Problems with the aging nurses

[RNGriffin]

Hello Community!

While this post may seem a little insensitive for some, others can totally relate. I shouldn't have to verbalize "age has nothing to do with the ability to do the job". But, as of recently the aging nursing population has refused to step down from the high paced work place environment when they clearly can see they're no longer fit to run with the 20-late 50's crowd. This is not to say some beyond their late 50s aren't able to hold their own, but I have a charge nurse who is well into her 70s who refuses to stand too long, assist patients with immobility issues, hell**excuse me** she refuses to work with patients with anything cardi related.

The question is: when will nurses accept like with any other field you have to know when your body has had enough of the? While we need nurses, of course, are we that desperate that we place the burden on others to ration with the census?

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

Come on, I have something for you. I am 64 years old. And on your best day, and I mean your very best day, you couldn't carry my running shoes to the track.

I can do your EKG, read it, start your IV in one shot, move you over, draw your labs, call your doctor, hang your cardiac drips, put down your NG tube, push you to Xray, and do a full body assessment before you get your cute little ghastly flowered scrub top on. And I can do that while caring for my other seven patient

[RNGriffin]

It's comical how in my original post I clearly stated "this does not apply too all nurses" nor was it a stereotype, but speaking a specific working demographic who are unable to perform the physical duties of the job. I think deciphering should be used before making a conclusion from the message.

I apologize to anyone who took this as an insult.

[RNGriffin]

Come on, I have something for you. I am 64 years old. And on your best day, and I mean your very best day, you couldn't carry my running shoes to the track.

I can do your EKG, read it, start your IV in one shot, move you over, draw your labs, call your doctor, hang your cardiac drips, put down your NG tube, push you to Xray, and do a full body assessment before you get your cute little ghastly flowered scrub top on. And I can do that while caring for my other seven patient

I would be cautious of the battles you choose. You never know who's on the opposite end of the computer..Good day!

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

This is very simple. If you have an aged coworker who is an actual danger to patients, write it up. Repeatedly. But do not, I repeat DO NOT open your mouth and say a single word about it to anyone, ever. Write up what you observe with your own two eyes, offer to help if you see lives at risk of course, and then just go on with your work. In short, keep your nose clean and let HR sort it out.

[workingharder]

I'm kind of in a quandary here. I'm a new nurse who's also well, let's just say that the light I see at the end of the tunnel is probably St.Peter's Maglite.

I really don't know which side of the argument I should take.

Dang kids, got me all befuddled now.

[TheMediaLies]

"but i have a charge nurse who is well into her 70s who refuses to stand too long, assist patients with immobility issues, hell**excuse me** she refuses to work with patients with anything cardi related.

the question is: when will nurses accept like with any other field you have to know when your body has had enough of the? while we need nurses, of course, are we that desperate that we place the burden on others to ration with the census? but i have a charge nurse who is well into her 70s who refuses to stand too long, assist patients with immobility issues, hell**excuse me** she refuses to work with patients with anything cardi related.

the question is: when will nurses accept like with any other field you have to know when your body has had enough of the? while we need nurses, of course, are we that desperate that we place the burden on others to ration with the census? "

sounds like she needs to get into case management or something. you also have to realize that there's a recession going on since 2008. these baby boomer nurses aren't going anywhere.

[TheMediaLies]

"feb 6 by been there,done that as a nurse in her 60's i feel qualified to comment. i can run with the best of 'em.

when i no longer can.. i would never expect special treatment."

you're funny. you're in your 60s and you have madonna as your avatar. wait a minute, madonna is 50....okay.

[TheMediaLies]

"feb 6 by netglow i get ya op, but here is some caution for you.

do you actually think that somehow this employee has missed the notice of your employer? nope, not likely. they know her limitations. that right there is your caution. there is a reason she's still there. maybe she has something to offer, maybe not. maybe she is there by the order of someone in your organization, and, it won't matter what you've got a problem with, she stays. "

politics as usual.

[TheMediaLies]

One of the best nurses I ever worked with was 76 years old.

Yup. I'm in my late 30s and I used to work with a nurse who was in her 70s and she was awesome.

[LynnLRN]

I am in my 20's and I am already trying to plan for my future, knowing that as I age physically I will not be able to handle acute care. Especially in this day and age, the nurse load is not going to get any smaller. Also, anxiety wise I think I will be a lot more anxious in stat situations when I'm older. I have noticed among my older peers that they have the knowledge and the ability to care for the patients but they do not handle the high-stress very well (I don't mean codes, I mean 5 patients and lots of tasks). You can come on the unit and take one look at them and it just raises the stress of the whole unit (especially when they are in charge). This is not good period.

I feel like this is a common problem among us Americans. People do not prepare for the future. As this relates to nursing these older nurses are now "stuck" in acute care because they can't afford to retire or do not have a different skill set or education for a less physically strenuous position. What were they thinking 40 years ago????

This is a very hard situation because you respect these nurses (and know one day this could very well be you) however it makes a hard job even harder when you have to pick up others slack.

[RNGriffin]

If it has been misconstrued as me telling the older nurses to leave the workforce, then obviously some lack decipherment skills. I clearly stated, as the nurses grow older and are able to perform the physical duties required for some units, possibly a slower pace unit should come into context. I would never encourage anyone to forfeit their careers, as I never plan on retiring. There are certain units that require more physical work than others, and my unit happens to be one of those units.

I can't reiterate the intentions of this post enough. When is it time for older nurses to leave the ICU, ER, Neurology etc. wards and move to a more relaxed setting. Clearly I was speaking of the aging nurses that lack the agility to perform the job duties within their respect roles. I guess this is a topic that some will agree to disagree upon, seeing as many of the nurses here feel the younger generation are incapable of obtaining the skill set they presently have. There are many capable nurses beyond 60- and there are many capable nurses who are just not capable to physically withstand the demand of certain positions any longer. So before it has been taken any further, topic dismissed. It's clear this has touched a nerve of some...

[TheMediaLies]

"There but for the Grace of God Go I".

Someday you will be that nurse. Unable to retire because the profession you have devoted your life to repays you with no pension, no benefits, no nest egg. Forced into poverty on a system you have paid into your entire life that provides you with enough to either be hungry of have medical care and medicine and live below poverty level. Forced to try to rebuild that nest egg that took a life time to accumulate.......that you were forced by the government and you employer to put into the stock market to have it lost to the click of a mouse because of the greed and amoral behavior of a select wealthy few and corrupt government. .

What major hospital doesn't offer a pension after you've vested? If you work in a SNF or a convalescent hospital, you should have been looking to transfer to a hospital while you were young enough to do it. I started off in long term back in the early 90s and got out when opportunity knocked. As for no nest egg for retirement, who's fault is that?