Problems with the aging nurses

There are many posts logging knowledge as the reason to keep these nurses in the workforce. I would say, their knowledge is a gem to newer nurses. Which is an alternative for the nurses with many years under their belt. The positions of case management, training, etc. are great alternatives. As a health professional, I certainly don't believe in throwing anyone to the waste side because of their lack to physically perform as their prime.

I agree with both sides of the arguement. However, everyone on here is talking about the benefits of ME. I understand the older generation has to work. If you are of able body and 80 more power to you and very happy for you. But there are other areas of expertise. Everyone on here commented on their knowledge. Maybe nursing education would be less physical, and your knowledge would be amazing and much appreciated. Or vaccine clinics, HHA, private duty, Drs office. But what about the PATIENT?? I seen this when my mom was in the rehabilitation unit for PT. Was on the phone with her and heard the entire thing. Both the nurse and the aide were in their 60-70's. They wouldn't get up to bedside commode because they didn't feel they could lift her. Ok, I can see wanting to prevent a fall. Put her in briefs. One night it was 2145. Told my mom she would have to wait for the 11-7 shift cause she was to heavy for them to move. She had to wait in a dirty brief(BM and urine) for 2 HOURS because they were unable to do it cause "I don't have the energy or the back to do it". Said next shift was younger and more able. I didn't wait for them to do it. Went in myself and they told me it was too late for visiting hours. I said good not here to visit but do YOUR job. I had her transferred.

PS OP did not say ALL older nurses. She specifically said people UNABLE to do the job. That could be anyone of any age. Have worked with people younger than me (28) who had bad backs I felt should not be in hands-on physical care either. Please don't take this statement the wrong way. Just believe ANYONE unable to care for patients should not be there. Be it because they don't have the temperment for nursing, they are chemically impaired, they're knowledge base and skill set suck, time management sucks, they hate people, or sadly infirmity from age.

Contrary, I am in my 30's and have had to make the decision on what I will do as my metabolism is no longer at the stage of a 20-50 year old.

Just out of pure curiosity - what does this mean? Are you overweight and complaining about older nurses not hauling their share?

Well perhaps if hospitals realized that nurses are not pack mules and expect them to lift and move morbidly obese patients and spent the money on lift equipment, nurses would be happier, less stressed, not in chronic pain from back/neck injuries. Let nurses use their brains and not their bodies and people could continue to work. How about retiree health insurance and more might retire as the cost of health insurance keeps many older workers trapped in jobs even if they would like to retire!

How about the young nurses that spend most of their time texting on their cell phones and checking the internet during work hours! That is a common problem with the younger crowd where I work!

I've had a good chuckle, reading this entire thread.

OP, if you want to work in a unit with only your same-age peers, you can find one. They're out there. That probably sounds all McDreamy-like to you.

I've worked in such a unit. They hire upwards of 10 new grads every spring/summer - mostly traditional college-age BSN grads. Two-thirds of them leave within their first 18 months. Preceptors are those who have managed to stay more than 2 years.

The collective anxiety on that unit is astronomical. To use a sports metaphor -- the roster has absolutely no depth.

But you can go ahead and work on a unit like that. Just know that there will be no older nurse with bad knees, back pain, or chronic shoulder pain to stop in mid-sentence and point to one of your patients and say, "he doesn't look good" even in the absence of any rhythm changes or obvious s/s. Or to provide any kind of professional or personal mentoring at all ... because you'll all be at the same life/career stage.

Whatever works for ya.

I've had a good chuckle, reading this entire thread.

OP, if you want to work in a unit with only your same-age peers, you can find one. They're out there. That probably sounds all McDreamy-like to you.

I've worked in such a unit. They hire upwards of 10 new grads every spring/summer - mostly traditional college-age BSN grads. Two-thirds of them leave within their first 18 months. Preceptors are those who have managed to stay more than 2 years.

The collective anxiety on that unit is astronomical. To use a sports metaphor -- the roster has absolutely no depth.

But you can go ahead and work on a unit like that. Just know that there will be no older nurse with bad knees, back pain, or chronic shoulder pain to stop in mid-sentence and point to one of your patients and say, "he doesn't look good" even in the absence of any rhythm changes or obvious s/s. Or to provide any kind of professional or personal mentoring at all ... because you'll all be at the same life/career stage.

Whatever works for ya.

Whatever you you perceived within the original post!!!!!! Why even bother conversing further...

Am I overweight now? If you call 132 pounds, 5ft 9ins overweight...sure. I am quickly learning, education doesn't make everyone capable of holding an unbiased conversation...It's apparent within this thread.

Whatever you you perceived within the original post!!!!!! Why even bother conversing further...

Yes, the one titled "Problems with the aging nurses" ...

Do you all not see the double oxy morons within your responses to my original posting?

On one hand some are asking me not to stereotype, which I never have. But, you're condemning all younger nurses to be lazy, lacking in education, and obsessive cell phone users.

...

Yes, the one titled "Problems with the aging nurses" ...

Well, clearly you didn't read further than the topic heading.

Good night, love!

I feel like collectively the best nurses that I work with that I feel are knowledgeable and physically/emotionally able to do the job are in their 30's. Not 60-80. Some of the older nurses actually are inept when it comes to the computer charting and newer treatments. I work on a great unit right now. Most of us have been nurses 5-10 years. We have a couple who are in their 70's, we all like them, they are like grandmas, but they definitely make the unit more stressful when they are there. We also have a couple new grads who struggle a bit but will get there. But when you compare our units safety/quality numbers and staff satisfaction to the rest of the hospital we are far above the rest. I think there is something to be said for that. We are not too old or too young of a unit. Because we have low turnover as the more experienced people slowly leave to advance their careers the once newbies are now experienced.

I keep seeing people mentioning the younger generation being on their phones or in the break room all the time etc. My question is, is this preventing them from getting their work done and making others pick up their slack?? Otherwise those comments don't really apply to the OP's post. It is very rare that I don't get all my tasks done (and even some of the evening shifts task) and I once in a while will sit in the break room and have a snack or go off the floor to get a coffee. So just because nurses are not constantly go go go maybe they are just efficient and good with time management. On the other hand I also have seen my fair share of nurses laugh and have a good time and then all of a sudden be slammed and asking for help because now they have a new admit. Had they got things done ahead of time in preparation for a new admit they wouldn't have needed help.

I'm probably going to get flamed for this next comment but I'm on the internet guess I don't care. I'm so sick of the younger "entitled" comments also. You 40-60 years olds raised us!!!! I guess I just take it personally because I am of that age group. Of course I see that "entitled" attitude among some of my peers. However, I have had to work hard for everything I have and do not expect anything to be handed to me. However, maybe the older people who feel that we should have to pick up their slack because they have worked for 30+years (sounds entitled to me) are the ones that created the "entitled" younger generation.

I guess I just feel like If I'm not performing at the desired expectations of said job then I would completely expect to be let go. This definitely does not hold true across the age span. I also think the employers look at this. I definitely see newbies let go because they aren't holding up their end of the bargain more often than nurses that have been there 20 years (and these are nurses that have made multiple mistakes and have been brought to the attention of management). Maybe its because if I'm younger I'm more capable of assimilating into another job???