I work with a 78 year old RN. She's been an RN for about 58 years. While I was amazed at first, I really wonder how safe this is. I followed her once and found she hung the wrong IV bag on a patient. Fortunately it was very close, but still it was an error. I have a feeling, she gets the easier patients, but still I question safety. I've heard she has done other things involving other nurses. I'm all for people working and not completely retiring, but working in such a demanding job as a nurse you really need to be on your toes.....
I just had a patient crash on me. Fortunately I caught him in time and turned him around. Well he was in the same room as the a patient the nurse above had. My patient was coming around to the point he called me via his call bell. I went in quick to make sure he wasn't in need of anything. He said he was fine, but said "that lady just fell." It was the RN above. She brushed it off, but said her knee hurt a bit, but she'd be fine. I was thrilled my patient was able to take care of us as he could have gone the other way!!!
Anyway, I let the charge nurse know she had fallen, but was okay for the moment, but thought a heads up wouldn't hurt as we were already short. Well, I didn't realize it was such an issue. She had to fill out forms, go to the ED and was ready to kill me. I've never been looked at in such an evil way in my entire life. My husband said she was just mad because at her age she probably wants to appear trouble-free. This is making her look less than perfect. I suppose he's right, but should I have kept my mouth shut? It seems like you can't win. I'm sure my patient mentioned it to others and then I would've been asked why I DIDN'T say tell them. I really thought it wouldn't hurtl anyone to know and just give her a bit more help when possible if her knee started hurting more during the rest of the shift.
Do you think it's safe to have RNs nearly 80 years old working on such a demanding floor? Thanks
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I have to say that IMHO, a 78 year old nurse would warrant a bit of extra attention (although not by a colleague) than a younger but still very experienced nurse. I do think that we lose a certain amount of physical dexterity and visual acuity, if not always cognitive ability, as we age. For a floor nurse, these are still important. I'm all for this woman working until she's 100 if she's still able to provide the same level of patient care, and I have no idea at what level of skill she operates.
YES, I've heard that age ain't nothing but a number and
YES I can allow that all people are not created equally BUT
I worked med-surg for many, many years. It is physically and mentally demanding and exhausting, and you must be quite sharp to do it.
Does that mean your nurse can't do it? I don't know. You really didn't give me any examples of incompetence due to age because most of what you have posted I have observed in nurses 1/3 her age. But I am skeptical without even meeting her. I freely admit that. Okay flame me now.
I have to say that IMHO, a 78 year old nurse would warrant a bit of extra attention (although not by a colleague) than a younger but still very experienced nurse. I do think that we lose a certain amount of physical dexterity and visual acuity, if not always cognitive ability, as we age. For a floor nurse, these are still important. I'm all for this woman working until she's 100 if she's still able to provide the same level of patient care, and I have no idea at what level of skill she operates.
Maybe. But that supervision should be done by someone who is objective. Seems like the OP has way too much time on her hands if she's monitoring this nurse that closely.
other posts are correct that pt safety is #1 regardless of nurses age or physical condition
you are required to fill out an incidient report in most places if she did not fill one out herself
if the wrong med was hung on a patient this too required an incident report
but following her around it not your concern..the head nurse should be the one to assess if she is competent..if yo observe something then you might have a talk with nurse first - with head nurse second
do other nurses find her incompetent people are working longer and longer these days...maybe we should get use to it
If/when you interact w/her, try not to be accusatory. Speak softly. Act as tho you care. She sounds like she's being defensive--"just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you".
If she feels supported, she may perform better. Just a thought.
(if there is an error, of course report and document it to the NM.)
I have a feeling, she gets the easier patients, but still I question safety. I've heard she has done other things involving other nurses.
Lisa41rn, is this really about age, or is it about being dumped on? Is your work load heavier because this woman is on your shift? What did you mean when you said 'she has done other things involving other nurses'? Are you trying to say she is manipulative and difficult to work with? In all professions, not just nursing, sometimes people who are incompetent or just not that great at their job get 'rewarded' with a lighter work load, since it is often difficult to find grounds for dismissal. So management or the employer give the important and often harder work to the people that they know will do a good a job, while the others get off easy. I'm just wondering if that is part of this issue.
I worked with a 65yr old woman, I loved her to bits she wasnt as great a nurse anymore but had been very very dynamic in the past- so we compromised and I did the stuff which she couldnt do and she did other stuff for me and it worked well. She taught me many things because of her experience, and I will never forget our 3 yrs togther. We worked together as a team and we never had any problems.
If/when you interact w/her, try not to be accusatory. Speak softly. Act as tho you care. She sounds like she's being defensive--"just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you".
If she feels supported, she may perform better. Just a thought.
(if there is an error, of course report and document it to the NM.)
EXCELLENT response, prmnrs!!! Yay for you. :) My thinking exactly.
Along with..."how would you react if she was 30..do that."
I, too, plan on working well into my "latter years" albeit in HH... at least 2-3 days a week. And I dare anyone to tell me I have no business doing so!
I worked with a 65yr old woman, I loved her to bits she wasnt as great a nurse anymore but had been very very dynamic in the past- so we compromised and I did the stuff which she couldnt do and she did other stuff for me and it worked well. She taught me many things because of her experience, and I will never forget our 3 yrs togther. We worked together as a team and we never had any problems.
My goodness. Heaven forbid we should try an approach as mature as this one!
You sound like a peach, madwife, and the kind of co-worker I would love to have. Bless you for having the kindness and wisdom to see that your older colleague still had value, and for working with her, instead of against her.
EXCELLENT response, prmnrs!!! Yay for you. :) My thinking exactly.
Along with..."how would you react if she was 30..do that."
I, too, plan on working well into my "latter years" albeit in HH... at least 2-3 days a week. And I dare anyone to tell me I have no business doing so!
Well said jnette :) I feel the same way. I would still work as a nurse even after retirement age, just part time or so. :)
:lol2: 
LydiaNN
2,756 Posts
I have to say that IMHO, a 78 year old nurse would warrant a bit of extra attention (although not by a colleague) than a younger but still very experienced nurse. I do think that we lose a certain amount of physical dexterity and visual acuity, if not always cognitive ability, as we age. For a floor nurse, these are still important. I'm all for this woman working until she's 100 if she's still able to provide the same level of patient care, and I have no idea at what level of skill she operates.