By James X. Stobinski
James X. Stobinski
Often in this column I write on some pretty substantive matters to include recent trends in American health care and research findings pertinent to nurses. That will not be the case this month and you will not find references to recent journal articles in this column. Many of the readers of this publication are likely much like me, an experienced perioperative nurse with many years in the field. A recent conversation with another veteran colleague caused me to reflect on my career and what lies ahead. I would like to share some thoughts here.
The Baby Boomers, and I am squarely in that group, have long made up a sizable portion of the American nursing workforce. These are the nurses who were born between 1945 and 1965. But, as a group, we are now slowly ageing out and either working less hours or leaving nursing all together. The exit of Boomers from the American nursing workforce will have a profound impact. On the flip side, is the impact that Boomers face upon leaving the workforce.
While leaving nursing can be stressful, it also offers some opportunities. Two colleagues recently posted on social media that they had earned their graduate degrees after leaving full-time nursing. What an amazing achievement and a testament to what is possible. There are other possibilities in the education field if we expand our perspective. Nurse educators remain sorely needed and there are ample opportunities especially for those who can teach clinical nursing care. Schedules can be very flexible for these instructors and the years of experience that veteran nurses bring is a tremendous asset.
I will admit that it is not always easy to get hired into a faculty role but once hired it can be an enriching experience. I still teach at three universities and upon transitioning away from full-time nursing I have been able to take on additional courses and spend more time with my students. There is also now more time to serve on doctoral committees both as a member and as a chairperson. There are still relatively few Ph.D.-prepared perioperative nurses and if we are to grow that community, we need committee members with perioperative nursing experience.
Previous columns have also spoken of the benefits of volunteer work. This is one of the most gratifying experiences for me at this point in my career. My main source of volunteer work is now with Project C.U.R.E. near my home. Many years of working with medical and surgical supplies is very useful in sorting and packaging medical equipment and supplies in the Denver warehouse. I have also met some great, dedicated volunteers who had not previously worked in health care. Volunteer work is one area not severely impacted by ageism; the majority of my fellow volunteers have many years in the workforce.
With less hours at work, I have been able to catch up on home repairs and renovations which had long been delayed. My wife and I also recently took a short vacation, and I was able to see all my siblings for the first time in years. Long hours in the OR had kept me from those family visits, but it was a joy to see my brothers and sisters this summer. These are the sorts of opportunities which present when the schedule gets lighter. I cannot promise that leaving nursing is an easy process, but there are many potential benefits. If you are in that transition phase in your career embrace it and be open to all the opportunities out there.
– James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR, CSSM(E), CNAMB(E), is a senior perioperative consultant with National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA).
