What to do when co-workers can't keep up any more?

don't get me wrong, i am not 25 anymore. but 2 of my nursing co-workers are of retirement age and both have significant medical problems, are exceedingly slow and vague, and make huge mistakes. i am fearful one or both of them will kill somebody before they decide to retire. one could be out on disability right now but "can't imagine not coming here every day." (i hate to tell her, but it's not about her.) both have poor eyesight. one takes percocet for pain. i can't believe the powers that be at my hospital can't see how poorly they perform. i fear for them and mostly for their patients. is there anything i can do?
Document what you directly observe, and talk to management.

When it concerns patient safety, I would say it is reportable to mgmt. Geez! I hope if I get to that point, I recognize it and mosey on out to the pasture myself to graze away the rest of my days.

I agree. You have an obligation to report the incidents to the management. However, I would try to do it in a kind way rather than to just start "writing up" everything as official documentation.I think what I would do is: Arrange a private (and discrete) meeting with your manager to discuss the situation. Emphasize the positive qualities of the people you are discussing ... but say that you have concerns about their abilities to practice safely. Have a few specific incidents to cite as concrete examples of what you have seen (with names, dates, times, etc.). Ask your manager for advice on how you should handle the situation. See what he/she says.

Quote from General E. Speaking, RNWhen it concerns patient safety, I would say it is reportable to mgmt. Geez! I hope if I get to that point, I recognize it and mosey on out to the pasture myself to graze away the rest of my days.

You have two options I believe:1. If you do see mistakes or errors, document it and let your manager know. Let him/her handle it.2. If you are just jealous, envious, annoyed, impatient, have a personal grudge against them, or this is just all about ageism, just stop and mind your own business. (I am not saying you are, I am saying IF you are) Karma works. One day you'll reach that age too and hopefully by then, you are not sick nor slow and of course, have saved enough moolah, don't have any loans to pay off, and can retire graciously.

Be careful OP, If you came to me and told me just this stuff, and I saw no care issues in my investigation, I would have formed a negative impression of you that would have a long half-life.

If they can't perform their jobs that is a significant concern. You will need to get specific if you go to management. Exactly what happened and when, and it must be documentable. Good luck.

Quote from pawsomepooch47don't get me wrong, i am not 25 anymore. but 2 of my nursing co-workers are of retirement age and both have significant medical problems, are exceedingly slow and vague, and make huge mistakes. i am fearful one or both of them will kill somebody before they decide to retire. one could be out on disability right now but "can't imagine not coming here every day." (i hate to tell her, but it's not about her.) both have poor eyesight. one takes percocet for pain. i can't believe the powers that be at my hospital can't see how poorly they perform. i fear for them and mostly for their patients. is there anything i can do?

I can see where this one's heading. Let's send the old folks out to pasture.

I'm not sure my opinion on the situation exactly, but one thing I can comment on is the decision that these nurses made to keep working - when those jobs could go to new grads so that the unfortunate overload of new grads going without work doesnt continue.

Quote from pawsomepooch47don't get me wrong, i am not 25 anymore. but 2 of my nursing co-workers are of retirement age and both have significant medical problems, are exceedingly slow and vague, and make huge mistakes. i am fearful one or both of them will kill somebody before they decide to retire. one could be out on disability right now but "can't imagine not coming here every day." (i hate to tell her, but it's not about her.) both have poor eyesight. one takes percocet for pain. i can't believe the powers that be at my hospital can't see how poorly they perform. i fear for them and mostly for their patients. is there anything i can do?

Quote from birdie22I'm not sure my opinion on the situation exactly, but one thing I can comment on is the decision that these nurses made to keep working - when those jobs could go to new grads so that the unfortunate overload of new grads going without work doesnt continue.