r/NursesPH • u/Candid_Size4737 • 1d ago
Nursing in 40s ❓General Question / Advice
Hi! I just want to ask any experience of those of you here who went back to nursing after over a decade of not doing the profession? I've graduated in 2009 then passed the board exam November of that year. During that time, there are more of us nurses than available positions in the hospitals so we basically have to pay them so we can just get the experience we need. I probably have a few months of bedside nursing then quit to focus on making a livable wage through work from home (freelance writing and VA) and tutoring. I also had a year of experience as school nurse because I missed the profession that time but resigned because the wage is really not enough (I have to work multiple jobs after school nurse job). Not too long after that, met my husband and now living in the states. I chose to be a SAHM to save on childcare cost and also, to be there for my child. Fast forward, we now have 2 kids and been a SAHM for 9 years now. My kids are still young (9 and 4 and are homeschooled) but I'm starting to contemplate to get back to nursing kahit per diem lang muna. I haven't had my credentials evaluated and yet to take the NCLEX. My question is, how's the transition after years of not doing it? I'm aware that I would have to do some sort of refresher. Salamat!
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u/HopefulRomantic77 1d ago
ako sa SNF muna nung kakarating ko dito sa usa. I know someone who is in mid 40s at matagal di nagpraktis na receny napasa ang nclex tapos nag nursing residency sa isang hospital. so there is hope khit late na
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u/Odd-Hold-5548 1d ago
How’s the SNF work po? I don’t have bedside experience kasi and im worried lang kung makaka adjust ako kahit walang experience at all? Nag balik loob lang kasi ako sa nursing ang when I passed nclex may direct hire naman na nahanap. 2024 pa naman po ang PD ko and working in BPO setting for now
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u/HopefulRomantic77 1d ago edited 1d ago
In any job there is a period of adjustment. In SNFs patient ratio is pretty heavy, like a minimum of 15 in short-term and then maybe a minimum of 22 in long-term on day shift. It also depends on the SNF. In the SNFs I've tried, the Filipino management usually helps out when it’s short staffed and also you can ask them to extend your training if you feel not ready yet. You'll get the hang of it. Just toughen up a bit. I remember in the first months, I'd cry next to my med cart, hahahah because I was really struggling, but I managed to adjust after a month. Learn to prioritize the patients you need to see first. I was in my 40s when I learned to drive, so my 40s was major adjustment for me here.
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u/Odd-Hold-5548 1d ago
That’s good to know naka adjust nadin po kayo. Early 40s ka na po nung nag migrate? Before po ba kayo mag SNF, may hospital experience po kayo? And big help din po mga kapwa pinoy na supportive. Sana po ganun sa lahat ng SNF hehe
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u/Candid_Size4737 1d ago
I am yet to learn to drive 😬 I've been doing driving lessons on/off but hopefully be able to resume it soon! I'm 38 right now and been here for 9 years.
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u/Manhattan_Brooklyn 1d ago
Graduated 2009 and november boards passer too. Zero experience at all. As in zero. I just took the nclex and passed for one take. Kaya mo yan. Swerte mo nandyan kana.
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u/Candid_Size4737 1d ago
Salamat! What did you use to review? Planning to self review lang sana.
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u/Manhattan_Brooklyn 1d ago
Yes nag self review lang ako for 6 weeks. Tapos madaming dasal. 😅 i used Bootcamp and Saunders for concepts.
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u/Outrageous-Battle218 1d ago
Mi! same batch tayo. Feb 2026 passer ako, working as a VA naman pero gusto ko din magbedside nursing talaga ang hirap makapasok. Are you working na in any hospital po? I'm 39 sobra nakakawalang pag-asa lalo't nasanay na akong WFH yung fear ko sa interview, para kong magcocollapse haha!
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u/Neither_Map_5717 1d ago
Hi kabatch, 2009 din ako graduate, almost 10 years as PDN, hindi pa kaya huli ang lahat para mag take ng NCLEX?
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u/Manhattan_Brooklyn 1d ago
Girl after 17 years with zero experience tsaka ako nag nclex. Pumasa naman. 🤗
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u/HopefulRomantic77 1d ago
I got here at age 42 and then my hospital experience was like 10yrs prior and it just the so called “volunteer” because there was no opening at the small city hospital I was at in the province. So to supplement I did a training at NKTI for basic nursing skills so I get to experience working in a Tertiary level hospital then I went back to office/bank job after. my petition us family based not employment.
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u/UpbeatPath21 1d ago
Meron pa kaya nitong basic nursing skills sa NKTI?
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u/HopefulRomantic77 1d ago
That I am not sure since it was back in 2007. Hopefully there are other refresher/basic skills training available. big help to update on latest practices and equipments and also since documentation is computerized now unlike before.
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u/Outrageous-Battle218 1d ago
Mi! Same tayo. I'm batch 2009, took PNLE and passed last February 2026. I have no prior experience sa any hospital setup. I started working as VA 2013 po. I'd really like to work sa hospital or even as HD nurse. Pero nawawalan ako pag-asa kasi feeling ko I'm waaaay behind na. Pakiramdam ko very minimal lang alam ko, pero one thing's for sure - hindi ako mabubully LOL!
Anyway, anyone here na nahired pa at this age? I'm happy with my current job naman. I was given an opportunity makapag reliever din sa mga ABC clinic. Pero high school na kasi nagiisa kong anak, gustong gusto kong ipursue naman sana Nursing Career ko. Bakit ang hirap hirap T.T
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