What is the best role for nurses over 50?

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 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.

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 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.

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 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

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

Case Management, Discharge Planning, Utilization Review.

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

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

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!

Anything you have a passion to do 😊

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!).

Clinical Instructor

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 .

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.

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! ❤️

Any thing your interested in doing.

Home

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!

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

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

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.

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! :)

Clinical instructor

Any role

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.

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.

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

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

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'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.

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.

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

Dialysis

Psych

Retirement. Lol just kidding😀

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.

PAT

.

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

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

Supervisor or Administrative Coordinator

Why are people offended? I'm 63

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

always put down your retired

Ii