Career change at 48??

LegacyUser

Hi! Just looking for some perspective. I work in nursing - have done for 27 years. Off on stress leave at moment - 2nd time in six months - off now for seven weeks - lots of bullying, and so many obstacles put int he way of me doing my job properly and according to my code of practice. Don't want to go into all the issues - just tired of it all. At informal procedure - bullies completely took platform - and the bullying escalated. Management wanted me to stay, but I didn't - I've been bullied before in nursing. I've seen lots of my best and most dedicated colleagues bullied also.

Now, I've been offered another job in a different hospital - part-time - wouldn't ever go back to nursing full-time - just can't be the nurse I want to be and give patients the care I feel they need. However, the thought of starting this new nursing job at end Jan/early Feb, fills me with absolute dread - I feel sick and anxious just thinking about it. Also, I'm not even started and I've already come across the usual '****e.' In my last job, the Departmental Secretary would never answer her phone - and so many patients were missing their appointments, or ringing up really distressed after trying to make contact for an appointments so many times, and no calls were returned. Now with this new job - I have emailed the Admin person three times over three weeks re have they got all they need for me to start my new job - but they have never replied. HR when I rang never heard of me and didn't know that there was a job vacancy, or that I had applied, and stated that they would probably not be able to get me a contract until a few weeks after I started - this alone is ringing alarm bells.

Anyway, I'm dreading going back to nursing again. i feel so anxious and down when I think about it. I'm terrified of more bullying incidences - it seems to be endemic in healthcare - I had 18 months of it this time, and my health wouldn't stand it again. Has anyone any advice re what I should do - stick it out/try something else - I do have passion for cooking and was thinking of doing the Ballymaloe or Dublin Cookery School courses for 3 months - probably the latter as it is cheaper. My chilaren are late teens, so expensive. My husband is on about 42k - so we're not loaded for me to make a mistake with a switch to a different career. I got an inheritance of 80k last year - so have some spare cash, at the moment anyway. Any perspectives on all this would be so welcome.

Fakediamond

Hi OP, I know what you're saying. As a fellow public servant, I feel the same frustrations. The more "efficiencies" they try and implement, the harder the job gets for the frontline staff and the worse the service gets to the public. So many boxes to tick and the "customer" gets lost in there somewhere.

In terms of a change, and with your long career and expertise, could you move sideways, as it were. What about a nurse ina G.P. Practice, or a homecare nurse for a health insurer, or for a large manufacturing company or a boarding school? I'm not in your line of work, so I wouldn't know all the possible options.

If you really want a major career change, I'd consider seeing one of those careers advisors, for a couple of hundred quid, they'd put you through a battery of psychometric tests and see where your strengths lie.

Scraggs

I recently graduated as a 'mature' student (I'm only 29!) after retraining in a completely different field from my first degree. Among my classmates/friends were quite a few people in their 40s and 50s including 3 former nurses. Befriending these people has really changed my outlook on life... it is way too short to be unhappy in a job because let's face it we spend most our lives working! I would suggest that you do research into what you want to retrain in eg. Do you want to be a chef? Do you want to start your own business in the food industry? Sit down and think about what exactly you want to do and work out a way to get there. Maybe even look at shadowing or meeting with a person in the industry and viewing the colleges you mentioned will help you decide? You may be able to supplement your income doing shifts or bank work as a nurse. I know one of my friends was a nurse and was signed up to a health recruitor and did shifts in a variety of hospitals/ nursing homes and was able to make it work around classes and family commitments.
My own mum is 57 and has just started in art college and even though it's only been a few months she's like a different person!
It won't be without challenges be it could be the best thing you ever did.

If you decide it's not possible to retrain do you like being a nurse? Is it possible to move to a different speciality like eg. Private nursing home/ hospital or working with an agency. Contact recruitors and see if they have anything going. I know one woman who travels over to the Isle of Man and works there every second month. That mightn't even be realistic for you but what I'm getting at is look at all the possibilities and see if any could work for you.

The Princess Bride

You don't have to nurse in a hospital.
There's a huge amount of community work available.
I know so many nurses who left hospitals because of stress and bullying and are very happy now in the community.

No job should have you worrying before you even start it.

Wesser

Yes it is ok to have a Career change age 48, follow your dreams!!!

