Retirement in the nursing field. - Page 8

Yes, I know several people, including myself, that love their jobs! Saying that 70 year old's are not hiring material is just BS...Please do not put us in our graves before we are ready.
60 and loving it!

I agree. For myself at least. If I can't do the job, I hope I don't have to do the job. That's why I'm looking to get out of nursing at the bedside, as much as I actually love what I do. (Most days, some days I'm ready to escape asap.)
But...
We have to work around our coworkers' limitations. Some because they're "old and slow." Some because they're too overweight to get around. (I'm overweight, but have a coworker that has weight issues that really limit her mobility.) Some are just dumb. Some because they're YOUNG AND PREGNANT and refuse to lift or take a patient with anything the least bit infectious.

Point being: If we're going to start mandating retirement, then let's mandate people not come to work when there's anything at all "wrong" with them, including pregnancy, since some of my coworkers have acted more disabled being pregnant than my old and slow or overweight coworkers or even my ACTUALLY DISABLED coworkers.

It's kind of the, "I didn't say anything when they came for my neighbors, so nobody to say anything when they come for me."
Watch what you wish for, you just might get it, and get it yourself too.

I don't mean to "dis" anyone who is over 50, etc( thats about where I am in age). Maybe it's just regional. I know I have a problem hauling the 600 lb ers up in bed,dodging hits from the confused/drug/etoh people, obnoxious litigious families. I'd hate to see someone in their 70's dealing with these things.

Just so I don't appear completely ignorant- my great aunt volunteered at the community hospital until she was 92. But this was back in the 70's- back when people weren't such jerks, and actually slightly respectful of others. This me me me mentality and "I don't care if a code is going on, I'm more important" BS wasnt so rampant as it is now.I seriously doubt she would be able to do this stuff now, and be safe or not disgusted bt the current society.

Aside from that,I do know that people over 40 are not finding jobs of ANY kind (even non-nursing) in my area. Actually, ironically, nursing jobs are one of the few jobs that ARE available in my area.Sure it's due to the high turnover.This is partly why I stay put in a job I abhor.I could go elsewhere; It would be same sheet , different day.

I want to go back to school for something else, but even with a new degree, at my age, no one will hire me.

As a nurse who has worked in the OR for 30 years, I think we should have the option to retire after 30 years. Teachers are allowed to retire after 30 years of service. My job is physically demanding and I don't know how much longer I can do this. I love my job but I do have trouble hearing and it's really hard to get on the floor and lift the heavy trays. I don't think any person should have to work over 62 unless they want to. I would like to enjoy the years I have left on earth. My institution doesn't honor seniority so getting time off is very difficult esp. being understaffed.

I think that all nurses responsible for safety and care of patients , should be evaluated and judged on their performance, not their age I have been a nurse 40 yrs (58 yrs old) and I sure can keep up with the younger nurses.

I've seen it. We had a nurse well into her mid 60's that never sat down and was ALWAYS, ALWAYS way ahead of any younger nurses.

Please don't generalize.

So basically, should age alone be a requirement for retirement?

Simple answer: No.

As per others' comments, ability to give safe care is not determined by age, but rather by a multitude of factors. Physically, we older nurses may need more help pushing a bed, but we are also your great resource for challenging situations as we often have "been there, done that" before. It is a trade off.

Yes, I am dog-tired after a busy 12 hour shift...but so is everyone else.
Yes, I will probably need hearing aides in <5 years...but so what?
Yes, I wear glasses...but I've been wearing them since age 9!
Yes, I am aware I may not have the best memory...but I've been writing myself notes for 30 years: I LOVE post-its!
Yes, my math skills are awful and I want to have med dosages double-checked with another RN...but I've done this for 30+ years of nursing for patient safety...I flunked Algebra I and barely passed my other math classes, so this is nothing new.
Yes, I appreciate help turning patients and pushing beds...but so do my co-workers!

Do I probably spend more time on my days off "recuperating" than my 20+ year old peers? Yup, I'm positive I do!

Would I like to retire at 65? You bet! I'd love to have time to do more volunteer work, spend time with family, travel, etc.

Can I retire at 65? Nope. I am the sole support of my family, as well as contributing to the expenses of my children and their children on occasion.
Can I retire at 65? Nope. I have NO retirement plan, per se. And my measly 401 K won't last two years. Too many expenses raising a family kept me from major contributions to my own savings. Most teachers, police, firefighters and other service professionals have some kind of retirement plan. My friends who taught in New York have a comfortable life of retirement. I will be moving into my car!

Please do NOT judge people by their age, any more than you would by their color, their religion, etc.

I need my job til at least age 70!

I wasn't referring to your specific situation.I'm guessing you have a job currently. I just was saying that because of the current job markets, people in their 50's are not getting hired- I would imagine in your 70's would be even harder to get hired.

Hey-- try starting your own business at 50+. At least that's worked out so far. But retirement? In my dreaaaaammmmmsss.

I Am a new nurse with only 4 mos experience on the job. There are nurses who were working for 15-20 years when I was BORN who are still working now.Their experience is crazy - they've seen so much and yes are able to do wound treatments etc a lot faster than me. Age does not correlate with good nursing practice.

There are also nurses with 10+ years experience who don't care, don't follow protocols etc. Just because they have ten years on me doesn't mean they give better care than i do. It goes both ways !