Fired After 50 Part IV: A Time to Punt

This is discouraging. I am partway where you are now and am not enjoying it either. I wish I had never gone in the direction of nursing. It has been so disappointing.

After 37 years as a nurse and a bout with breast cancer for which I had to take significant medical leave, I found myself in a similar position. The institution which I was working at did not renew my contract because of the significant tme I had to take off for chemo and radiation.I actually tried for over a year and a half to obtain employment in the nursing field.I became discouraged. I understand what you are going through.Then last december I discovered I had severe osteoarthritis in my knees .And I have back problems from allthose years of lifting patients. I guess the good new in that is that I am now on disability so thats helps somewhat financially. But my husband is working 2 jobs right now to keep us afloat financially.As you might guess, the medical bills from cancer treatment(even with insurance), were devastating.So,hand in there. I too feel that nursing has treated me badly. Its like after a certain age you are kind of a throw away.Nursing isn't the only job in the world-it is however one of the hardest. After my knee replacement surgery(both knees) I will see if there is another plan for me. The universe does provide, although we don't always know what or when.Then

Marla what state do you live in? have you ever considered signing on to an agency for perdiem work? or maybe work with an agency recruiter to help you find that perfect job. We have one at my agency and the facilities pay him a fee for finding them the right nurse. It doesn't cost you anything and it gives you an advocate looking out for your best Interests 24/7! i have noticed that sometimes companies don't advertise all their vacant positions and our "headhunter" puts the right nurse with the right job! if you want more info you know where to find me!!!! Keep your head up girl! I know that you are a skilled nurse with tons of experience and you have an amazing way of making a problem clear and my patients have benefited from your gifts!! i just want you to know that YOU ARE LOVED AND VERY MUCH NEEDED IN THIS CAREER!!!!!!

OP --Keep your chin up. It's a hard spot you are in.I get the not making bills thing. My husband had no work for 18 months and is just recently employed again. We, too, managed to not lose our assets (barely) on my salary but with three kids between the two of us, a mortgage, and a car payment, we got way behind. Now it's catch up with huge credit card debt. I can imagine that it's just as stressful for you, nearing retirement. My parents are in a bit of the same boat as well. My dad is retired (on disability), and my mom just had her hours cut back -- again. They are trying to figure out how they can live on pennies until she can pull SS/medicare. Her work doesn't offer medical so they are paying out huge amounts for a private policy that she needs.It's just a bad time, historically/financially. It is really crummy to think that you (and many others!!!) went so many years as a college educated person with a good paying job, only to have the rug pulled out from under you. It feels unfair and unjust. I like to think of myself as a flexible, adaptable person, but sometimes "rolling with the punches" really gets you down. So sorry for you, but I'm glad you are documenting this. Hopefully this will be something that you can look back on 5 years from now and be thankful that you came out on the other side a stronger, wiser person. (Doesn't it stink that that might be your only consolation, though?)Best wishes. Keep us posted.

I really hope things turn around for you very soon! I've always felt that everything happens for a reason, and perhaps this is the Universe telling you to take a break...for now. I've been reading your series since the beginning and you sound like a wonderful, hard working nurse who, unfortunately, had a bad series of events. Good luck and don't give up hope!

This is happening more and more with the older nurses. Some are even being set up to get fired. I believe society is such now that most places only want the young people with BSN degrees.

you may just want a permanent job, but you could sign up with a nursing agency. they won't care what age you are..all they care about is that you have a nursing license. they'll pay more than the hospitals and it'll help pay your bills in the meantime. i suggest all about staffing and medstaff (i personally prefer all about staffing). good luck to you.

You know, y'all might have something there. Does anyone know any temp agencies that hire nurses for jobs other than hospitals?

{{{{Viva}}}}

Actually, I've been getting some emails from agencies that are getting contracts in other areas: corrections nursing, rehab facilities, ECF's, and even got an email recently about a temp discharge planner. I think the key is calling a bunch of agencies and inquiring. I can let you know the agencies I've seen but the problem is they are in MI. I do know the one agency has a travel division, I don't know if that's something you'd like to look into. You might be able to do a travel assignment not too far from your home, I did that in NC for a number of years. Let me know if I can send some names your way.

VivalasviejasI cried when I read your post...and also the responses posted. I'm so sorry. I KNOW the depth of your disappointment and fear because I am having a somewhat similar experience.I am a new grad...back at square one again after not being selected for a job I interviewed for. I don't have a spouse, so its entirely on me to keep a roof over my head...and I fear I will not be able to do so for very much longer.I'm trying to make peace with the increasingly likely possibility I will lose my home by telling myself that my mortgage is 1/2 of what it would have cost to rent around here (thanks to when I bought it)...so in a weird sense I still came out ahead, even if I have to give it up.I take some comfort that there seems to be a collective sense amongst many of us that God and/or the universe is supporting us somehow and that there will come a point when we'll be able to look back and be able to say, "Unpleasant as that was...it brought me HERE...and there's no other place I would rather be now."I continue to hope the 'greater' plan doesn't include a stint of me living in my car. But if it does I will try my best to keep the faith.Thank you for sharing your story.

Good luck.