What You Need To Know About Older Nurses: Myths and Realities

Today’s nursing force is aging with an average age of 44 and average retirement age at 61 Current strategies to address the continued nursing shortage includes retaining older nurses and delaying retirement for those leaving the workforce prematurely. However, stereotypes of older nurses is common in healthcare and can lead to early retirement-further complicating the nursing shortage Nurses General Nursing Article

The words "older adult" often produces a stereotypical image of someone who is sick, slow, frail and senile. As I age, I am guilty of thinking aging is all about decreasing... decreasing physically and decreasing mentally. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing 2015 Nursing Workforce Study reported 50% of registered nurses and 46% of licensed vocational nurses are over the age of 50. Institutions are exploring ways to retain these older nurses in a strategy to maintain the nursing workforce as nurse baby boomers retire. However, ageism is a threat to the profession's ability to maintain enough nurses in the workforce to meet the healthcare needs of our aging population.

If you are in search of a lively discussion, just ask the question "At what age should a nurse retire? The conversation will most likely be divided and laced with stereotypes of older individuals. It is realistic older nurses experience more chronic disease and may find the physical demands of nursing challenging. This generation may also be less comfortable with the use of technology. However, negative stereotypes and myths of older nurses remain a threat to the nursing profession. Let's explore deeper the realities and myths surrounding aging nurses.

Older Nurses Do Not Have The Physical Strength Needed For Job Role

It is true the body does experience a small decrease in muscle strength from ages 40 to 65. There are many muscles in the body and they decrease in strength at different rates. Therefore, there is no one test that assesses a person's overall strength. A nurse with many years of experience has most likely developed successful strategies in meeting physical aspects of a job. In addition, nurses maintain muscle strength with the day-to-day walking, lifting and carrying that comes with the job.

A benefit to a career in nursing is the diverse settings nurses, both young and older, are needed. Many jobs outside of the hospital and bedside nursing are less physically demanding. These jobs require the experience and expertise that is prevalent in older nurses.

  • Nurse Educators- Nursing programs are currently turning away students, due to the shortage of nurse faculty, at a time when the need for nurses continue to grow. Outside of the classroom, older nurses experience is knowledge is needed to fill clinical instructor positions. Nurse educators are also hired by medical device companies, textbook publishers, community clinics and others.
  • Public Health Nurse- These nurses focus on the health of a community, school, community organization and community health clinics.
  • Occupational Health Nurse- Serves employees of a business to promote overall health, safety and injury prevention

Older Nurses Think Slower And Are Less Productive

Managers and co-workers are often concerned that older nurses have trouble meeting the mental demands of nursing. Posthuma and Campion (2009) synthesized over 100 studies on stereotypes of older workplace employees One theme that emerged is the stereotype older workers are less motivated and lack competence. It is true, especially with bedside nursing, that productivity declines with age. The Occupational Outlook Handbook (2016) reports 61% of nurses work in a hospital, however, many nurses successfully work bedside beyond age 65. In addition, the nursing profession offers jobs in a wide range of areas and settings.

Older Nurses Do Not Like Change And Are Stuck In The Past.

This is a myth and can easily be dispelled with 3 key points. First, baby boomers typical place a large amount of trust in leadership and in the strategies of their leaders. However, it is important to the older employee that they understand how change supports new strategies and how it will benefit or improve their ability to perform a job role. Second, older nurses bring knowledge that only years of expertise can provide. Through mentoring and informal teaching, older nurses can pass their knowledge on to newer, less experienced nurses. Third, older nurses stay informed of new standards, skills and healthcare changes through to their state board of nursing continuing education requirements and workplace training.

Older Nurses Call Out And Use More Sick Time

Although older individuals have more chronic illness, young and older workers actually have similar absentee rates. In addition, studies have shown younger workers have more acute illness than older workers.

Consequences Of Stereotypes

Ultimately, ageism in nursing negatively impacts the patient's experience. Stereotypes can make an older nurse feel unwelcomed and unappreciated. Older nurses may feel pressure to retire- leading to a staffing gap in a healthcare environment that is already understaffed. As our population continues to age, older nurses understand the aging experience. Having nurses on staff that understand their specific needs significantly improves the patient experience. Older nurses are valuable to the community and nursing profession.

