Where are all the "older" nurses?

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2016

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.

allnurses Guide · Dec 21, 2016

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!

Carabella · Dec 21, 2016

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.

Carabella · Dec 21, 2016

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!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 21, 2016

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.

MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN · Dec 21, 2016

My father's Murse this morning mentioned to me he's 63 years oldðŸ˜ they're out thereðŸ‘

RobtheORNurse · Dec 21, 2016

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.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Dec 22, 2016

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.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2016

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.

Haleiwa · Dec 23, 2016

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!!

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Dec 23, 2016

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

Lisa Middleton · Dec 24, 2016

I've been a nurse since age 23, and now at 58 I don't see retirement in my near future...but not by choice! My back was injured yrs ago off the job, and the job doesn't help it now. I have been through the most wonderful bedside and clinic jobs, with wonderful co-workers, to the most horrifying workplace bullying which made me cry and leave the job after 2 yrs! The great jobs I got "downsized" from before they closed. The bad ones made me want to leave nursing altogether! Age discrimination has hit me, too....having once had another nurse tell me she thought I couldn't do the job because of my age! (I was acing my exams!) The only thing I can tell you is that you may need an exit plan for when things get to be too much for you physically or because of the stress. Employers are demanding more from us all the time with fewer resources to help us. Burnout among us older nurses is REAL. Many leave due to stress, and I wish I could leave now, but will be dragging it out by staying part-time instead. The last thing I would like to say is that there are many good nurses out there with lots of knowledge to share, but many do not choose to share wisdom. They choose to bully, love drama, and drive good people to leave jobs they have dreamt of doing forever! Lack of confidence means lack of experience only! BE the nurse that takes a "newbie" under your wing and mentors, SEE the nurse having a hard time with co-workers and do NOT ignore it! Befriend, mentor, share knowledge, and realize how many lives you will touch through HER in the future! Even the new "older" employee may have some knowledge to impart in turn! God bless!