Where are all the "older" nurses?

Nurses Relations

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I'm a new nursing student. 2nd career. I'm 48. I've been doing a lot of student shadowing at my local hospital in the different departments lately and its been amazing! Everything from NICU to Cardiac Cath lab the whole gambit. One trend is a lot of 20 something early 30 something nurses. Both male and female. Primarily female. All very professional and knowledgeable. What happens to the 40 to 70 year olds? They make so much money they retire early? haha really?

Specializes in as above.

we earned our stripes and know how to talk to the patients. I retired 2 years ago, but I miss it. Med Surg, OBS, Psych. But things have changed. Management has to turn to a holes! I got frustrated talking to young nurses because there is an art to talking to staff & patients.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Late 50s, still in the ER. At my request I mostly do triage, after my CA txs I fatigue a little more than I used to. My nursing license is older than most of my colleagues. My former students are becoming my supervisors.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Where I work, there are actually quite a few older nurses. On my floor,

we currently have a 68 year old RN and a 72-73 year old RN. I think

the 68 year old is getting ready to go PRN, but the 73 year old is still

chugging along. God bless her heart, she can't afford to retire or go

PRN.

Then we JUST had two day shift RN's retire from my floor; one of

them was around 65, 66 I believe, and the other was 72 and as

spry and in shape as I am at 43, if not way more so!

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When I started out as a new nurse (25 1/2 years ago), there were a lot more career bedside nurses. Nursing can be very physically demanding, and I think a lot of nurses who still might want to practice have gone for jobs away from the bedside, or in less physically demanding settings. Also, some nurses do switch to 8 hour shifts, finding them a better match for work life balance.

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I'm old enough for Medicare now and still working as close to full time as I want to ... as a consultant earning a damn good hourly rate in my own business. Fortunately, in my line of work, a bit of grey around the temples and a few laugh lines around the eyes and mouth are a plus, not a negative. They WANT people who are experienced, have seen it all or know where to find out more promptly, who don't have to change a date or deadline because of children's needs... I couldn't do this work if I were a fresh-faced 26-yr-old (that was when I was a hotshot ICU nurse, for which I am entirely too old now!). The travel beats me up a little more than I'd like, but hey. I get my hourly rate door-to-door, and that is of considerable consolation. :)

I love this!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

The older nurses exist....

I'm almost 40 and a new RN. People look at me and think I'm quite a bit younger. It could be that some older nurses look young. My hospital recently hired a lot of new grads--some are my age but look young (I know at least 2 coworkers older than me who I thought were young)

they also hired some who are basically my daughters age! 21-23! Good for them, I say!

There are nurses as old as 60 at my facility, as well. They don't look like it, I only know because they told me their age.

I work in an acute care hospital that features 8 hr shifts.

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Specializes in Neuro.

My father's Murse this morning mentioned to me he's 63 years old😏 they're out there👍

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Specializes in Surgery.

The older nurses are in administrative or education roles. After 30 years+, I went to education. Couldn't take 8-12 hours standing at an OR table anymore. Decided to use my experience and training to bring up the next generation. After all, they will be taking care of me, and I want them to know how to do it.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I've been AARP eligible for quite some time, and I'm back in school...only 6 courses, 501 practica hours, one certification test, and a bunch of paperwork away from becoming an APN! :coollook:

HELLOOO, retirement career.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I work with a good mix. I am an older new-ish nurse. I am in my 50s. I see many of the new nurses not stay for long, they get their 2-3 years under their belt and then NP school and then they are gone. I have been a nurse for 5 years and I am working toward MSN in Informatics. I have great respect for those that have been on my unit for 20+ years.

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Hang-on.... here I am ... I'm coming!

62 year old "disabled" male here!

Just completed 2 year RN program at a community college applying for NCLEX as we speak!

Former Certified surgical tech from a well known hospital here in Los Angeles - took me sometime to get over a few of life's hurdles - count me in!!

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Specializes in ICU.

I know a nurse that just turned 80! I was floored. I knew she was older than 65, but 80? And she still rocks!

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