the apropriate age for retire

[Naity]

some countries retirement age is at 60. Some nurses at 60 is when they are active with more knowledge and experience, what can be done to them to keep rendering their service beside being retired?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think that the "appropriate retirement age" is a highly individualized thing. Some people NEED to retire young because of health problems or because the stress of the job has simply worn them down to the point of not having much left to give. Other people are still quite healthy and capable of working full time well into their 60's -- or even beyond for a few people.

If employers want to retain nurses in the workforce longer, then those employers need to take a serious look at why their employees are retiring earlier than the employer would like. Then they need to address those issue one by one. In other words, they need to do a little research -- and they can start by asking their employees about the needs and preferences and about why they want to retire.

For example, it is because of the physical nature of the work? Are nurses retiring because they can't handle the physicality of it? If so, then the employer needs to find ways to ease the physical burden on those nurses. Can older nurses be moved into positions that utilize their judgment without asking them to do be on their feet all day, moving patients, lifting, etc.? Can more younger workers (assistants) be hired to assist with some of the physical tasks? Can technology help ease the physical burden?

If nurses are retiring because they don't like their schedules ... can the schedules be changed? Are people allowed to work "half shifts" instead of only full shifts? .... Or can the employer offer more part time work?

What type of benefits would be attractive to the older workforce? Elder care (instead of child care) benefits? Financial education about retirement planning? Enhanced retirement benefits and/or financial support for maintaining certifications, etc. instead of tuition reimbursement? Many employment benefits are more geared towards the needs of younger workers. An employer who wants to improve retention of older workers needs to focus on their special needs and preferences.

[rnforforty]

Actually, most of the hospitals here made a sweep getting rid of long term employees - they are at the top of the pay scale, and cut into the profits. They have absolutely no interest in retaining older employees. Experience means nothing. They would prefer to pay the base salary to a fresh grad who wouldn't recognize the S/S of blood reaction or realize she really should evaluate the respiratory status of a patient with pulmonary fibrosis who has had 8 ventilator stints at least once during her 12 hour shift, and not just agree with the observations and evaluations documented by the previous shift nurse, than pay the wages of an older nurse who understand the importance of this!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

when I am physically or mentally unable to perform safe nursing duties.

no hospitals dont really like to pay 42+yrs senority payscale, vs less experienced

[been there,done it]

What country are you referring to?

I am 63... no plans to retire. In the US... I can work as long as I want to.

[eaus]

I so agree with you. I recently left nursing a few years before I should have. Young nurses do not care that you have worked 25 years. They want to be off every holiday, weekend and get the days off they want. They absolutely do not understand seniority. We are paid more and the sooner the hospitals get rid of us the better. It is very difficult to continue to work 12 hours shifts ( more like 14). There are no accommodations for senior nurses. I left because I thought I would be fired. Many of the older nurses have been.