I am concerned with age discrimination? - Page 3

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  1. Jun 25, '12 by
    Quote from ruby vee
    there is no such thing as "an rn degree." there is an adn, a bsn, an msn and maybe even a diploma out there. but these are nursing degrees, not "rn" degrees. in order to become an rn, one must pass the licensing exam after completing a degree from an accredited school of nursing.
    ok you know more than i do about nursing. i always thought that the 2-year was called lvn and the 4-year was rn. all i know is that once she is done she will have the 4 year version whatever it is called. thank you for the feed back.
    Last edit by Michael Shimko on Jun 25, '12
  2. Jun 25, '12 by
    Quote from applewhitern
    Yes, age discrimination is alive and well. And no, there is no "nursing shortage" in most areas. There are plenty of younger nurses who can't find jobs, either.
    Agree! I am one of them at 42
    Meriwhen likes this.
  3. Jun 25, '12 by
    "her response: "younger nurses are much easier for us to deal with. the older nurses are argumentative, have attitude problems, can't be told anything, and don't respond to criticism well."

    well, screw that!! ahem.
    imintrouble, lindarn, and beckster_01 like this.
  4. Jun 25, '12 by
    some of you have heard the story of one of my students who was 62. she had been married for forty-plus years to an old sob (not "short of breath," either) who told her how stupid and worthless she was and how nothing she ever wanted to do was the least bit useful. and when he died she took the life insurance money and went to nursing school, bless her.

    she wasn't any better at nursing (or any worse) than any of her 18-year-old chickie classmates, but she had something that they didn't, and that was life experience. she had seen her mother and father die, seen how families coped with adversity, knew what it was like to be a mother and a grandmother; she could sit down at a bedside and calm a frightened person just because she was a white-haired older lady who didn't panic and knew what to say, when to say it, and when to be quiet and just be there.

    i have no idea if your friend will be able to find work. on the practical side she should look for a job with fewer physical aspects, if she can find it. but it is possible that if she can express those qualities bestowed by maturity, someone will see how lucky they are to have her, even if only for a short while.
    imintrouble, mystory, hey_suz, and 4 others like this.
  5. Asst. Admin
    Jun 25, '12 by
    Quote from elprup
    Agree! I am one of them at 42
    In the area where I live, a nurse who is in his/her twenties or early 30s is considered 'younger.' The people who make the hiring decisions would consider a 42-year-old applicant 'older' and in a protected class.
    lindarn likes this.
  6. Jun 25, '12 by
    Quote from grntea
    some of you have heard the story of one of my students who was 62. she had been married for forty-plus years to an old sob (not "short of breath," either) who told her how stupid and worthless she was and how nothing she ever wanted to do was the least bit useful. and when he died she took the life insurance money and went to nursing school, bless her.

    she wasn't any better at nursing (or any worse) than any of her 18-year-old chickie classmates, but she had something that they didn't, and that was life experience. she had seen her mother and father die, seen how families coped with adversity, knew what it was like to be a mother and a grandmother; she could sit down at a bedside and calm a frightened person just because she was a white-haired older lady who didn't panic and knew what to say, when to say it, and when to be quiet and just be there.

    i have no idea if your friend will be able to find work. on the practical side she should look for a job with fewer physical aspects, if she can find it. but it is possible that if she can express those qualities bestowed by maturity, someone will see how lucky they are to have her, even if only for a short while.
    thank you i hope you are right.
    lindarn likes this.
  7. Jun 25, '12 by
    It can be done. I will be graduating soon and I am 60. The day I started school, I began volunteering at a hospital. I was noticed and have been offered a position working in that facility after I graduate. As I read on this very board, you have to go the extra mile to have an edge over the hundreds of others applying for jobs. In my case, I will have a job that was never even advertised for the others to apply for. Network, volunteer, work as a tech and be the one who gets the job.
    mystory, Miss Molly, koi310, and 1 other like this.
  8. Jun 25, '12 by
    Unfortunately, age discrimination is alive is well in the nursing market.

    My previous job was the evening shift, 3p-11:30p, and naturally attracted a younger crew - single, childfree, etc. The interviews for new hires included panel interviews with the current staff on the floor after they passed cuts with HR and the nurse manager.

    We interviewed one woman who was in her 60s, and I thought she would be an incredible asset to our floor. Unfortunately, my peers hesitated, citing that she's older and may botch our fun work dynamic. I was outnumbered as they voted for an young and inexperienced nurse with mediocre interviewing skills.

    I don't say this to discourage you or your partner. It is certainly hired to get hired as a relatively older candidate, even as a new grad. I am just answering your question honestly. My advice to your girlfriend is to make herself as competitive as possible, and there are many threads that discuss how to do so in such a tough market.

    Best of luck!