worked med-surg until the age of 60. I feel I was lucky I could handle the demands, but would only take 8 hour shifts. I felt luckier when I got out of it.

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Try it. If you find you can't keep up, move into another area of nursing.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

I wouldn't say old , just... WHY!??? Lol

its a pretty rough, hard on your body gig!!!!

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I started Med/Surg at 50. Prior to that I did STR for 2 yrs. I am 53 yrs old and I love MS. I am so happy that I made the decision to apply to a hospital. Your nursing skills will be utilized on a daily basis, some STR dont insert IV's or hang blood or do PD. In the ms unit you will do all of these. It's exhausting at times but if you work with a great team as I do, when its crazy you get the help that you need. If you dont try it, then you will never know.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

NO!!!! I am going to be 53 in May. I have been a nurse 5 years. I work on an orthopedic floor and i love it.

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