Where are the middle age nurses working?

[RedRobin8]

Hi all, I have been a second career nurse going on five years now. Love the field, have been in two different hospitals with a great resume full of well-rounded experience and references. My concern is more social than professional. Where are all the nurses around my age? (40's). I am guessing some move up into management, but I am still working on my BSN. I'm ready to settle into something long term, and would like to work where there is some social connections among staff. It's an odd feeling to discover that among so many 20 something's I could be socially irrelevant, since I am not currently dating via social media, drinking, planning a wedding or having babies. I'm viewed like the mom on the unit, but that makes for mostly one-sided conversations. It's an unfamiliar feeling to feel lonely in a crowd. ( I'm not a hermit, mind you, I am very active socially outside of work.). I'd love your suggestions.

[RedRobin8]

Thanks for each of your replies! A lot of good info for me to consider.

[ilbe]

I am 39 yr old and start with first year of RN. Half of my classmates are mature ages. In may case, I might not finish if I study in young age. Nursing needs lots of commitment and responsibilities. Thus mature ages could cover it up better than the young.

[Nola009]

I work at a small-town hospital and most of us are in our 30s or 40s.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am second career and 50. I work on an ortho unit where about 1/3 of us are over 40. I live too far away from work to socialize much, but age doesn't dictate who I "click" with.

[NightOwl0624]

I could have written your post!

I am in my late 40's and work acute care on a medical/oncology floor. Nearly all of the nurses on my unit are much younger than me. There are perhaps 3 nurses my age or older, but they are in different life situations than I am. I really feel like I have absolutely nothing in common with anyone that I work with!

While I enjoy most of my co-workers, there are a few that treat me like I am an irrelevant dinosaur. One young nurse refuses to learn my name, either calling me another "older nurse's" name or nothing at all. I have grown slightly weary of listening to everyone else's wedding plans or new baby stories, not to mention wild weekend plans.

I think I would enjoy work more if I had more in common with my fellow nurses. But then again, It is just a job.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

On my unit! I am a new grad at 44 and am another inpatient oncology nurse. We have a lot over the age of 40, and the younger ones are all married and pretty serious at this point. No partiers, other than us old wine drinkers.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Still in ICU, at the bedside. I'm almost 60, and most of my co-workers are 20s-30s. Lots of weddings and new babies. I just smile and pretend to be interested and let it all blow by me.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I'm 37 and work in home health. The vast majority of my colleagues are 50+.

[Caffeine_IV]

I'm not in your age group but I really enjoy having a variety of age groups for coworkers. One of my favorite nurses was around my mother's age and we often (along with another older nurse) had breakfast together to decompress after work. Great times! I have yet to find another group that I clicked with as well. Both of these nurse are retired now and I moved to another city.

As to your question, I found that hospice had a lot more older nurses. Most of my coworkers had grandchildren.

[Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm 53 and work in dialysis. I think this works mostly because I don't have family obligations and so can work the weird hours that acute dialysis demands. I don't have to cook or pick kids up from daycare or go to soccer games, so it's perfect for me.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

59 in home health PI positio. Our intake department average age is 55+, one is 80yo; field RN's 45-50+

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

59 in home health PI positio. Our intake department average age is 55+, one is 80yo; field RN's 45-50+

80? A nurse still nursing?