But just to mention, a GP nurse us s great job and might suit you well. You would have to learn how to immunisations and smears but it is not that hard. Small closely knit team where you would be well looked after..... Mostly.
Regular hours. Part time options available. Very few serious emergencies.

Noo

My dad went from labouring/manufacturing into healthcare when he was your age and has never looked back. Go for it!

Airyfairy12

Op you have 17 years before retirement age, it is not too late.

I was going to suggest looking for work in a private practice or care home but I see others have already suggested that, another option could be a school or college who employ full time medical staff for students, or you could do home visits.
Or what about special needs assisting in a special school? it only takes a 9 month course for a fetac 5 qualification and the cost of the course is only about 250 for the entire year.

Working in a kitchen as a chef is a very stressful environment, you also need a 4 year degree in culinary arts. Its not something you can walk into with no experience and a 3 month cooking course, maybe you could do this course as a way of feeding your hobby, learning new skills and meeting new people.

Because of your experience as a nurse you'd probably be able to get into a masters course in therapy or other medical related areas or you could get a Hdip in adult education, its a one year course that would enable you to teach in Further education colleges. Just something to think about, you have allot of options available to you.

LegacyUser

I'm in exactly same position as you I love my job but higher ups who have no idea what it's like on the front line keep piling on the ideals with no money to back it, then we are considered non - compliant when we can't meet those ideals.
And as for the bullying yep I know about that too very disheartening to be on your own!
It's terrifying for me to be qualified in nothing else I couldn't get entry level work if I tried. I don't know where to start or turn. I'm thinking of going for medical secretary in the new year.
Being a chef is hard work with very antisocial hours (worse that nursing hrs) and the bullying is astronomical....that's from a friend of mine who changed from that career.
I'm sorry I don't have much advice apart from think carefully and go to your new job try it out could it be any worse than where you are? And keep an eye out for new career opportunities

Rubberchikken

you don't need to work as a nurse in a hospital environment. have you checked out positions in gp's surgery/maybe considered agency work? a lot of nurses seem to be heading towards elderly care in peoples' homes. you get support from the office but are calling to people at different times/different days. seems to be something that suits a lot. also the hourly rate seems very good.

it has to be awful to have gone through such training to be something you are good at and have to then deal with petty nonsence from management and horrible behaviour from bullies.

good luck

LegacyUser

Hi! Thanks to everyone for al the helpful, hopeful and very encouraging replies. It was lovely to hear of a dad changing career at 48 and a mum going to college at 58 - maybe I'm not too old at all!

Re moving sideways - I'm a psychiatric nurse whose done a Masters in CAT Psychotherapy. I did some private practice - but found it was very difficult to build up - people would cancel if money was tight - even though I probably charged less than the going rate. I always kept part-time work as well as I had family commitments. However, I also feel disillusioned with therapy - feel that really what most people need is a good friend, and that some counsellors/psychotherapists may encourage people to keep going with all sorts of issues, when there may really be no need for it - I know I am doing myself out of a job here! I generally prefer to work in the public service as a therapist for these reasons. How I feel though about nursing/psychotherapy is probably just a measure of feeling burnt out with the whole lot - between the bullying and stress which seems to be endemic to nursing, and how front line staff such as nurses, of all grades, are treated, and how this impacts on patient care. As first post put it - expected to do more and more with less and less. At moment, I have completely lost any jizz for my career, for engaging in psychotherapy with clients - and feel I just want a break away from all of the 'head stuff' of my career to something more practical. If someone had said to me a year ago, that I would ever feel so disillusioned and uninterested in my career, I would have though they were joking. A year ago, I had thought of doing a Phd in an aspect of psychiatric nursing, something I had wanted to do for a long time, but now, not even that excites me any more. I am thinking of using a career service like pinpoint/John Deely - maybe that would get me enthusiastic again.

cath4711

Hi. Lots of us have been in your situation and lots still are. You are not alone that is for sure. It takes courage to change direction and it takes time. Listen to yourself, inside, to your intuition. You know best what will be right for you. Talking to a coach could support you and kick start you into making changes. Have you considered that? Coaching can move you forward. If it interests you, let me know as I have contacts with professional coaches and with trainee coaches (who are offering free coaching sessions in early 2017). All the very best Cath

Rhinohippo

If the new job is in a different hospital, try not to obsess about bullying, put it behind you and try to make a fresh start, in a new and changed working environment. If you are worried about bullying before you even start, perhaps you need some support? The idea of a practice nurse also seems like a good idea or perhaps retraining as an SNA or other field. Hope it all works out for you.

