What to do when co-workers can't keep up any more?

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don't get me wrong, i am not 25 anymore. but 2 of my nursing co-workers are of retirement age and both have significant medical problems, are exceedingly slow and vague, and make huge mistakes. i am fearful one or both of them will kill somebody before they decide to retire. one could be out on disability right now but "can't imagine not coming here every day." (i hate to tell her, but it's not about her.) both have poor eyesight. one takes percocet for pain. i can't believe the powers that be at my hospital can't see how poorly they perform. i fear for them and mostly for their patients. is there anything i can do? :confused:

Specializes in Hospice.
I'm not sure my opinion on the situation exactly, but one thing I can comment on is the decision that these nurses made to keep working - when those jobs could go to new grads so that the unfortunate overload of new grads going without work doesnt continue.

With all the respect in the world, are you really arguing that we old folks are somehow obligated to quit so the younger folk can take our jobs?

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Specializes in CVICU, Obs/Gyn, Derm, NICU.
I'm not sure my opinion on the situation exactly, but one thing I can comment on is the decision that these nurses made to keep working - when those jobs could go to new grads so that the unfortunate overload of new grads going without work doesnt continue.

The economy is the problem ... not older nurses who are still working

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I'm not sure my opinion on the situation exactly, but one thing I can comment on is the decision that these nurses made to keep working - when those jobs could go to new grads so that the unfortunate overload of new grads going without work doesnt continue.

And you think these older experienced nurses have some sort of greater obligation to the nameless, faceless new grads to provide them with jobs than they do to themselves and their own family to put food on the table?

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The economy is the problem ... not older nurses who are still working

I doubt that anyone graciously gave up their job to these older nurses when they started out.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Too bad the OP hasn't had time to come back and respond with a little more info. The conversation is both an interesting and an important one.

The reality is that aging often leads to reduced cognitive and physical capabilities. I know I'll never be fast enough again to cut it in a busy ER, for instance.

That doesn't automatically mean that nurses my age should be barred from the ER, though.

It's also a reality that some elders are in serious denial about their decline ... consider how hard it is to get an elder to give up driving in a timely fashion.

So ... how do we go about dealing with the issues of an aging nursing work force without either compromising patient safety or throwing the baby out with the bath water by cutting out highly experienced professionals?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Nurses that compromise pt safety for whatever reason should be made aware of their mistakes by their nurse manager...no matter their age.

Older nurses who have certain medical problems that prevent them from doing the heavy labor that nurses are expected to do should not be just "canned". They are a WEALTH of information, and a teaching/educator position would benefit both the older nurse and the younger less experienced nurses.

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I feel as though I have to explain myself - I fully agree with PEDICURN, the economy is the problem.

I didnt say I blame the nurses for continuing to work - I didnt place the blame on anyone, thank you. I made a comment regarding the impact of their decision. The fact is that their decision is impacting the market for new grads - I didnt say it's their fault that they have to work.

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Specializes in Hospice.
I feel as though I have to explain myself - I fully agree with PEDICURN, the economy is the problem.

I didnt say I blame the nurses for continuing to work - I didnt place the blame on anyone, thank you. I made a comment regarding the impact of their decision. The fact is that their decision is impacting the market for new grads - I didnt say it's their fault that they have to work.

Whether an older nurse has to work or simply wants to is beside the point. Would you mind expanding on your point a little bit? I'm afraid it came across as implying that the job market is tight because the older nurses aren't getting out of the way.

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I don't think it is just an age issue.

I actually AM 25, and I can't keep up anymore either!

:uhoh3:

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Whether an older nurse has to work or simply wants to is beside the point. Would you mind expanding on your point a little bit? I'm afraid it came across as implying that the job market is tight because the older nurses aren't getting out of the way.

It has been noted that there are "older" nurses either going back to full time from part time or going back to work d/t spouse's job loss....so yes there are some hanging around longer than they intended.....

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Specializes in Hospice.
It has been noted that there are "older" nurses either going back to full time from part time or going back to work d/t spouse's job loss....so yes there are some hanging around longer than they intended.....

That's true enough ... and is also happening in all industries, not just nursing.

The implication I was trying to address, however, was this one: "... those jobs could go to new grads so that the unfortunate overload of new grads going without work doesnt continue."

Sure seems to imply that older nurses should quit so the younger nurses can get work.

All that nit-picking aside, though, I think the OP asked an important question in that it asks what to do when age-related physical changes result in impaired performance. The larger question is how older nurses are treated in the industry and is there a better way to do it.

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The older nurses shouldnt quit so the younger nurses can get to work - again, its just a fact that the younger nurses are impacted bc the older nurses aren't retiring - not that this is their fault. Perhaps I should have said: "those jobs could go to new grads to help alleviate the unfortunate...."

Another thing that just popped into my head: I've seen many job descriptions "...be able to lift up to 50 lbs, ..." or something similar. When age related changes impact a nurse and they can't fulfill their job duty...well that's a reason to not go into management.

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