Age Discrimination in Nursing? How Old is "Too Old?"

rabbitgirrl · Jan 24, 2009

That comment illustrates age discrimination! For your information, retirement age is 65, and may be extended to 70, since people age better these days. Granted, "senior" moments occur seldom to frequently as we age, which could be the case with "some of the nurses" you mentioned...
In all occupations, it would be great if retirement planning was recommended, but for most it's not financially possible in this country wherein pensions in the hands of employers went south years ago (as has health insurance).
Other countries' governments handle that very efficiently, just as health care is, elsewhere. Here our fear of government mismanagement and higher taxes has prevented oldtimers from surviving with self esteem intact. Pity!
Our only satisfaction lies in the realization that...you will find yourselves in our shoes, eventually. :chuckle

Thank you! Well said, I couldn't agree with you more!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2009

Job performance is best judged on its own merits, not age. However, what if a person's advanced age is a factor in their declining job performance? I think many of us can think of examples of older nurses that perhaps shouldn't be working the floor any longer. I certainly do not want to be working the floor when I am 65, 70, 80.

I think there ought to be mentoring programs in place for older nurses who cannot, for whatever reasons, retire, be they fiduciary or a need to stay busy or what have you. These older nurses could serve to assist new grads learn policy and procedures, solve problems, and develop their nursing practice.

caliotter3 · Jan 24, 2009

I've met several nurses in their 70's. Not one of them showed poor job performance, but I could fill books and books listing the mistakes, poor performance, and attitudinal problems of people on the other end of the age spectrum. I suspect that the next nurse in her 70's that I meet will also be outperforming her/his younger co-workers.

Maggie5194 · Jan 24, 2009

Weel Folks...I'm 66 y/o and retired as soon as I could get my social security ! However, as I am an active woman, with good skills, I chose to work 4 days a month. I work for a local Skilled Care facility 10 p.m til 6 a.m. every other Sat/Sun.

I've had ZERO age discrimination. However, I have ALWAYS worked in this field. Most of the "older" nurses here work nocs. Frankly, it's easier on our bodies AND our minds!

Working a small amt. feeds my need to stay informed and of value. It doesn't pay much, so I use it for my "fun" needs. Maggie

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 24, 2009

I plan to keep working (in one capacity or another) until I am 75. And I am not joking. We had planned for retirement, but have taken quite a hit with the stock market crash. May not have enough time to recover. Also doubt that most government social programs will still be solvent or sufficient for all the aging boomers (of which I am part). Working now on staying healthy! I will need my good health to last well into "old age."

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 24, 2009

My 2 retired RN's (over 65) have always been top performers who love nursing + follow through on issues. Working 2 days per week, they out perform FT staff who are in their late 50's. Just yesterday we celebrated E.'s 75 birthday -- she worked 4 days this week filling in for vacation.

Virgo RN said it best: Job performance is best judged on its own merits, not age.

Using US Governments retirement calculator, I get full benefits at 66.2, expect to continue work at least part time afterwards to maximize the brain cells and maximize retirement income since parents in 80's and grandmothers lived well into their 90's.

Retirement Information
Click on your year of birth to determine your full retirement age. ... also includes a Retirement Estimator and Benefit Calculators that help you calculate

Currently, those born after 1960 receive full retirement SSI benefits at age 67...expect to see that adjusted upward.

sunray12 · Jan 24, 2009

I plan to keep working (in one capacity or another) until I am 75. And I am not joking. We had planned for retirement, but have taken quite a hit with the stock market crash. May not have enough time to recover. Also doubt that most government social programs will still be solvent or sufficient for all the aging boomers (of which I am part). Working now on staying healthy! I will need my good health to last well into "old age."

There's a thread someplace on all nurses where someone posted about a nurse she knows who is 86 and still working. I plan to work in some function or another of nursing for as my brain is functioning and hopefully my brain will keep functioning for the rest of my life. I know 60 something's who are retired and no longer working and truthfully they seem bored and are floundering as compared to the 60 and older somethings I know who are working. The way I see it - this is not a question of having or not having enough of a retirement fund - it's a question of having purpose and structure in your life. Some people retire then do nothing but sit home and watch tv most of the time - if your health fails and you have no choice in the matter that's one thing but I can't myself see volunteering for that.

oramar · Jan 24, 2009

Job performance is best judged on its own merits, not age. However, what if a person's advanced age is a factor in their declining job performance? I think many of us can think of examples of older nurses that perhaps shouldn't be working the floor any longer. I certainly do not want to be working the floor when I am 65, 70, 80.
I think there ought to be mentoring programs in place for older nurses who cannot, for whatever reasons, retire, be they fiduciary or a need to stay busy or what have you. These older nurses could serve to assist new grads learn policy and procedures, solve problems, and develop their nursing practice.

Not to many jobs like that. If there were I would be doing one of them. Maybe nursing ought to have decent pension plans then they would not be working so often so long. Truth is when I compare my husband union plumbing pensions(yes, he has more than one and all of them are excellent) with what nursing offers, nursing comes off as pitiful.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jan 24, 2009

I vote for contining to work at least part time. As a new nurse starting practice at 48 I can easily expect to be productive at 67. My plan is to become an NP and also work as a teacher to keep myself fresh and involved with life.

lamazeteacher · Jan 24, 2009

Job performance is best judged on its own merits, not age. However, what if a person's advanced age is a factor in their declining job performance? I think many of us can think of examples of older nurses that perhaps shouldn't be working the floor any longer. I certainly do not want to be working the floor when I am 65, 70, 80.
I think there ought to be mentoring programs in place for older nurses who cannot, for whatever reasons, retire, be they fiduciary or a need to stay busy or what have you. These older nurses could serve to assist new grads learn policy and procedures, solve problems, and develop their nursing practice.

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Well, it depends on the nurse of advanced age's experience and education, and the facility's budget, whether assisting new grads is appropriate. From what I've seen on some threads at allnurses.com, a remedial ethics course needs to be taught some practising nurses........

I don't want special consideration or charity, for the sake of my self esteem.

Since I've had considerable knee pain in the past 15 years (since the age of 55), floor duty hasn't been appropriate for me. Luckily I have the education and experience to get administrative jobs in IC and Employee Health. Unfortunately age discrimination while I held those positions was rampant after I reached 55, due to the escalation of premiums for employees over 55 by healthcare insurance companies ($1,000/month). Then when Medicare eligible, some insurance companies (Blue Cross and its subsidiaries) refuse to allow that to be the primary insurer and elevate premiums further (over $2500/month).

So I'm a resistant retired person who would love to continue part time Home Health nursing when my health permits (I've hit a snag with anemia recently). I'd also like to be part of the solution for the change to

"universal" health care, by participating in planning for that. If you know Senator Daschle or Dr. Gupta.......

leslie :-D · Jan 24, 2009

anyone that knows me, will know that i honor our eldery folks.

so please do not misconstrue the following.

but age-related deficits happen.

i am particularly thinking of 3 older people i know, that have had their drivers licenses taken away.

so while i do not want to assume motor or cognitive impairment across the board, it is pervasive enough that it's not unreasonable to anticipate.

we need to be able to address concerns (regardless of age) w/o being accused of being discriminatory.

so how do we handle these facts of life, w/o infringing on one's constitutional rights?

leslie