Ageism in nursing.
OBJECTIVE
Ageism in health care delivery and nursing poses a fundamental threat to health and society. In this commentary, implications of age discrimination are presented to generate an agenda for action in nursing management.


BACKGROUND
In nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, nursing is an ageing profession caring for an ageing society where age discrimination takes many forms and has broad impact.


RESULTS
This commentary critically synthesizes the literature on ageism and relevant data on ageing societies for nurse managers and other leaders.


RESULTS
Investigations of ageism suggest that discrimination negatively affects health and results in poor health care experiences. Age discrimination is present in nursing, exacerbating workforce shortages and limiting the use of expertise within the profession.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing faces a future for which understanding ageing societies and ageism is essential. An agenda for the future is proposed.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurse managers possess the power to enact an agenda for combating ageism in health care and nursing.
School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Sarah H
SH
Kagan
Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
G J
GJ
Melendez-Torres
D063506:Ageism; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution*
ageism; gerontology; health care disparities; nurse administrators; nursing staff; social justice