Ageism in Nursing

Nurse Beth, MSN

Barbara, a nurse of 27 years, left her job interview with the strong feeling that they were not going to "be in touch". She was dismayed because it had taken several applications to land one interview. Her skills were solid and her work history exemplary until her hospital had recently laid off Barbara (an educator), a clinical nurse specialist, and the manager of Cath Lab in one fell swoop of "re-organizing". The 3 were all over fifty years old and Barbara wondered if that was a coincidence.

Ageism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's age. While many Baby Boomers are retiring, the retirement age is rising and many people will need to remain in the workforce at an older age. Full Social Security benefits start at age 66 years and 2 months for those born in 1955.

Ageism is Acceptable

People can no more choose their age that they can choose their race or gender. The difference is that while race and gender do not change, everyone who lives long enough will age.

Even so, while it's not politically correct to be racist or sexist, it's still OK to be ageist.

Ageism is deeply permeated in our society and expressed everywhere- in magazines, on TV, in the workplace. It's a part of our shared consciousness in the United States to value youth over age. Since it's the norm, many are not even aware of how ageist our culture is...until they experience it.

Many of us are guilty of remarks such as "She's pretty sharp for her age" and "I'm having a senior moment" without realizing such comments perpetuate a commonly held negative view of seniors. Birthday parties after a certain age are a good example. Black balloons symbolize the perceived tragedy of growing older.

Even those who pride themselves on being tolerant and inclusive may see the elderly as "others" who are burdensome and a drain on the economy. Cultural diversity and acceptance is now the norm- with the exception of ageism.

Ageism and Gender

Women, in particular, lose a great deal of perceived value once they exceed their childbearing years.

Unlike women, aging men are given a pass and can still be considered attractive, especially if they are wealthy and powerful.

Ageism and Occupation

Judy, a nurse of 27 years, began to notice that she didn't feel as valued on the unit as she once did. She recalled hearing the expression "feeling invisible" and realized she was beginning to understand it. At the same time, doctors the same age as her seemed to grow in authority and respect.

A recent study shows that physicians are less likely to experience ageism than nurses. One explanation is that physicians are seen as experts, while nurses are not. Experts are allowed to age without discrimination.

Ageism in the Workplace

Signs of ageism in the workplace include:

Not being included in conversation. Seniors are often assumed to be culturally clueless.
Frequently being asked "When are you going to retire?”
Being passed over for promotions. Promoting a young, relatively inexperienced nurse to charge nurse over a mature, seasoned nurse.
Being pushed out of the workforce. Older nurses are more expensive and are pushed out in many cases. This despite the fact they are less likely than younger nurses to get their NP and leave after 2 years.

Ageism and Hiring

No one likes to be stereotyped, whether it's men or women, millennials or seniors. Baby boomers are not all the same anymore than millenials are all the same.

Common generalizations about older workers are that they are less healthy, will incur more medical costs, are less skilled, and do not learn as fast as their younger counterparts.

The biggest workplace discrimination is in hiring. Some organizations have an unwritten policy against hiring anyone over 40. Computer algorithms are used to figure out an applicant's age, even when graduation dates are omitted and work histories shortened. Even first names are a giveaway- everyone knows Linda, Kathy, Sue were born in the '60s, while Tiffany, Jessica, and Amber are millennials.

One strategy to eliminate older workers is to eliminate their position, only to rename the position or slightly change the responsibilities and open it back up...to a younger applicant.

To combat ageism, applicants need to know how to showcase their value and combat age discrimination in the job interview.

The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 protects employees 40 years old and older but age discrimination is a hidden discrimination that is difficult to impossible to prove.

Ageism is a Choice

Aging is a normal process of living and is experienced differently by everyone. Aging is not a choice, but ageism is.

Diversity benefits us all. Diversity helps us celebrate what we have in common, respect our differences, and connect in surprising ways.

It is very satisfying to work on a multi-generational team where everyone is respected. Many new nurses do value the knowledge, experience and wisdom older nurses have, and depend on them for guidance. Likewise, seasoned nurses are inspired by the passion and ideals of new grads.

Refusing to perpetuate ageism benefits not only the current generation, but the next. Valuing each other makes us all better humans-humans who are all on the same journey of life.