Survival Tips for Nurses over 50

Posted by in Healthcare •


In the U.S., approximately 850,000 registered nurses (RNs) are between the ages of 50 and 64. If you’re one of these hardworking individuals, you know what a challenge it is to maintain your energy level and avoid RN burnout.

 

The good news is conditions are improving for older nurses. Donna Herrin, RN, MSN and senior vice president at Martin Health System notes that more hospitals and healthcare centers are improving work place conditions to encourage experienced nurses to stay on the job.

 

To help you not only survive but thrive, consider the following suggestions from peers and experts alike:

 

Reduce Workload. Ask your employer for accommodations that will make your work a bit easier, says Joan Borgatti, RN, MEd, author of Frazzled, Fried...Finished? A Guide to Help Nurses Find Balance. Some employers may reduce your shift from the grueling 12 to a more manageable 8 hours. Older nurses suffer job-related back pain more than workers in any other profession. In fact, one survey revealed that two-thirds of all orthopedic nurses and more than half of all ICU nurses suffer debilitating back pain at least once in their careers. It’s not unreasonable for you to ask your employer to provide hoists and lifts to help move patients.

 

Reduce Eyestrain. Squinting to read tiny type on computer screens can pose a challenge for older nurses. Herrin suggests that nurses ask for larger text and readouts on computers and other medical equipment to ensure accuracy and reduce eyestrain. Simple steps like these can maintain productivity and improve morale for aging workers.

 

Switch Units. Ask to work in pediatrics or outpatient surgery, which are typically less physically demanding than orthopedics or rehabilitation, says Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN, Board Member of the American Nurses Association that provides workplace advocacy for nonunion nurses.

 

Survive Night Shifts. Eat a full meal before your shift. As you well know, the cafeteria can be either closed or offer paltry leftovers at night. So carry some healthy snacks to get through the night. And get at least 8 hours of sleep during the day to avoid those 3 a.m. naps. When you get home at dawn, don’t go to sleep immediately. Relax for a while. Read or watch TV. Allow your body to tell you when it’s time to sleep. If you work multiple shifts, try to gradually ease into the night shift, segueing from evening shift to night shift to allow your body to adjust. Don’t rely on alcohol or sleeping pills to help you sleep. Allow your body to establish normal circadian rhythms for restful sleep.

 

Making life easier for older nurses is not rocket science. Employers want to keep you since you are an experienced and valued asset. So ask for things that will take the load off your workload. You may just get what you ask for.

 

