What is the best role for nurses over 50?

You can't be sorry for those who choose to take offense from a question. Offense is a choice and we all have to make a conscious decision to TAKE OFFENSE.
That being said I'm 58 years young and have over 30years working as a registered nurse.
Speaking from my personal experience it's not about if at the age of 50,60, or 70 can I do the job. For me at 58 I'm not willing to continue to put my body through the mental and physical obstacle course of what bedside nursing has to offer in this day and age. Im not in denial about where I am in life and quite frankly my joints and focus has changed. I'm not looking to prove that I can do the job. I'm looking to be able to enjoy my life. I work to live, not live to work. I've learned to work with my mind and not my back. That being said, here's a few jobs that I've worked in and found quite rewarding after I turned 50.
1. Clinical Nurse Instructor
2. Infection control nurse
3. Nurse case manager
4. Quality Management chart auditor
I hope this answers your question

I take pleasure in teaching future nurse at a community level

I have been a nurse since 1974. My speciality, Surgical Services (Operating Room & Endoscopy).
I am experienced in all specialties: open heart, orthopedics, vascular, general, GYN, ENT, eyes & robotics.
The best role for a nurse over 50, is to do what is your passion, if you are able to. Age should be irrelevant if you are doing your job. This question offended me. I will turn 70 this year.

The nurse over fifty can perform in any role. The best role is the one that is best suited to that individual nurse; it depends on the nurse's preference. However, Case Management is a good role. The nurse gets to provide health education and assist patients in making informed decisions about their care. The nurse case manager also gets to provide patients with resources that can help them to better manage their disease process. This allow patients to have more confidence and better understand the process. This knowledge and resources if utilized correctly can decrease the patients' hospitalization and lead to better health outcomes for them. Nurse educator is also a good role, as it allow that nurse to help create a positive impact on new nurses. Guiding them along the student journey, as it can be a difficult one. There is also legal nurse consultant. So I would say there is not one best role for nurses over 50, but a variety of roles that nurses over 50 can consider.

I am over 50 and work as a manager. Worked for years as a manager. I also taught nursing. I view nurses over 50 years of age as diamonds. During, after the height of COVID, and now, the experience of the bedside nurse has changed. Thousands of new nurses had the traditional clinical experience interrupted. All the U-tube videos in the world cannot take the real world experience of clinicals and hands on experience. Thousands of travel nurses are new nurses. As seasoned nurses in our 50’s, we take these young nurses under our wings and teach them on technical and communication skills. I had nurses who never started IVs, inserted catheters, or problems engaging in empathetic or crucial conversations with patients and families. I love videos to introduce and reinforce skills, but real hands on is priceless. I’m in my late 50’s and young nurses are amazed at my skills, talents, and energy. If you love something, age is just a number. Older nurses can help young and other nurses gain or get back in touch the true reason they became a nurse. Our leave this statement for another time. Patients, families, health care organizations, and communities expect safe and quality care, and the 50+ nurses are assets to help instill and guide practices.

Travel nursing. I began Travel Nursing in RV at 50. Best thing ever! I am now 56, traveling correctional nurse, medical surgical and grad with NP next Monday.

retirement and a vacation

I'm over 65 and found it difficult to keep up on the medical floors the last few years. I am now working at a call center for a large doctors clinic and I love it. I refill prescriptions, make referrals, call patients with lab results and instructions, make appointments and contact insurance companies for prior authorizations. Although I don't actually see patients I talk to them on the phone.

After 30 years in the ED, mostly in triage and trauma, I recently started with a vascular access team. We start US guided IVs all over the hospital. We are very popular and very much appreciated! Quite a welcome change 😃

I also became an infusion nurse at age 54 and I’m still there. I absolutely love my job. I love the patients. They’re in and out. Not a lot of walking. Not that stressful. At times it can be very busy but it always calms down. I’m 62 now and still going strong.

