I became an BSN RN at the age of 36 and worked part-time as a substitute school nurse for about 3 years.  I never worked in a hospital (other than as a nursing assistant my last year of school) and lack any kind of experience like that.  I discontinued work due to family demands (my license is current but inactive).  Eight years later I need to start working again to help our family income and wonder what I should do.  To be honest, school nursing could be very nerve-wracking - you never knew when you might have an emergency (head injury, etc.) and I was working independently.  Not working weekends and over the summer was a big plus but I just don't think I would be comfortable practicing by myself as such.  Of course, you always have a supervisor to call but not someone there with you.  I enjoyed working with  children but think I would be perfectly happy working as a receptionist in a doctor's office now.  I would have to take a refresher course (daunting!) to work as an RN again and just don't know if I really want to be nursing again.  I graduated with honors from school but feel like I have very little nursing experience - and at my age (47).  Any thoughts?

I have been a nurse for 39 years.  Yes, you should remain a nurse.  You may have started out on the wrong foot in  in a setting where you were the only nurse. That was certainly daunting for someone with little experience.  Take the refresher course, you will learn more than you think and work in a setting such as a hospital where you have collegues to assist you and an onsite supervisor to guide you when unusual situations arise. 

Nursing is all I've done and I wouldn't do anyhting else.  By the way, I still work full time.

I became a R.N. in 1998 and a BSN in 2004, after working as an LPN for appr. 25 yrs.  I am now disabled and unable to work!  I would like to hear from my collieges (1) should I maintain my Ma. nursing license?  (2)  can I volunteer in the Boston area?   If so, where and in what capacity.  (3) Where can I find a program for disabled maturing RNs who have a lot to contribute, spare time, and desire to continue in some capacity using their nursing knowledge.  Can anyone offer suggestions? 

 

Nursing is a challenging field more today than ever but everyday we have the opportunity to change a patient's life by our mear presence.  Not the physicians but the nurses.  We need you and you'd be suprised how quickly you relearn the skills that you once had.  Every field of nursing is important so just think about what the right fit is for you but don't give up on a career that allows you to touch a life and impact someones future. 

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Scsrunner

Joy,

My story is very much like yours.  I went to nursing school and worked as an outpatient nurse in a mental health clinic for kids for 4 years, then 'retired' to be the mom for 7 years. I had very little hands-on, hospital-like nursing experience.  I kept my license current but did not work.  About 4 years ago I decided I needed to go back to work for my sanity and self-esteem.  Being a SAHM is great, but kinda limiting on grown-up intellectual stimulation.  I needed to feel like I was making a difference.  I too considered taking non-nursing jobs, even sales positions.  But what did I go to school for and do all that hard work for?  I decided I was selling myself short.  I took a refresher course a local hospital.  I was terrified!!!  I was the queen of insecurity.  But the class was very supportive, after all, it was filled with women in my own shoes!  I dont know if a class by you would be the same, but mine was two parts, with no tests!!  This was not about the state boards or passing a test, my instructor reminded me, but was to boost our self confidence and to convince us that we can do this.  The first part was self-directed.  We were given several text books to read/review on our own. I think we had a drug calc book, an ethics book, s/s, NP, maybe a few others?  We were given quizzes to gauge our progress, but not for a grade.  When we felt comfortable with those, we contacted the instructor and were assigned a preceptor in that hosptial, which is a teaching facility as well. I followed that nurse and was able to get into nursing again/really for the first time with no pressure that my job depended on it.  I was not expected to know it all.  I found many supportive nurses that encouraged me to ask questions and practice.  Nursing is a scary profession, being responsible for SO MUCH for patients LIVES!  but we as nurses need to be supportive and not be scary ourselves.  If I can do this,  and I did!!! , I know you can too. 

Maggie

student.beryl:

I became a R.N. in 1998 and a BSN in 2004, after working as an LPN for appr. 25 yrs.  I am now disabled and unable to work!  I would like to hear from my collieges (1) should I maintain my Ma. nursing license?  (2)  can I volunteer in the Boston area?   If so, where and in what capacity.  (3) Where can I find a program for disabled maturing RNs who have a lot to contribute, spare time, and desire to continue in some capacity using their nursing knowledge.  Can anyone offer suggestions? 

 

 

student.beryl:

I became a R.N. in 1998 and a BSN in 2004, after working as an LPN for appr. 25 yrs.  I am now disabled and unable to work!  I would like to hear from my collieges (1) should I maintain my Ma. nursing license?  (2)  can I volunteer in the Boston area?   If so, where and in what capacity.  (3) Where can I find a program for disabled maturing RNs who have a lot to contribute, spare time, and desire to continue in some capacity using their nursing knowledge.  Can anyone offer suggestions? 

 

Absolutely you should stay a nurse. There are so many jobs out there looking for experienced nurses for case management, call lines, etc.

There are even case management jobs that you can do right from home! I am a nurse who was injured on the job at age 22 or 23, right at the beginning of my career; I worked as long as I could with the bad back, and then decided I'd had enough lifting and lugging of people and I wan't going to kill myself. I went to work in a prison which wasn't strenuous at all, there was alot of walking and other things, but I had no problem with them.

Throughout my 12 year career I've chosen only jobs that I know I can physically handle. Case management is a great field, but there are so many other things you can do with all those years of knowledge and experience that you have!

Visit these websites: CLICK HERE   and   CLICK HERE

You'll find some helpful information. Also check out www.ratracerebellion.com  It is a site for work at home jobs only; it has a healthcare section.

Good luck, and don't give up. You are worth your weight in gold to some employer for all the knowledge you have.

email me anytime

Amanda :o )

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RN = Jack of All Trades