Have you considered taking a rest? If you can afford to do so it might be nice to take six months off and recover from the burnout. Then you might have a clearer idea of what you want, and feel refreshed enough to pursue it.

castaway_lady

Have you considered working as a nurse tutor in further education training the likes of pre-nursing course students or for some of the private companies that do healthcare assistant courses?

Ursus Horribilis

I can't find the thread now (it was in Work & Jobs) but the OP was still considering going back to her old job in the last day or two. Hopefully she won't because after what I read in her two threads, it was bound to end in tears. Again.

Taltos

Mod Note
Post deleted. Remember per our charter it's not the done thing to ask for updates.

dersawazzie

Hi just thought I'd give my little story. Trained as an engineer and worked in that industry for about 18 years. Moved home and took the first job offered to me , nothing to do with my training but moving home in the recession I just wanted to work.

Whilst this job paid my bills and kept me here, and our heads above water it was a soul destroying job. At the age of 43 I thought my days were numbered in terms of a new career.

6 weeks ago I got a new chance and took it. It has enlivened me, I'm a new man. I'm not saying what to do, but my experience is at my age, I take this opportunity with every limb I have.

Good luck to you and your family.

JuliusCaesar

Hi OP,

the first thing to do is learn how to deal with any incipient bullying and stop it in its tracks, to ensure it NEVER happens to you again.

Because bullying happens in all occupations and walks of life, not just in healthcare.


Don't let your life be dictated to by other people (the bullies), don't let them force you out of a job you loved.


If you could take some Assertiveness training, to help you stand up for yourself right from the beginning, so that the bullies realise they cannot bully you, you win - in whatever job or occupation you want. Most healthcare employers will fund this kind of training because they signed up to Dignity in the Workplace.


.

Rhinohippo

Hi Op. I'm sorry to hear you have been through a difficult time. One bit of advice is that you must try not to see yourself as an eternal victim. A friend of mine had a difficult past. When she began working, she felt that she was being bullied. She has moved jobs, numerous times since but each and everywhere she has worked, she has complained about bullying. I am not, for one minute comparing your situation but just telling about somebody else whom a change of jobs did not work for and she has become a serial victim, regardless of where she works. Changing jobs is not always the right answer, unless you are sure you can move on and let the past behind you. I hope you can. Best wishes.

Mollyb2017

Hi there

I have just read your post and I too have been nursing a long time. I have thought about setting up a home care business? Would that interest you or do you want a complete change? It's not easy with family commitments etc, but life is too short to stay in a career that is making you ill.

Mystery Egg

Mystery Egg wrote: »

Have you considered taking a rest? If you can afford to do so it might be nice to take six months off and recover from the burnout. Then you might have a clearer idea of what you want, and feel refreshed enough to pursue it.

This, if you can afford it. 48 leaves you with 22 or so years left before you retire (every government is determined to increase retirement age so don't be surprised if retirement age is 73 when you retire). That's a long time. I know somebody who retrained as a lifecoach when they retired at 60 and they've had a remarkably successful career for the past 9 years (using their existing experience and contacts to train/advise key employees, mediate in corporate conflicts and so forth).

Sit down for a few hours and write down all your talents, then your experience, then what in life makes you happy to do. Then write down what you'd like to do. You have a whole world of people and perspectives who have been/are where you are now at your fingertips online. You will definitely get ideas and confidence from realising all the professions former hospital nurses enter.

LimerickSports

hey op, i know how it feels to be bullied at work, im sorry you have to go through that, i had to leave a job because of that before. i know people say to be assertive etc, but in alot of circumstances these people wont change, and you notice that the managers except this behaviour and its part of the job so to speak, its not like this in all jobs, im currently working in a place where the staff are always kind and supportive and it makes a huge difference, i hope i will never work in a place where bullying and putting people down is the norm, as people have said been a chef is a fast paced job, and the headchef and others may get angry and bullying can occur. but if thats what you want to do you should go for it. also im just finished a level 5 course and alot of people in my class are in there 40's and they are going back to do degrees, so its never too late to go for what you want. im nearly 30 now and not sure what i want, so just take your time to find your passion and if your lucky enough to find something go for it

Rhinohippo

Haven't heard an update from the OP. Hope things are improving?