I'm 60. That's not old. Of course, "Old" is a moving target, something like 5 years older than I am.
I told a teenage friend a story, finishing with, "And I'm not old." She looked at me as if to say, "And what planet are YOU from?"
I work Private Duty, taking care of medically fragile children in their own homes. I had one mother tell her 6-year old (in front of me), "Be careful, don't trip the nurse. She might fall and break her hip!"
And then there was the mom who told me that she was glad that I was spry!
Spry: (definition) Markedly brisk and active, especially at an advanced age!
OK, I have gray hair. I earned it. And I'm not about to bother coloring it. But I don't act old. I play with the kids on the floor, and I pop right back up.
Well, I'm 60, but thanks to the German/Irish genes from my dad's side, people usually think I'm 40-something.
Do I always feel 20 years younger? Of course not. Thirty six years as a nurse have taken their toll.
My shoulders let me know when the weather's going to change, sometimes my ankles swell a bit by the end of the day, and every once in awhile when I turn my head the wrong way, I get that exhilarating "electric shock" sensation down the side of my neck.
I plan on retiring at full retirement age (66 and 4 months for me), but I may not stop working completely because I'm just not used to not working.
I most likely won't be working as a nurse, or at the most I'll utilize my nursing knowledge working from home as an insurance case manager. I've also thought about taking a train the trainer course and getting a job teaching CNAs.
Im 63, some days I can't get moving other days I have lots of energy.. I remember waiting for school bus for my son, when I was 30 and his friend who was 7 at the time thought I was really old.. he's about 40 wonder how he feels now?
I'm with ya ! I'm 65 but retired at 62. I have gray hair too, but I don't care. Remember when we were young ? People looked older to us because we really didn't have a frame of reference. I'm not sure how co-workers view it, but I do believe there is job discrimination as far as age. Keep moving on, I'm sure your peds patients need you !
Employees are going to have to work into their 70's unless the Social Security laws change. I've worked for 40 years and I'm tired and retired because I could. Since retiring I have several medical problems, so I'm glad I retired !
I personally don't consider a person's age alone as being old. I have seen 80+ year old's that could run circles around people half there age. To me it's more of a person's action that makes them old. If your leaned over a bedside table using it to roll up and down the hallway, yes I would consider you old or, at least, to old to be doing bedside nursing. Yes, I actually used to work with a nurse in her 60's that did that. However, in spirit she acted much younger. I have also worked with people in there 20's, 30's, etc.., that just moped around, which to me in turn they acted old.
I recently started a new job at a different facility, in a non-management role, and co-workers in there 20's and 30's stated, "Yes Sir, or No Sir" to me. At first it kinda made me feel old but then I liked how it made me feel more distinguished, so I embrace it now with a smile!
So if your 60 and spry (as she said), no I wouldn't consider you old. Old is as old as you make it!
Remember the 90 year old nurse who still works in the OR ? That's what keeps her young ! Word of advice, get that " electric shock " sensation checked out ! Something is pressing on an a nerve.
Specializes in Crit Care; EOL; Pain/Symptom; Gero.
The nurse who needs a bedside table to serve as a proxy-walker sounds more disabled than "old".
Perhaps she needs to continue to work to earn income, and realizes that coming to work with a cane or walker will result in her dismissal from FT work.
She deserves empathy, rather than a cavalier attitude from co-workers related to age.
I kind of understand using a bedside table as a walker today. I'm having a little trouble getting around today and the PA commented in a negative way that I was walking slow and commented about me being old, he has no idea what I have to do when I'm not at work. The thing he doesn't know is the reason I'm slow today is I spent some quality time climbing a ladder last night and then I used a push mower and mowed about 1 acre. So I was a tad sore today. Bet he didn't do that last night. And he's probably in his early 40's. I would rather spend my time at the gym or doing some fun stuff, but I have a gas powered treadmill at home that I can push all around the yard anytime I want to and anytime I don't want to. But today I sure do feel like I need a walker.
One other time a patient asked that the doctor not send a young pretty thing in to give him his injection. Of course they thought it was because he might get a little too much enjoyment out of dropping his pants for a young nurse. I didn't take it that way. I felt like he was asking for an older, more experienced, more professional person to do it. Of course the doctor asked me to go in. I was a little insulted by the doctors reaction, but not the patients. He was an older an in his 80's and I just think he felt more comfortable showing his less than desirable rear to an older lady. But so much for the obvious put down by the doctor.
Jensmom7, BSN, RN
1,907 Posts
Well, I'm 60, but thanks to the German/Irish genes from my dad's side, people usually think I'm 40-something.
Do I always feel 20 years younger? Of course not. Thirty six years as a nurse have taken their toll.
My shoulders let me know when the weather's going to change, sometimes my ankles swell a bit by the end of the day, and every once in awhile when I turn my head the wrong way, I get that exhilarating "electric shock" sensation down the side of my neck.
I plan on retiring at full retirement age (66 and 4 months for me), but I may not stop working completely because I'm just not used to not working.
I most likely won't be working as a nurse, or at the most I'll utilize my nursing knowledge working from home as an insurance case manager. I've also thought about taking a train the trainer course and getting a job teaching CNAs.