Age Discrimination

[Jamison]

I have been R.N. for 40 years, have always worked, have advanced my practice and knowledge, obtained BSN , and kept current with new practices in many fields. I have worked in all specialties in my career,and 12 years ago, I entered the field of Gerontology. I have worked @ County N.H. for the last 12 years, often as relief supervisor; but whenever I apply for permanent position, they hire someone younger, from outside facility. They seldom promote from within and if they do, it is always someone younger. (many of which I have oriented to policies and to the computer, etc.) Why in this crisis of a nursing shortage, don't they honor the experienced nurse, instead of using her for there purposes? Everytime I am overlooked for promotion. I feel that my reputation has been impuned upon and that I lose credibility with many of the younger nurses who felt I was a role model. I don't want to retire I enjoy my profession, but I feel I have no other choice, and will leave the profession, as many of my colleages already have. Has anyone else, my age (62), felt that they were discriminated against for age and experience???

[live4today, RN]

No, but you might want to pursue legal advice for possible age discrimination taking place at your place of employment, especially if they cannot provide you with sound reasoning for not promoting you in place of bringing in "younger faces" for the same job you can do even better with all your years of experience. :)

[Jamison]

Cheerfuldoer Thanks for your reply to my post. I have sought legal advice and they have found in my favor. However the're are no punitive damages in age discrimination. I was just curious why certain administrations would choose to discriminate against older employees, especially since critical nursing shortage in the country. Wondered if any other nurses have faced age discrimination??

[VictoriaG]

I so love working with nurses with many years of experience. I have only been an RN for 11 years and I feel like a baby, although I know there are many people who think of me as "an old nurse" (positive term) because of my age, which is 40's. You have done everything you can to demonstrate nursing excellence, which is something rare and wonderful. Be proud.

[Jamison]

Originally posted by VictoriaG

I so love working with nurses with many years of experience. I have only been an RN for 11 years and I feel like a baby, although I know there are many people who think of me as "an old nurse" (positive term) because of my age, which is 40's. You have done everything you can to demonstrate nursing excellence, which is something rare and wonderful. Be proud.

[Jamison]

Thanks VictoriaG You are sweet and make me feel somewhat better, I had hoped I could encourage other older nurses to return to the profession, but not if they are to be used and abused. Thanks for your thoughtful reply !!

[Chuckie]

I admire the nurses that have been flexible in their careers, however I work with a few that have never changed areas, taken classes, or moved on. Two of them have never learned computer, or refuse to learn new equipment, IV pumps, glucometers, etc. They ask someone else to order on the computer or do the work. We have major changes going on in our work environment and they are in a panic mode. They have to change now. It has totally change the attitude and even their personalities.

[Jamison]

Catfoster, you sound young, how old are you? I am an old dog who has gone along with the progress in nursing. I have been a leader of younger nurses who have resisted these changes. I helped to teach the younger nurses the computer, IV's, MDS's, Focus notes, etc., etc.,etc., I have always gone to lectures, seminars, and earned CEU's and so have many of my older nurse colleages. I never "ate the young", I always helped and encouraged them, and now I would like to be respected as I have respected the new nurses and tried to encourage them.