What you can do to address ageism in nursing

  • Reflect on your own views about aging and the older nurse
  • Be aware of common stereotypes and your own attitudes that reflect ageism
  • Avoid telling or laughing at jokes with themes of ageism
  • Avoid gossip about the performance of an older peer.
  • Acknowledge how older nurses benefit the patients in your setting.

A Final Thought

Being aware of the realities and myths are the first step in supporting older nurses. Experienced nurses bring a wealth of knowledge that is valuable to younger nurses and patients. With the looming nursing shortage, it is important for the nursing community to continue identifying strategies to retain aging nurses.

Resources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, (2017). Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet, Nursing Shortage Nurse Journal (2018).

155 Super Great Non-hospital Nursing Jobs for Nurses. 15 Super Great Non-Hospital Nursing Jobs for Nurses | 218 NurseJournal.org Stokowske, L. (2008).

Old but not out: the aging nurse in today's workforce. Medscape: Medscape Access The NTAR Leadership Center

Would you consider school nursing?

No nights, no weekends. Can get busy like a small ER but it has its fun side...

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Specializes in Telemetry, DD, Ortho, CCU, BHU.

I worked in a hospital for many years as a NA, LPN and RN - approx 30 years altogether. For the past 12 1/2 years U worked as a Director of Health Services. Director of Clinical, Director if Integrated Services (Residential and Clinical) and now I work as Director of Clinical Education and an Auditor. I have worked at all these jobs at a non-profit agency who cares for people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. It is a rewarding career and not greatly "advertised" as a nursing career. But as I said, it is very rewarding and I am suggesting you look into the area. Did you know there is a certification of Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse? it is a difficult test , just like all certifications. Janine G, RN

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The solution to the impending nursing shortage is really a no-brainer.

All they have to do is hire more CNA's and Nurse Techs to take the physical demands off the RN's. That's it! You don't need 4-years of nursing school to do most of what nurses dislike about their jobs. The Admins just don't get it because most of them have never been in the trenches.

If it's your loved one in the ICU naturally you want someone with lot's of expertise on board. It's a shame to keep losing the most experienced people when all they need is a break from the heavy lifting and drudge work.

I'm 62 and retiring in a few months. . . can't wait.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, Public Health, Medical Policy.

Dialysis nursing- very busy each shift but almost always day time hours. Love doing patient teaching and there is a huge need for this with renal patients. BTW- I am 59 and going strong.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, Public Health, Medical Policy.

kgscotti- Dialysis nursing- very busy each shift but almost always day time hours. Love doing patient teaching and there is a huge need for this with renal patients. BTW- I am 59 and going strong.

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I am 59 year old LVN starting my BSN program to finally get my RN. I plan on working until I literally can not work any longer. Hopefully at least 25 years from now.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, home care, corrections and psych.

So true! Several years ago I was pulled from nights for an entire week to teach the computer system in use at my facility to all the employees because ADMINISTRATION HAD NO CLUE HOW TO USE IT! This was back in the DOS days, but it still makes me laugh. I'll be 56 in December.

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jamijolpn525 said:
I am 59 year old LVN starting my BSN program to finally get my RN. I plan on working until I literally can not work any longer. Hopefully at least 25 years from now.

Wow. That's a pretty ambitious plan. Hope it happens for you!

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Demanding that nurses have a BSN is also feeding the shortage.

I'm still working as a nurse but I'm completely independent with my own business. What I'm doing requires that you be at least a RN. I wish I'd found this years ago.

Who wants to work 12h shifts at 60? Not me.

Who wants to work for a measly 2 weeks vacation. Not me.

There are many factors feeding the shortage and some of them are deliberate.

Nurses are their own worst enemy.

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I will graduate before my 41st bday!! Im glad im not the only that feels this way.

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Bedside nursing is kind of like the NFL---at any time you're only one play away from being sidelined.

There are however, specialties where you can work well past retirement age. Psych Nursing comes to mind.

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Specializes in Clinical Leadership, Staff Development, Education.

When I was teaching nursing school, I loved the "nontraditional" student like yourself. You will bring empathy and compassion that only life experience can provide.

Good for you!

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