Introduction The problem of aging at work has been discussed at national and international levels, given its impact on productivity and the management of public policies on worker health.

Objective To investigate the association between chronological aging, work ability and productivity in nursing workers.

Method Analytic and cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, developed at a Public Hospital in the state of São Paulo, with nursing team workers aged 45 and over. Data were collected through a form containing sociodemographic and professional questions, a questionnaire on Work Ability Index and a questionnaire on work productivity.

Results 211 (79.9%) nursing workers participated in the study. The mean age was 53 years (SD = 4.3 years), ranging from 45 to 71 years. The average of the Work Ability Index score was considered good, with 37.8 points, but 41.7% with a Capacity Index for inadequate work. The predominant health problems were musculoskeletal diseases. Productivity showed an average score of 24.7% for ‘damage to daily activities due to health’, 22.7% for ‘total work injury due to health’ and 21.2% for ‘presentism’. There was a statistically significant association between productivity and work ability (p < 0.001), where productivity impairment was among those with inadequate capacity (moderate and low).

Conclusion It is important to identify the profile of nursing workers in the aging phase so that the institutions could promote strategies and interventions aimed at this age group in order to prevent early retirement and promote a better longevity.