I came off the floor at age 54 (thank God!) and did infusion for a couple of years and now do same day surgery which is where I’ll probably stay until I can retire (5-7 more years). I’m almost 63 and I’m grateful for the hours (Mon-Fri) and very little lifting and out by 1pm, not to mention holidays with my family again

I am almost 48 and found my love in outpatient infusion. I still get to take care of patients and they become like family. They are (walkie-talkie) so they don’t require a bunch of lifting or things to that affect. I start IV’s, use PICC lines, access ports. We give a couple chemos but mostly blood and platelets transfusions, iron, hydration and such. We even draw labs and give a couple injections. I absolutely love my job!❤️ Good luck to you.

Outpatient! Oncology or Dermatology might be an option as well as urgent care or private practice offices. People forget that there is a nursing need outside the hospital too. Hope it helps!

Case Management, Discharge Planning, Utilization Review.

That would be whatever area you are qualified to work in. Please remember you have nurses who are just entering the profession at 50.

Over 50? What's that supposed to mean? At 50 we r in our prime. I'm 57 and nursing for 20yrs and just started in the ICU! It's new and kicks my butt but I love it! ❤️

A Management position, so their knowledge can be passed down to younger staff. Also nursing is hard on the body physically so some nurses over 50 start to feel the effects of their physical labor when younger

I don't agree that at 50 you should apply for a management position. Management is really hard physically and mentally. You need to put in twice the amount of work that you did as a floor nurse. If you have the opportunity Case Management or Insurance Nurse are great position that could carry you into retirement. Good luck.

For me at 57 it's retirement in 2 years. School Nursing is what I have done for the past 23 years but it's time to clear a path for a new nurse. Pulbic school settings are changing and I look forward to spending my retirement checks traveling the world....... Life is short!

PACU!

I have been a nurse since 1972 , and looking back to when I was 50 was not different than when I was first working in Critical at 20. I don't believe it should matter unless the nurse has physical limitations and that would be the only consideration, as I have seen nurses in their upper 60-70's functioning just as well or even better than a new grad.

Anything you have a passion to do 😊

Personally, I don’t think there should be an age cut off on what you can do as a nurse, may it be transitioning from clinical to management or whatever. May you be under 50 or over 50, I think your role depends on where your heart, interest and passion lies. The role that you assume past 50 is pretty much self-determined. The best role for me may not be applicable to you.
Nursing defines you as a person. Does it really matter what role you assume?
Follow your heart. That’s what I’ll do if I were in your place. By the way, I’m way past 50 and still LOVE what I do as an OR nurse for 42 years and counting.
Good luck!

Those of you who take offense - please consider those of us over 50 with chronic pain, either job related, age related, or like me from autoimmune disease, who physically cannot handle bedside nursing. I have more experience and knowledge than ever in my almost 40 years of nursing, but my body and mind are too exhausted for bedside nursing. I work from home doing rare disease management. It also can be stressful, as I think any job in nursing is - there are no “cake jobs” in this field!

Wherever the individual nurse feels their experience and health can allow them to practice is where they should be. One valuable lesson Never break a solid foundation they are the solidity and experience in practice.

I don’t know, I have been a nurse for 20 years Lpn, then recieved my RN just under 3 years ago, should have aBSN by spring ( I’m 57 healthy and fit and I do not want to slow down) I have been a floor nurse Ortho, Neuro,worked at a SNF as a floor nurse, unit manager and currently at an ALF as an ADON.There are many options .

IMHO- some of the best roles for nurses over 50 are in patient education-like diabetes educator, asthma or cardiac rehab. It allows us to use our broad range of knowledge,
Continue our involvement with patients, yet allows for a standard schedule and has less physical demands. Alternatively, utilization review or quality are also good choices.

Insurance companies as a care or a case manager with disease or chronic disease cases. Work from home. No nights, holidays or weekends. Humana, Aetna/CVS, Cigna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield .

Clinical Instructor

Why anyone is offended is beyond me. There is nothing wrong with asking questions. The answer from some that were offended could have simply been "I am still physically, emotionally, and mentally able to do my postpartum, PACU, ICU (whatever) position after 25 years in my specialty and at age 60". Or something similar. I didn't interpret your question to be ageism but instead as someone who might now be experiencing some physical issues and knowing a change was needed. I know of several nurses who have sustained back, shoulder and /or neck injuries. Have arthritis. Got dx with multiple sclerosis. Went thru a terrible car accident and are walking around with titanium plates holding them together. Recovering from cancer. Suffering from fibromyalgia or plantar fasciitis. There are a lot of reasons why a nurse might think a less strenuous position would be beneficial for themselves as well as their patients.