Image courtesy of stockimages/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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  • Dale P
    Dale P •
    All nurses over 50 need to know about jeunism,a form of ageism.
  • Bertha P
    Bertha P •
    Love this article since I am one of the other generation. Thanks for looking out for us.
  • Mae H
    Mae H •
    Please be respectful and inclusive of the LPN/LVN. We are nurses too and are either on the way to earning our RN or have chosen another path such as social work or education. And...also include the CNA who is generally embarking on the path of becoming a Registered Nurse. Thank you.
  • Gail M
    Gail M •
    I turned 70 in March. Still work 3 days a week. Suffer from chronic back pain. Instead of calling in sick one day, I went to work. Was on mandatory call from 3p-7p the same day.  Told my manager I didn't think I would last 12 hours. She told me I couldn't leave unless I found some to take my place which I didn't. Most of the nurses I work with are 40-45 years younger than I am. I can still hold my own, but it's difficult.  Have been at the same hospital 26 years. After this incident, I will never go in extra again. I am so disgusted!  Stay because I need the money.
  • Cindy P
    Cindy P •
    I am  50yrs. Old been in nursing 30 years both bedside care and management. My burnout doesn't come from hard work but rather from the treatment we receive with Medicare and Medicaid cutbacks even the younger nurses are burned out and wondering why they choose this field after a year or two service. Also it is a very thankless career from the public as we get everything from cussed at  to spit on even worse. When I have even one patient say thank you for being here its worth the back breaking work
  • Cara L
    Cara L •
    The sad fact is that age discrimination is alive and thriving and impossible to prove.  I have been looking for full-time work for 5 years and have had 4 interviews.  One interview I had was over the moment I walked through the door.  I could see it on the man's face. I saw him first.  He was smiling and looking at my resume and pointing to it while talking to an associate.  It was clearly obvious that he did not even want to talk to me after he saw me.  His mouth dropped open a little and then that smile turned into a small disappointed frown.  He greeted me with a tight-lipped little smile.  My interview was over in less than five minutes.
  • Pam L
    Pam L •
    I feel that I have more to give the health care community.  I completed the MSN as a nurse educator.  I was fired for failing to take a public speaking course.  I will be 63 in just a few days. I can tutor nursing students and be paid by a SON.  I liked tutoring and my students did improve.  
  • DELORES C
    DELORES C •
    The above suggestions are wonderful. It would relive alot of stress, pain and burnout...
  • Sandy M
    Sandy M •
    Thank you for this insight. I turn 60 in July and work full time as a medical case manager.
  • james h
    james h •
    How aboutLPN's.
  • Martha F
    Martha F •
    Sounds great, however, this may not be good for nurses who work for a for profit company without a union or strong allies.
  • Grace R
    Grace R •
    I appreciate your opinion, unfortunately it is not very popular.I have been an RN for 30 years,pimarily ED Nursing. I have paid my dues. Working nights, OT when call ins, no lunch or bathroom breaks, working holidays and not getting paid back by newer nurses. I had emergency Cervical Spine Surgery and had a very difficult recovery. Iwa having probleswith medication abuse, symptoms were noted by upper staff members but no assitance offered. Eventually I was sked to leave due to poor working skills. I have lost all respect in myself.I am afraid to work with medications again due to the temptation to abuse again. I have not worked in almost 1 year. I have no faith in myself. I am probably going to apply for work in a grocery store. I truly believe that as nurses we eat our young. We abuse our workers.We give of ourselves because that is what we are but in the end we get screwed for being giving. I am very disllusioned. I used to be proud to say I was a nurse. I will never admit that again. I am lost and do not know what to do. I have considered suicide so my family would have my life insurance to live on. I am 50 and wish I was 80 and ready to kick the bucket.
  • Donna W
    Donna W •
    What do I think? Methinks Alex be not a nurse. Fabulous writing, however.
  • Madelyn C
    Madelyn C •
    On what fantasy planet do you get to ask your higher ups for these luxuries?I got myself dismissed for needing these changes.  Not a chance for rehire as it's much cheaper to hire a new grad for less money. I'm 63 and just got my license as a Professional Massage therapist.After 42 years in health care hospitals are not where I ethically choose to practice.What you propose above is a fantasy.
  • Lee D
    Lee D •
    Sally K and Barbara F,if you happen to see this, there are federal laws that protect the aging working class. Contact your local EEOC and tell them that you think you were fired or being treated differently because of your age.
  • Victoria G
    Victoria G •
    Great article! I am going to give my Supervisor a copy. I  have been trying to change my  shift from 12 hr. to 8 hr.. Maybe they will listen to me now! Thanks.
  • Barbara N
    Barbara N •
    This gave little info we did not already know. It is very difficult to even get a job in many states. CT has an overload of RNs . I have an AAS and BA but without the BSN there is nothing . In Nursing you are used than abused . There is little management support . SNFs and ALF all use staffing agencies with no accountability . I should have left yrs ago . Also the pay for a seasoned experienced is 2.00 to 3.00 more per hr . Where in the corporate world would this be tolerated ???
  • Pamela B
    Pamela B •
    Excellent advice from  one of those older nurses that suffers from back pain & burn out.
  • Karen C
    Karen C •
    I disagree, I feel that Employers are trying to put more stress on long term employees to get us out, we cost to much money for them.  They are not thinking of the experience or quality anymore, it's all about the money now.  The Government is coming down hard on healthcare and healthcare, the patient and the healthcare worker are all suffering. I am off due to a stress related depression from job and home life. You can't have both anymore, it is one or the other. I am so sad, I have been in nursing for 27 years and for a career I always dreamed of as a child, I regret with all my being now as a 50 year old nurse.
  • Ann B
    Ann B •
    I have been nursing since 1975 and there is definitely age discrimination.  In 2007 I did Travel Nursing. I ended up doing it   longer than I wanted to. When I needed to remain home and return to a traditional full time position found it very difficult to obtain a position, or even get a response to my resume.  I am a BSN with chemo certification,  med surge, oncology, hospice, home care experience.   I finally did get a position working on a spine ortho floor.  I work nights because I don't want to be involved in all the politics.  I prefer doing 12 hour shifts as I am off more days than on.  I am grateful for  my position.  Hospitals now staff based on census only, not acuity, so patient care suffers as well as the nurse.  Also notice the shift with "evidence based practice"  "core measures" that  patient care is not patient centered.  If you are not a pediatric nurse- switching to pediatrics is not an answer, but would only be more stressful.
  • Linda Q
    Linda Q •
    I'm 57, work 12 hr shifts. I get worn out after 2 days in a row. There are no 8 hr shifts. I'm trying to figure out other options. Even the young nurses  complain of back, leg, and foot pain.
  • Marie H
    Marie H •
    Well said. After several years in hospital I opted for County Health Dept., then got a masters and have been teaching nursing for the past 14 years. Not easier, but better for the back. Out of date? No way. I must study and read to stay current across a wide range of nursing topics and nursing education information, all of it changing rapidly like the rest of the world Age 65.MH Assoc. Prof NursingMSN, Certified Nurse Educator
  • VICKIE W
    VICKIE W •
    I understand the nurse has a hard time at age 50+ but try being a CNA in a nursing home. They want 12 hour shifts, and have you 6 days in a row with 2 off and work you shorthanded. You ache all over not just your back and not paid even close to a nurse. You are trying to help the elderly live a better and functional life and you really get taken for being no one important.
  • Wendy N
    Wendy N •
    I am a 66-year old LPN of almost 40 years and have worked the 11-7 shift for over 3 1/2 years.  These recommendations do not solely apply to RNs.  Include us in your article next time.
  • Mary G
    Mary G •
    This WOULD be great, but my experience is that the younger management does NOT recognize our value and make working conditions SO unbearable, so that we just give up and quit!

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