Nurses aging

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 20, 2009

I see nursing as requiring a higher level of personal maintenance and self care.

I protect my hands carefully with lotions and gloves on my days off.

I choose shoes carefully because I am aware that a foot injury from stylish but uncomfortable shoes is only made worse with a job that requires lots of standing.

I have learned some stress management techniques and am ready to look for another job if the workplace becomes unbearable.

I learned early on to say no to extra shifts.

I suspect the culprit isn't always nursing. I suspect nursing attracts a larger than average number of people who are willing to put their needs last.

GilaRRT · Jan 20, 2009

I suspect the culprit isn't always nursing. I suspect nursing attracts a larger than average number of people who are willing to put their needs last.

Nailed it IMHO.

It would be nice to blame my newly sprouting grey hair on my career choice. I am even getting grey in places I never though would go grey. However, the honest truth is, I am simply becoming an old fart.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

You must use good body mechanics, you know bend at your knees, raise the bed and etc.

lpnflorida · Jan 20, 2009

I suppose in some respects you may be correct. For myself I see the physcial job of nursing as having kept me younger. There are things physcially that I am able to do that my counterparts/peers who have less physcial jobs are unable to do any longer. I also feel it helps keep our minds sharper for longer. I am a believer in the use it or lose it theory.

Learning body mechanics goes a long way to ensure a long work history,just as wearing proper shoes and support hose if needed.

Wish I could blame greying on nursing however I take after my father. Thank God for Clariol.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jan 20, 2009

You must use good body mechanics, you know bend at your knees, raise the bed and etc.

sometimes that's easier said than done.

Iam46yearsold · Jan 20, 2009

I don't feel like I am almost 47. I don't look like I'm almost 47. I find life in general to be wonderful. Sorry its been so tough for you.

SaraO'Hara · Jan 20, 2009

Ditto to the laying out for good shoes - I wear New Balance sneakers, replaced q 6 months. Sleep will come first if I have to work the next day, and I always unwind with "House" or a book before bed.

BroadwayRN, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

i think our relatives are healthier because they grew up when you had to walk places, you had to take the stairs, you ate fresh fruits and vegatables, no fast foods, no preservatives and food additives, life was far less stressful.

i think all of our stresses, life styles, food choices etc are aging us faster and causing us to have gray hairs sooner than our older family members.

nursej22, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

You must use good body mechanics, you know bend at your knees, raise the bed and etc.

I can't find the specific reference right now, but there are studies that "proper body mechanics" do not prevent the typical types of injuries sustained by nurses. Much of lifting and transferring requires twisting motions which can strain muscles. And if I am right next to a bed, if I bend my knees, they hit the bed. Raise the bed? To whose benefit--me who is 5'1", or my 5'7" co-worker?

Thankfully, mechanical lifts are being mandated, but aren't always available or in working order.

lovehospital · Jan 20, 2009

All the hoopla and talk about how the presidency ages a person. I would like to know how the field of nursing ages a person. I feel like I'm 90. I have gray hair now at the age of 36 almost 37.
My back kills me from all the strain and pulling up patients by myself with no help whatsoever, standing long hours in surgery when I used to assist and leaning over retracting, and all the other back breaking tasks that we do. My knees and hips from the miles and miles and miles that I walk every night. THe intense stress and worry that never leaves your mind even after you go home for several days off. They long hours and no breaks, the terrible hours and the missing out on all the family activites, never having time for family or friends or hobbies.
The insurmountable stress that this profession brings on a person. My parents and grandparents were not gray haired until after 60. My grandma was a first grade school teacher in the 1930's and she didn't turn gray until she was in her 80s and she's still not all that gray really. Her health is just unbelievable!

Doesnt that depends on genes?You cant blame nursing for aging,just like you cant blame obesity,hypertesion etc on nursing...Plus,it matter how do you take care of yourself,if you drink excessively,have poor diet,use excessive make up,bleach your hair 5 times a month,then yes you will have wrinkles,brittle hair and look like 90 year old...

Iam46yearsold · Jan 20, 2009

i think our relatives are healthier because they grew up when you had to walk places, you had to take the stairs, you ate fresh fruits and vegatables, no fast foods, no preservatives and food additives, life was far less stressful.
i think all of our stresses, life styles, food choices etc are aging us faster and causing us to have gray hairs sooner than our older family members.

so we do something about stress

so we do something about our food choices

so we walk or bike, and take the stairs.

and we will be healthier and age slower.

sounds good to me.

im already primarily a vegan.

i exercise religiously, run marathons and triathelons

love walking and biking

i avoid stress in that i never married nor had children.

i will live to 140 years old