My suggestion to anyone, young or old, who feels like they need a physical or mental change from bedside nursing is to consider: public health nursing (often no bedside care involved, it is paperwork and tracking of populations that need community resources), insurance companies (often can work from home processing claims), taking classes and moving to case management. Trying to change specialties (like going from postpartum to NICU where they heaviest patients there are usually less than 12 lb, lol).

I hope this helps. Good luck.

1.

Whatever makes you happy! Try something new at any age. There is no age limit or requirement for nurse positions that I am aware of. (I believe that might be illegal!).

Thanks! I've tried a few things in a few areas. It seems older nurses have a bad rap for being bullies and hard to work with. I hope I can manage that successfully. So far it's been challenging, even in a staffing shortage. It's a bit strange, I think.

I am 55. It may be illegal to discriminate because of age, but I assure you, discrimination is alive and well! After my "Covid contract" abruptly came to an end, I immediately began searching for another LPN position. Long story short, I am currently working at a department store for $13/hr, and feeling completely defeated, and rather hopeless. Many organizations claim they need nurses yet, here I am.

FNP with your own practice that you can run the way you want. Cash pay, boutique, with memberships.

I would suggest a remote position such as triage or telehealth. There are also insurance companies looking for RN’s to work as consultants for medical claims.

Hi there, I think it is positive you are looking at longevity in the arena of nursing. I have been a nurse 32 years mostly in the high paced areas of ED, ICU. I am fit and very active, however I wanted to get out of direct patient care permanently as I have experienced enough. I have been out of patient care for about 8 years now.

I really enjoyed the house supervisor/patient placement position but it can get crazy with a lot of responsibilities. I currently am enjoying utilization management. My current position opens up the choices of working from home and/or working part time. And because of all my previous clinical and administrative experiences it was an easy transition. There is continual growth and educational opportunities.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Home

I'm newer to the industry but - I've heard many older nurses happy in OR/pre-op, nurse recruiting for hospitals, primary care offices, and tele-health. I hope you find something that works for you! :)

Any thing your interested in doing.

Infusion nurse! I think it's the best way to continue to be a nurse and it's not too hard on your body. I'm not even 50 and I love Infusion nursing.

If the physicality of the job is an issue, try Ambulatory Surgery or an infusion center. It’s still fast paced, but not as physically demanding as other areas. I’m 55 and I love it.

I am 68 with a lot of physical/ orthopedic issues. My brain is strong and I have varied experiences. I work doing telehealth for an insurance company. I actually find it rewarding. People definitely see the value in this. I took no offense to the question. Actually I thought it was insightful since often we slow down as we get older.

I became an RN at age 50. I started in medsurg, then worked in home health, where I worked until cancer knocked me out at age 67. I loved home health, I would have continued working for years. Do whatever nursing job brings you the most joy.

I’m in the cardiac cath lab and I love it

I have been a nurse since 1975. I tried retirement in 2022, and I am looking to come out of retirement.
Nursing is a calling and you can't stop. I have been working in a nurse manager position for the last 26 years, doing home visits, from infusion dressing changes, to admissions of patients, helping my nurses at the oncology clinic during COVID, training new nurses during orientation to Home Infusion nursing.
I may not be as fast as the newer nurses, but I can still provide positive quality patient care, whether at the bedside, education or management. I also listen and provide attentive care, keeping my cell phone in my pocket. So any role that you love you can do it, as long as your health holds up. I even went back and obtained my masters in nursing in 2017. It was something I had always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity until then. You can do what your heart calls you to do to help others. Yvette

If you like the hospital setting I’d say Interventional Radiology or GI lab. They are slower placed, not a lot of lifting, and you typically only have 1 patient at a time.

Any role you want lol…. Life and work don’t stop because you are over 50… you just enjoy it more 😉

Now is the time to seek something in the medical file to your liking (passionate about).

Retirement. Lol just kidding😀

What role is there for over 50 is the same for a 25 year old. The benefit I bring is 30 years of multi scope practice. For me , vascular access specialist will always be my favorite.

