Aging Nurses - Where do we go?

Published

  1. Where should aging nurses go if they can't keep up with young, new grads?

    • 224
      Keep trying regular jobs
    • 130
      Retire
    • 336
      Start your own unique nursing business
    • 897
      Be vocal and suggest options
    • 166
      Change to a different career

1,753 members have participated

I am an aging nurse (50) who can't really keep up with the young new grads. Why can't there be a nurse company (or hospital or nursing home or staffing agency) that employs such nurses that will work for less money and do less stressful/multi-tasking nursing jobs? I mean we are still valuable. Seems like money and doing things in a rush are what employers want but everywhere is so short staffed. I don't mean to be disrespectful to anyone or anywhere; I just think we are resources that are not being utilized. Thoughts please?

Well, 50 is not old. I am 52 and have been an RN for 3 years. I work fine right along with the twenty something new grads..

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I'm only a few years from 50 and I can certainly keep up on a regular floor if I had the desire to.. But I paid my dues and don't wanna. :) I'd rather run five miles for fun than have to dash around a hospital floor. :) Maybe think about ClinDoc/Coding/UR/Case Management?

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

My great-aunt did rural community health/home visits until she was 76. :) She's one of my heroes, and I wish she would have lived to see me graduate nursing school. She did live to see me start though, and she was thrilled!

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Geri, Teaching, LTC, QA.
Can you use the quote feature please? Thanks.

Yes I will. I thought hitting Reply would link it to the comment box I hit the Reply box in. Sorry, my bad. :)

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I think this thread is just a tiny bit insulting to those of us over 50-60. Not outraged, I can't believe you said that insulting. I just have a problem with blanket assumptions about any group of people. Those of us nearing 60 already have a hard time with the biases in nursing. The OP is simply confirming that as nurses age they lose their value. That we just can't carry our weight anymore. That we need "easier" jobs to accommodate our tired old bodies and brains. I really hate that.

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Geri, Teaching, LTC, QA.
I think this thread is just a tiny bit insulting to those of us over 50-60. Not outraged, I can't believe you said that insulting. I just have a problem with blanket assumptions about any group of people. Those of us nearing 60 already have a hard time with the biases in nursing. The OP is simply confirming that as nurses age they lose their value. That we just can't carry our weight anymore. That we need "easier" jobs to accommodate our tired old bodies and brains. I really hate that.

I apologize. I didn't mean to include all nurses over 50. Just those who feel the same and are looking for options.

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Specializes in Hospice.
I apologize. I didn't mean to include all nurses over 50. Just those who feel the same and are looking for options.

Don't feel bad, you didn't intend to insult anyone.

Like I said, I could probably keep up with the youngsters as a bedside nurse. I just made the decision to leave the hospital setting.

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I see a lot of older nurses working in PACU, pre-op and procedural areas like radiology. I recently went to a conference for OR/PACU nurses, and I am well over 40 and was one of the younger ones there.

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I see a lot of older nurses working in PACU, pre-op and procedural areas like radiology. I recently went to a conference for OR/PACU nurses, and I am well over 40 and was one of the younger ones there.

PACU is the bomb. I did 2 weeks there when someone was out for a nasty chole. I never wanted to leave.

Also SAM is a fun place. IVs and vitals.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I always thought it would be cool to be a ship nurse for a cruise line when I retire.

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Nurse;8767255]I always thought it would be cool to be a ship nurse for a cruise line when I retire.

Drunks all night? Bottom cabin? Ugh.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I went back to school at 50. At 57, I work full time (50-60hrs/week), volunteer on the fire dept and also help with AN and a prison reform group.

And...I'm not superwoman - all of my friends do the same....

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