Fired After 50 Part III: It's Always Darkest Before Dawn

Wishing you all the best. It will come, it just might take a bit.

Praying for you, Viva! God is faithful and He will provide

Love and good wishes your way. Hopefully the lady's recommendation will find its way back to you.

Thank you for this wonderful story. I am a 50 year old LPN and also struggling with job loss and reinventing myself. My self esteem has taken a nose dive and so has my self confidence as a nurse. My bf wants me to go back to school to either finish my RN or learn a new medical field. It isn't that easy. I would have to retake A&P and microbiology then go at least two more years to finish either RN or a specialty like cardiovascular tech. I am also struggling with weight related issues affecting my knees and lower back. Financially I cannot afford to go back to school. As an LPN I am at a major disadvantage because RNs and MAs are preferred, LPNs are being treated like MAs even though we're licensed.

There's always a silver lining to every cloud. True statement -not a cliche. You can choose to make this experience one that will make you a stronger and more enlightened person and nurse. I have gone through the same thing you are going through and I have a much deeper understanding of those that are going through difficult times of all sorts. You're going to be just fine and yes, go ahead and recreate yourself. While I was going through periods of "ennui" I would study and research nursing information that I never had time to research. I also learned how important it is to stay fit after 50. For one thing, as a bedside nurse, if an employer assesses that I am not fit to do the duties of what a younger nurse can do, they'll hire a younger nurse. With regard to insurance, many employers consider whether thay want to pay a premium for a youner nurse or for an older nurse. So...I'm trying with all my heart to stay fit- better eating and exercise (including resistance exercise). Not easy my dear friend, but it's to our benefit!I know you're gonna do just fine- just lean on the positive. Let us know of your progress.Keep on truckin'! My hat goes off to you:redpinkhe

Your story moved me to tears . . . thank you for sharing your heart and your struggles. I just said a prayer for you . . .

Thank You Viva for posting your story. My thoughts are with you.

I feel for you. I still say, you are a brilliant write and a compassionate and caring person. I keep praying the right job comes down for you soon

Thanks for posting. Several years ago the CEO where I worked decided to blame all that was wrong with the facility on me. She didn't fire me, but she wanted me to accept blame for things that I had had nothing to do with. I couldn't do that so I left a job I had loved for 9 years (with no previous complaints from the CEO or anyone else, by the way). I had to re-invent myself as well. I have since finished my MSN and am now working on my PhD and teaching nursing students full-time. Sometimes what feels horrible today, turns into a great blessing tomorrow! Hang in there, I have a feeling your blessing is right around the corner!

It's never too late to go back to school. I know school is expensive, but a financial aid counselor can help you with that. I think a lot of us nurses fight weight related issues. I know I do. I think I agree with your BF on this one. School is your best option.

I'm in a similar situation after leaving the field then spending years taking care of my elderly mother. Basically stepped off the planet for a decade and it wasn't quite the same when I returned. But I wasn't the same either. I've always known this culture is not kind to low income and those over 50 (50 at the outside - another valuable resource partially consumed and tossed into a landfill), but to live it is not the same as being conscious of it. Having spent my life working in mental health, and so my own personal growth, I've developed a pretty impervious internal locus of control and equivalent level of peace short of being thrown into a battlefield. Even if I could, I wouldn't exchange youth for the wisdom and experience in having grown older. While there are a lot of great things about America, the value system in this culture is grossly askew and that isn't going to change in our lifetimes so we must adapt. Where there is gray matter there is hope, salvation, and beyond. The problems are there to be dealt with but not dwelled on. There are redeeming qualities about our lives and American culture that can be harnessed to recharge us to deal with the downside, adequate time must be spent there or the battery goes dead along the way.One things for sure, flexibility seems the key to adaptability and a stash of survival gear buys some time. Doing the same thing expecting different results actually is a good definition of insanity for those of us who are not mentally ill. I've got a plan, lots of contingencies, and a timeline - but where I'll be a year from now I can't say. I may not be back in the saddle but I'll be on the road. My guess is, so will you.

I hope so. It sure isn't happening yet.........I didn't get the hospice job, even though I aced two interviews and seemed to be headed for success. Another day, another slap in the face. I'm getting really, really tired of this.I can't really blame myself for this one, though. I gave it all I had, and I KNOW it wasn't because they thought I was too old or too fat. But I live more than 40 minutes away, and I think that may have been the deciding factor---they probably needed someone who could be there in 15 minutes if there was a call-in or something else hit the fan. So.......I guess that simply means the right job is still out there. Then again, at this point I don't even care if it's the "right" job........I just want to work and take care of my family, and if I can stand being there, it's all good.