Bullies come in all ages and skin tones. As for work, anywhere they feel confident and capable to work.

Clinical instructor

Any role

Managed care, utilization Review, case management or coder, risk management/adjustment. Look into health insurance companies like Aetna, United, Humana etc

Infusion Suite! I love it. Also I teach nursing clinicals which I enjoy. My most favorite job as a nurse is infusion. Least favorite Home Health. I worked medsurg 29 years..don’t do that it will break your body down hard. I say move around try different areas.

New speciality as they desire and remind each colleague that ageism and stigma thrives in all fields. That’s why it’s a law.

I am 56. I have been a floor nurse for 30 years.
I can not sit for long periods so staff nursing in long term care keeps me on my feet. My hips and back are better for walking.

For those that felt the question was offensive. It was not meant to be. Everyone is hyper sensitive. I agree with the answers about follow your passion no matter what age. Life is short be happy!

I graduated at the age of 50. I have worked in nursing homes, in a county jail, hospice, medical records, COVID testing for a school district, and home health. I'm 66 and I find I like hospice sitting for one person 10-12 hours.

Home Health RN Case manager, if you do not mind the charting or Travel Nursing

Psych

Managment , clinical teaching , clinical areas in the hospital where the Nurse feel confortable and safe to practice, outside the hospital in clinic , ambulatory care , becoming an DNP to work with patient or teach , any position related to Nursing
That makes the Nurse happy and useful to herself and society ; to have a productive life spasm .

I've been a school nurse for 24 years. I started with motherhood to have more time off with my daughter and continued after she was grown. While school nursing can be challenging, as the nurse has to become the resident expert on any and all conditions a student may have, I do not find it physically taxing. The hourly pay is generally lower (sometimes considerably lower) than other nursing roles and some find it difficult to have no other nurses with whom to consult. It's imperative to have administrative support.

I agree that I don't believe the question was meant to be offensive. I don't want to presume what the poster was thinking but I'm guessing the implication is that the poster is at a point where bedside nursing is not working out, whether it is due to energy level or life event changes or whatever. Of course, one can do any sort of nursing at any age if one has the stamina and the desire. No one is assuming that if you are over 50 that you are too "old" to be a certain kind of nurse - I think, however, that a lot of nurses are considering nonpatient care roles as they get older precisely because they want to keep working but don't want to work 12 hour shifts or weekends.

I'm 77, and until my knee surgery two years ago I taught clinicals for a local university on a trauma unit. I found the 12 hour shifts difficult after surgery, so I now work in a neuro clinic. I have been offered a chance to teach lectures and shorter clinicals and may do that as well. It's not your chronological age - it's how you feel emotionally and physically. I work because I love it. I'm also in the middle of a PhD. Follow your interests and your heart.

I would suggest becoming a nurse coder. It's very lucrative: you can make your own hours and the hourly wage is high. All you have to do is take a coding certification class and look at Indeed. It could be your hospital needs coders. They make sure the billing codes (ICD and CPT codes ) are correct so when they send the bill to the insurance company or CMS, the facility gets reimbursed properly. Believe it or not, one little number that is reversed on the bill leads o denial.

retirement and a cruise!

I’m 58 and have been an RN for 30 years most of which has been in home infusion nursing! I wasn’t at all offended by the question. I believe I was lead to do this type of nursing as my health needs have changed and have affected what I can and can’t do. Because of this type of nursing, I will be able to continue nursing for as long as I want.

There is no ‘Best Role’ based on age alone - what is your desired field? If you are looking for an ‘easy role’ , you are not meant for nursing- Nursing requires passion and desires. Once you determine these, you determine your interest. Not everyone is meant for or desires leadership roles - almost every field has multiple positions from bedside, to leadership, to education, to research and so on.

Dialysis

I retired at 52... (31 years of service) now traveling the world and enjoying my grandchildren. I had to decide how much is enough... how much stress, how much money and how much of my life would be left to live if i didn't.
It's a personal choice. I now feel I will live as long as I worked so it's like getting paid double and im healthy enough to enjoy it .. not sure I would have had the same perspective if I waited till 65.
Don't let them nickle and dime you into staying. Is a couple hundred dollars more worth giving up these prime years of your life... for me the answer was no.

