Does age matter?

angel337, MSN, RN · Jun 28, 2004

i know a 73 year old nurse that works as a nurse clincian/educator in a oncology center. she is wonderful and says that she will stop being a nurse when she becomes either blind or too sick to handle it. btw ...she walks faster than most people half her age and worked bedside nursing for 40 years of her career. she made me feel ashamed for any and all complaints i may have had about being a nurse. she is truly an inspiration.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2004

No age doesn't matter in my opinion. If a nurse is physically able and mentally competent, then age doesn't matter. If they can not meet job descriptions physically or mentally, then that should be considered because they are putting themselves and their patients at risk regardless of their age.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 28, 2004

I agree with Tweety................as long as she/he is active and can still work, and be mentally capable, then why not? People work in other fields without any problems much older................. :)

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2004

I dont think age matters

I also think one of these days one of my coworkers will round a corner in the ER and I will just gave died

DNR is tattooed on my chest

Farkinott, RN · Jun 28, 2004

I don't think age matteers either. I know some people mock our older colleagues but I prefer to try and glean some of their wisdom. Respect for elders (unless proven otherwise)is still big in my books!

nursebedlam · Jun 28, 2004

the older the violin, the sweeter the music

kathy_79 · Jun 28, 2004

if person is physically and mentaly right and capable of doing her daily tasks it is good to keep up working on it. people should do what they love to do and no matter obstacles they do it right. no age matter in any of life activities till person is burn out and hate what is doing.

my cna instructor was at her 70's and she was lovely, honest, kind, good person, with so much experience and knowledge than not one could be amaze.

i am nursing student now. lots of my instructor is about their 60's. i love to learn from their experience and knowledge. most of them are very realiable, responsible, willing to share, and respectfull for other more than younger nurses (some of young nurses are very direspectfull and too self-esteem).

god bless you all.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jun 28, 2004

If mentally and physically capable, no problem at any age. Mentally capable should also include the ability and willingness to see things from a new perspective, but that's not age-specific .

I do think it's a shame if a nurse continues to work into his/her "golden years" out of necessity. Hopefully, we are all looking ahead and planning for the opportunity to eventually retire. I don't care for the idea of clocking out of my last shift and stepping directly into the medical transport to take me to the nursing home!

Trauma Columnist · Jun 28, 2004

Great answers! I think that as long as you are mentally sharp, physically sound, go for it! However, along the way, pick up some education to give yourself options as you age...

leslie :-D · Jun 28, 2004

I don't think age matteers either. I know some people mock our older colleagues but I prefer to try and glean some of their wisdom. Respect for elders (unless proven otherwise)is still big in my books!

absolutely farkinott!!! we had a nurse that was 74 and sometimes anxious. the others looked at her like a pain in the neck, but i found a kind word, a hand on her shoulder just softened her so much....i too have always respected my elders. we had cnas in their 60s and 70s and i treated them as i did any other elderly person, w/just a bit more gratitude.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 28, 2004

Age apparently does NOT matter to my aunt, a peds nurse for 43 years, or her employer. she does GREAT and LOOKS AWESOME!!! Keeping active keeps her young. Even in her 60s