Older nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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I notice that most nurses now are younger rather than older (less than 35 years old). Where have all the older nurses gone? Do they tend to work in certain units at your hospital or work in clinics?

I'm sure once you have the experience and choice clinic nursing is SUPER appealing. There may be a pay cut and not opportunity for overtime but many find overtime not worth the money. If you could work 4 10s or 5 8s in a week why not? Not have to lift, not get slammed with the first admission plus 2 of your 5 are still in procedure, not have to do all of your own work plus the CNA because the CNA called out, chart standing up like a madman in the corner so you won't be interrupted, redo the dressing again because the MD came by and cut it open (AGAIN), central line dressing change in the iso room, do all your glucometers, track down the bag that went to security...

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
chacha82 said:
I'm sure once you have the experience and choice clinic nursing is SUPER appealing.

Actually, I left that "SUPER appealing" job to return to the inpatient trenches. And I've never been happier in my nursing life than I am right now. Perhaps I'm the anomaly?

But to each their own.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I took a huge pay cut to get away from the bedside 2 years ago. Personal issues shoved my *** back in it last year. Now that those issues seem to be finally resolved once and for all, I left it again back in April for a non-patient-care community job. The only way I'd go back is if the VA calls (excellent pay for someone of my experience in years, plus a 5-year, full-benefits-eligible retirement plan--I'm only 52)!!

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Management? Psych? Their own Home Health Agency? Skilled Nursing, teaching, NP's, school nursing, night shift, maybe have left nursing?

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poopylala said:
I ... Where have all the older nurses gone?

Gone? Early to bed mostly as we need more sleep ;)

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Considering that I was already 40 when I joined this profession, I had a head start at the "older" category from the beginning. I left hospital nursing years ago, and I have been in corrections for the past 16 years. I have no intention of going back, at least not willingly.

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BSNbeDONE said:
I took a huge pay cut to get away from the bedside 2 years ago. Personal issues shoved my *** back in it last year. Now that those issues seem to be finally resolved once and for all, I left it again back in April for a non-patient-care community job. The only way I'd go back is if the VA calls (excellent pay for someone of my experience in years, plus a 5-year, full-benefits-eligible retirement plan--I'm only 52)!!

Might want to check on the VA bennies. It's usually age 62 and 5 years.of service. I'm retiring from federal service soon!

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Im 52 and I teach now so good way to keep the knowledge without the back breaking work . My students do all of that . Monitoring and advising . hehe

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SobreRN said:
We fled hospital nursing.

I fled when EHR/EMR came into being . . . :banghead:

Orca said:
Considering that I was already 40 when I joined this profession, I had a head start at the "older" category from the beginning. I left hospital nursing years ago, and I have been in corrections for the past 16 years. I have no intention of going back, at least not willingly.

I was 40 also. Worked acute, L&D, ER in a small rural hospital.

Now I'm happy in hospice. :yes:

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

The way I figure it is that when I was younger, I had energy to burn. I could go anywhere and do anything. So I did. Before 12 hour shifts took over the world, I was a staunch 3-11-er. I loved buzzing around on a busy floor, juggling my assignment and helping others with theirs if needed. I loved floating as it kept me on my toes and I was never bored.

I left hospitals when I 'found' Home Health. LOVED it! After nine years my company started making changes and the home health division moved to another company.

I've been doing Private Duty off and on for YEARS, but I have stopped taking the physically challenging cases. In my earlier career I always took on the quads; I could heave and heft with the best of 'em, and didn't consider it hard work.

Generally, most of the time now, I've been lucky enough to get "good" cases that last a while...several for 2-3 years at a time.

I will be turning 68 during the mid-summer. I paid my dues and then some. I am more than happy to let the enthusiastic younger nurses have their day. I will sit back and admire them.:) :yes: I used to be like them.

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Specializes in ICU.

I have known several hospitals that found reasons to "lay off" their older nurses. At my current facility, it seems the younger nurses get office jobs, away from patient care, instead of the older nurses. The culture is different everywhere you go.

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PACU, preop, endo, dialysis, education are 5 that immediately come to mind in the hospital setting.

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