Mandatory cut-off age for being a bedside nurse?

Moogie · Jun 18, 2010

Unfortunately, lately in my hospital, they've been targeting the older nurses and techs. People that have worked there for 20-30+ years and who are very good at their job are all off a sudden getting written up for small things, in an effort to push them out. It's disgusting.

I'd guarantee that is about the almighty dollar and nothing more.

Yes, and this is exactly why I feel dismayed when certain younger nurses start threads suggesting mandatory cut-off ages for bedside nurses. Nursing is such a polarized profession (LPNs vs. RNs, ADNs vs. Diploma grads vs. BSNs, younger nurses vs. older nurses) that this sort of discussion only divides us more and keeps us from working together for the betterment of our profession. Health care administrators are laughing their corporate backsides off at us because they know that when our energies are wasted arguing with each other, we nurses cannot focus on issues such as safe staffing ratios and job security for long-time employees.

Age discrimination is illegal, but hospitals such as the one at which SquirrelRN71 works are managing to discriminate nonetheless by picking apart the performance of workers who are paid more because of their seniority and who might be eligible for their pension in a short time. The thing is, how can it be proven? Unless an employer is so stupid as to say outright that a worker is being targeted because of his/her age or seniority, it is difficult to prove that the write-ups and disciplinary actions are a form of harassment and discrimination and not due to problems with performance.

As others have said, younger nurses who frequently complain about older nurses "taking" jobs away from them or who question whether there should be a mandatory cut-off date for bedside nursing will themselves get older and will find that they are suddenly the target of younger nurses' frustrations and ire. It's this kind of attitude that discourages those of us who sincerely try to mentor the next generation and not "eat our young". Not asking for anything extraordinary here---just a little bit of courtesy and respect.

allnurses Guide · Jun 18, 2010

Nope. We had folks with OBS at the nursing home at which I worked when I was in high school.
I mean the residents. Not the nursing staff. Of course, according to some peeps who hang out here on AN, I should be checked on a bi-monthly basis for any signs of dementia and put out to pasture when I forget where I put my car keys for the third time in a week.

.

I'll go to the "pasture" if I can design what's in it, and where it is. :coollook: It's a metaphor anyway, so really, the pasture could be in Tuscany, then it could move to Rio. . . hmmm. . tap-tap-tap how can we work in mentoring and research to give it the proper nursing "cover". Nursing history? Nurses in Renaissance art? Healing arts in the indigenous people of Fiji? :clown:

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jun 18, 2010

I'd guarantee that is about the almighty dollar and nothing more.

Yes, that and the fact that they want workers that will just shut up and not say anything about issues that arise.

Jules A, MSN · Jun 18, 2010

Yes, that and the fact that they want workers that will just shut up and not say anything about issues that arise.

Yeah my last boss hired slews of new grads each year because of the low pay rate and then burned out the experienced nurses with precepting and carrying the majority of the load for as long as it took for them to become productive team members and a few took a year! It wasn't unusual to go weeks without working with another experienced nurse.

Katie5 · Jun 20, 2010

Yes, and this is exactly why I feel dismayed when certain younger nurses start threads suggesting mandatory cut-off ages for bedside nurses. Nursing is such a polarized profession (LPNs vs. RNs, ADNs vs. Diploma grads vs. BSNs, younger nurses vs. older nurses) that this sort of discussion only divides us more and keeps us from working together for the betterment of our profession. Health care administrators are laughing their corporate backsides off at us because they know that when our energies are wasted arguing with each other, we nurses cannot focus on issues such as safe staffing ratios and job security for long-time employees.
Age discrimination is illegal, but hospitals such as the one at which SquirrelRN71 works are managing to discriminate nonetheless by picking apart the performance of workers who are paid more because of their seniority and who might be eligible for their pension in a short time. The thing is, how can it be proven? Unless an employer is so stupid as to say outright that a worker is being targeted because of his/her age or seniority, it is difficult to prove that the write-ups and disciplinary actions are a form of harassment and discrimination and not due to problems with performance.
As others have said, younger nurses who frequently complain about older nurses "taking" jobs away from them or who question whether there should be a mandatory cut-off date for bedside nursing will themselves get older and will find that they are suddenly the target of younger nurses' frustrations and ire. It's this kind of attitude that discourages those of us who sincerely try to mentor the next generation and not "eat our young". Not asking for anything extraordinary here---just a little bit of courtesy and respect.

I tried sending you a message but did not know how to or it wouldn't let me. Absolutely no ill-will was meant towards you. It hurts me, to find that you assume so.

It was written with no intent at hurting feelings. Sure I will get there someday By God's Grace. But that is what change it all about, to evolve and to grow in more ways.

sunnycalifRN · Jun 20, 2010

I say as long as they can competently do the job, let them do the job no matter what their age is.

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly. We had a doc at our facility who was 91 and still working part-time. He passed away recently, but he had a great sense of humor and used to joke with his "young" 70 yr old patients!

mb1949 · Jun 20, 2010

Wow, I started nursing school in my early 50's graduated and luckily found a job before the economy tanked, I checked with all type of websites and all nurses for information on age discrimination in nursing and was assured that lots of older people were doing nurses as a second career, everything was cool until my last semester when I actually had a clinical instructor telll me I would never find a job, due to my age, I would be to slow to catch on etc, what an idiot, but she did get to me, I wanted to cry, needless to say I didn't listen and am very happy in my position in LTC, other than that I had no problems, but we don't have to many younguns working here.

allnurses Guide · Jun 21, 2010

Wow, I started nursing school in my early 50's graduated and luckily found a job before the economy tanked, I checked with all type of websites and all nurses for information on age discrimination in nursing and was assured that lots of older people were doing nurses as a second career, everything was cool until my last semester when I actually had a clinical instructor telll me I would never find a job, due to my age, I would be to slow to catch on etc, what an idiot, but she did get to me, I wanted to cry, needless to say I didn't listen and am very happy in my position in LTC, other than that I had no problems, but we don't have to many younguns working here.

Boy, would I love to have a chat with her. . . . . :madface: What an ignorant thing to say, especially in your last semester!! As "they say" the best revenge is to be a success and prove these people wrong. Unfortunately, she's probably still in her job spreading her bile to the next generation of nursing students of all ages.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2010

Hmmm, did you mean to say immune?

NO Katie........ she meant understanding from having the same life experiences........the we are better equipt sometimes having been there ourselves. A different prespective and empathy comming from a place of been there...I really do know how you feel....