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
I have followed many 20-42 year olds who have hung wrong IV's, gave wrong meds, have had accidents, have been upset with others interfering, have had personality conflicts, etc.
Which opens a whole other thread; not everyone can AFFORD to stop working at 60; if you're able to, GREAT! I plan on (mostly) retiring @ 62 and working part-time so I can spend some time with my kids and grandkids (if I can afford the gas)..........
If you are that concern with her working may be offering her some assistance may be the route to go. Also, by staying active is the best way to keep your faculties.
For patient safety's sake elder nurses should not get any special treatment or consideration. However, the age alone isn't what matters, it's the performance. It does sound like she's missing the mark on a lot of things, no one is denying that. Focus on the things she's doing and not her age.
We all have some agism to work through.
Tweety, as much as I hate to disagree with you - I do. I do think that elder nurses should receive special treatment and consideration. Is this fair? Yes and no. I think our elder nurses are our sages and treasures. They have decades of experience and the wisdom that that brings. I think we ought to encourage them to stay in the work-force in every way possible. If that means that they get a lighter patient load (gasp!) then so be it. I say they've earned a little special respect and consideration by virtue of paying their dues for decades. Now if they have memory impairment or physical impairment to the point that they cannot safely perform the job then that's a different matter and that cannot be tolerated.
But giving them a little special treatment, I say YES! Eighty is the new 60 some say. Retirement ages will be raised dramatically because we are living longer. I can only hope that when I'm a little old lady someday the workplace allows me to stay active even if it means a little lighter load, a little help, and yes, a little special treatment.
Tweety, as much as I hate to disagree with you - I do. I do think that elder nurses should receive special treatment and consideration. Is this fair? Yes and no. I think our elder nurses are our sages and treasures. They have decades of experience and the wisdom that that brings. I think we ought to encourage them to stay in the work-force in every way possible. If that means that they get a lighter patient load (gasp!) then so be it. I say they've earned a little special respect and consideration by virtue of paying their dues for decades. Now if they have memory impairment or physical impairment to the point that they cannot safely perform the job then that's a different matter and that cannot be tolerated.
But giving them a little special treatment, I say YES! Eighty is the new 60 some say. Retirement ages will be raised dramatically because we are living longer. I can only hope that when I'm a little old lady someday the workplace allows me to stay active even if it means a little lighter load, a little help, and yes, a little special treatment.
I absolutely agree. How sad that some see older nurses as a burden, something that should be disposed of.
I think you were correct in reporting the fall. I was working as a waitress when I was 19 years old, and walked into a slippery kitchen and landed square on my left knee. It felt like it tore off my kneecap, I had never screamed so loud.
They let me sit down, and it took about 20 minutes, but I was fine, and the manager asked me if I wanted to fill out an accident report, and I told her no.
Fast forward 2 years later...I woke up and when I swung my legs around to get out of bed my knee was hot and swollen. I couldn't even bend it. I was taken to the hospital and there was a clear picture of a badly healed fracture and what was causing my pain is a sheath of my kneecap that had shifted. I had no insurance, and I had to have very minor surgery to get out the floating piece, but they left the fracture alone as it healed and wasn't appearing to cause problems.
My parents had to pay for that out of pocket, but had I filed an accident report, I may not have.
Ask yourself this: Has this older nurse made any mistakes that is NOT made by other nurses that are younger?
78 isn't as old as you think, and it all depends on the person. A good friend of mine is 77, works out 2 hours at the gym every day, is not on any meds and has 20/20 VISION. He does all of his own yardwork b/c he can't find anyone to do it like he does.
Sylv
116 Posts
Yeah, I plan on still working when I'm 80 also.
I have followed many 20-42 year olds who have hung wrong IV's, gave wrong meds, have had accidents, have been upset with others interfering, have had personality conflicts, etc.