Aging Nurses - Where do we go?

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  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?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Where do "old" nurses go? They cover the absences created by "young" ones who call out d/t hangovers, upset tummies, headaches, etc. Because the "old" nurses I work with never call out sick. But the young'uns do without a thought.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I'm going to strongly disagree with you here. I'm in my 60's, working full time 12 hr. shifts as a travel nurse and am both comfortable and competent. I frequently get call backs for repeat contracts which I believe testifies to my competence and work ability.

If people are unable to maintain that sort of pace in later years it is generally due to illnesses or injuries which would have had the same effect even if they were a decade younger, not simply because of their age.

Barring such illness or injury I plan to work until 70 at which time I will travel and enjoy leisure as my 86 yr. old mother and her 91 yr. old brother are currently doing.

My guess is you are the exception rather than the rule and it sure sounds like you have excellent genes too. Enjoy!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, OB, ICU, Public Health Nursing.

I stepped down from full time heavy hospital work to a part-time clinic job. Eventually went to desk work, Utilization Review and then to Case Management. Case management included desk work and interviewing patients in the hospital which was a great combination of both worlds. You don't have to leave nursing. You have to find a nursing path that works for you. Best Wishes!

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I'm going to strongly disagree with you here. I'm in my 60's, working full time 12 hr. shifts as a travel nurse and am both comfortable and competent. I frequently get call backs for repeat contracts which I believe testifies to my competence and work ability.

If people are unable to maintain that sort of pace in later years it is generally due to illnesses or injuries which would have had the same effect even if they were a decade younger, not simply because of their age.

Barring such illness or injury I plan to work until 70 at which time I will travel and enjoy leisure as my 86 yr. old mother and her 91 yr. old brother are currently doing.

2 of my 3 preceptors in my new HH job were 73 and 74. There were a little weak in the computer skills, I will say. But man oh man did they know their stuff. 2 Classic COBs. The 73 year old did just retire (I took her group) and the 74 year old is still kicking ass and taking names.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
hmmm, where do us old nurses go? To the big bedpan up in the sky?????

LoL.

I love this!

In a related thread some time ago (I believe the emphasis on that one was more "why don't old nurses retire so we can have their jobs?") I disappointed some I am sure by saying I figure I'll work until that day when I keel over and land on a (hopefully) unoccupied bed.

For me the humorous take is mandatory to ward off despair.

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I love this!

In a related thread some time ago (I believe the emphasis on that one was more "why don't old nurses retire so we can have their jobs?") I disappointed some I am sure by saying I figure I'll work until that day when I keel over and land on a (hopefully) unoccupied bed.

For me the humorous take is mandatory to ward off despair.

I plan on staying in my job out of spite. Mhm.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Where do "old" nurses go? They cover the absences created by "young" ones who call out d/t hangovers, upset tummies, headaches, etc. Because the "old" nurses I work with never call out sick. But the young'uns do without a thought.

We cover pregnancy leave, candy crush breaks, the ribavirin Pt because suddenly every one else is trying to get pregnant, and covering all the MRSA pts because the newly pregnant nurse ( who eats at the Golden Corral buffet) can't be exposed to disease.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I love this!

In a related thread some time ago (I believe the emphasis on that one was more "why don't old nurses retire so we can have their jobs?") I disappointed some I am sure by saying I figure I'll work until that day when I keel over and land on a (hopefully) unoccupied bed.

For me the humorous take is mandatory to ward off despair.

OMG please don't even joke about this. I worked with a 66yo nurse who worked her shift, walked to the ED because she wasn't feeling well and dropped dead in a medical bed that night. FWIW she wasn't one of the rare people who say they love their jobs so much they can't imagine retiring. She was trying to hang in there for financial reasons. :(

Its in everyone's best interest if I retire in my early 60s because I would be beyond miserable if I were to work until I died unless of course it was secondary to an unexpected accident of some sort.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

TRUTH!!

We cover pregnancy leave, candy crush breaks, the ribavirin Pt because suddenly every one else is trying to get pregnant, and covering all the MRSA pts because the newly pregnant nurse ( who eats at the Golden Corral buffet) can't be exposed to disease.
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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I love this!

In a related thread some time ago (I believe the emphasis on that one was more "why don't old nurses retire so we can have their jobs?") I disappointed some I am sure by saying I figure I'll work until that day when I keel over and land on a (hopefully) unoccupied bed.

For me the humorous take is mandatory to ward off despair.

I remember that post. And I remember a lot of people telling her they'd be happy to retire as soon as she gives her address so we know where to send our bills.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
We cover pregnancy leave, candy crush breaks, the ribavirin Pt because suddenly every one else is trying to get pregnant, and covering all the MRSA pts because the newly pregnant nurse ( who eats at the Golden Corral buffet) can't be exposed to disease.

Oh, how I know that feeling. At one time, half of our staff was pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast feeding and they couldn't take anyone on isolation, getting chemo, needing to travel to radiology or smelly. Oh, and they couldn't lift, stand or miss an opportunity to discuss their breeding status with their friends.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
OMG please don't even joke about this. I worked with a 66yo nurse who worked her shift, walked to the ED because she wasn't feeling well and dropped dead in a medical bed that night. FWIW she wasn't one of the rare people who say they love their jobs so much they can't imagine retiring. She was trying to hang in there for financial reasons. :(

Ohh :-/ that is sad. I know a few people who are heading that route and unfortunately many are taking up the slack for irresponsible adult relatives who don't seem like they notice the toll it takes.

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