Ambulatory care in primary care to provide education and develop relationship and rapport with pts

"Best" is a subjective term in relation to your question. ....and 50...is nifty. 😏

I became a Population Health Coach. I have been an investigator, an auditor, a Workers Compensation Case Manager, and a Nurse Consultant for a PBM.
There are many roles that relay on the lifetime of experience an older nurse develops. As the Health Care System is increasingly complex, ther will continue to be strong demand.
The managed care system has long understood that nurses’ roles connect with everyone in a Health event. PS: nurses are also cheaper than doctors.
One thing to consider: you read—A LOT.

I personally like the educator or nurse leader roll. You have have a lot of experience to share with the younger nurses and you don’t have to stress your body by “running the floors”.

PAT

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Consider ambulatory care.

One that suites your experience and makes you happy.

And, I’ll bet the nurses who got offended at your question aren’t over 50!

I was out of nursing for almost 5 years. It is hard to know what to do to be active again. I started back as a substitute school nurse, all levels. By the end of the year one of the schools was offering a full time position. I really liked working in the schools. But, I didn’t want to work full time so I declined. After that I got a position at a Home Health/private duty agency that served both adults and kids. I worked with 1 or 2 patients and then ended up staying with the third patient for 7 years. If you’re honest about what you feel you can do you’ll get hired. And you can always ask the nursing supervisor questions or to sign up for a workshop in an area you need some help with. Private duty is always looking for nurses! Most of the time you’re monitoring the patients, doing vitals, giving meds, turning or repositioning and changing wet clothes and bed linens. I found out each caregiver, parent or set of parents, want any emergency care done a certain way, and they have the ultimate say. These parents know what to expect because, when the patient or child is first diagnosed, they have to care for the patient 24/7. They are overjoyed to have the time to care for the rest of the family, or sleep! Most, if not all, of the parents are sleep deprived. Plus you can pretty much work any time you want to! You’ll set up your own routine and, as long as the parents or caregivers are OK with it, you’re good to go. You can probably tell, private duty pediatric nursing has become close to my heart! Good luck!

Im 57 & left a 10 yr telephonic nursing job for a Hospice position & I LOVE it!! My boss appreciates my experience, my coworkers are great (we are really a team who works well supporting one another), & the patients/families have faith & peace with knowing I can truly relate to their situation and I honestly care about them. I plan on finishing my career as a Hospice nurse!

What's best for one may not be best for another. Just because we turn a certain age doesn't mean there are specific list of options for us to choose from. If you're at a crossroad at age 50, examine your options. Ask yourself what makes your heart sing? Then go from there. You can't be wrong.

If you've had 30-40 years of experience, you've "paid your dues". I would be looking for something that didn't require....lifting, pulling, turning, being on my feet constantly, and dragging around a computer. I'm living out my end of nursing career in radiology. Administration is another choice...if you're so inclined.

Whatever feels comfortable for you with your experience, I’m 63, I’ve been in management for 22 years and the stress was getting to me but not yet ready to retire but did not want to return to bedside nursing. Case Management was the perfect solution for me! Office position, less stress, uses my knowledge and experience. Just look at ads on LinkedIn, Indeed and other job boards till you find the perfect fit!

I am 64 and I do floor nursing in a sub acute facility. I run around just as well as a new graduate.

Older nurses like myself that have worked in the field need to be open to mentoring the new grads and younger nurses.

The landscape of nursing for anyone in the “seasoned category “ me included, is ever unfolding in our virtual world.

-Virtual Health consultant

-Hybrid virtual home health/hospice case manager

-Nurse coaching, especially in this transition to Value Based Care ,our patients need
your expertise and critical eye on details to move forward in managing their healthcare.

-telephonic healthcare

Content writing

Pain clinics

Medical device educator

Educator for healthcare students

Level 3 NICU

Go into correctional nursing

Discharge planning, mentorship, preceptorship..

What ever she wants!

Supervisor or Administrative Coordinator

Why are people offended? I'm 63

always put down your retired

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