[QUOTE=shodobe;6672205]Almost 60 and still working like a fool. It also helps to have a skill in areas that are hard to staff, like me in the OR. I have 35 years in the OR that can't be readliy matched by a newbie, just because they make way less than I. I still outwork and outthink the youngsters and cover way more call than I should, like today. So obtaining skills that are hard to replace make you very marketable and hard to get rid of. Just don't lock yourself on that Med/Surg floor for 20 or so years because you CAN be replaced.[/QUOTE
I find that comment a bit insulting. Since you have 35 yrs of OR experience, when was the last time you even worked a med/surg floor?
Any nurse, anywhere can be replaced. I saw it happen to my friend. 20 yrs in OR, now scrambling to find a job. No real just cause. She worked a non union facility and one day she was let go.
As for us Med/Surg nurses, like any SPECIALTY, keep yourself current on education and then some. Become certified. Get yourself involved in 'behind the scenes' work with the fluffy stuff as one poster called it. Make yourself known. Help develop policies..anything to make yourself invaluable. Does it make you invincible? No, but it helps.
I have made myself a nice little niche on a Med/Surg floor, same as a couple of co workers. We are highly involved in the running of the floor. I have put myself out there to learn how my floor works to the point I do a lot of managerial stuff for my boss when he needs extra help. We are certified and we are always involved in committees.
Jul 6, '12 by tokmom[QUOTE=shodobe;6672205]Almost 60 and still working like a fool. It also helps to have a skill in areas that are hard to staff, like me in the OR. I have 35 years in the OR that can't be readliy matched by a newbie, just because they make way less than I. I still outwork and outthink the youngsters and cover way more call than I should, like today. So obtaining skills that are hard to replace make you very marketable and hard to get rid of. Just don't lock yourself on that Med/Surg floor for 20 or so years because you CAN be replaced.[/QUOTE
Jul 7, '12 by Susie2310To everyone who replied: Thank you for sharing your insights and experience. You have all given me a lot to think about.
Jul 12, '12 by DebCRNBSNI'm am an older nurse who has been the profession for 36 years. Five years ago I went back to school and got my BSN. Now I am applying to get into an MSN program. I am a clinical coach on my unit (orients new employees) and was a Super User when Epic was started at my hospital. Any nurse has to prove to the manager that they valuable to the unit reguardless of their age. As for older nurses being resistant to change, change has always been a part of nursing. Documentation, ways we do clinical care, the way we dress, and many other aspects have changed over the years. Older nurses are adaptable because they are use to change. My advise to older nurses is to hang in there, learn all that you can, and make yourself useful to your unit. The patients and the newer staff need your wisdom.