57 and need to start over YET AGAIN!

Nurses Career Support

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I need some help. I just joined the site. I am working as a radiology nurse in small imaging facility. Its been a great job. Unfortunately we are shutting our doors 12/2013. I am worried sick. I live in a small area. I'd rather not go back into hospital. I just feel nursing is over as I knew it in a hospital setting. I can't even get a call for a nursing home. I truly think my age is working against me.

What can I do? The thought of starting over again makes me physically ill!

I appreciate any help and all advice! Thank you everyone.

I've been trying to check into insurance nursing but dead ends everywhere.

I read your posting with interest. This year I turn 71 years of age. In December 2012 I graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing and now I am into post-graduate studies in Mental Health Nursing. You are a lot younger than I am, so try and be strong both physically and mentally. Don't let the lack of work get you down that is just one small hurdle. You could try re-invigorating yourself and do some extra study. If you don't want to work in the wards perhaps train to work in phlebotomy or if you would like harder physical work try CSSD. All worthwhile jobs.

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Specializes in Home Health.

Kudos to you. I really admire you.

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Sometimes I dont know if its the age so much. I know nurses who are in theri 20s 30s and are having hard times getting jobs. Its the recession. I have been a flight attendant for 20 years and a nurse for 3 and I am 43. Across the board with nurses and flight attendants I see a lot of women who just dont take care of themselves anymore. Overweight, frumpy, bad hair, yellow teeth....you name it. I am amazed at the number of overweight, sloppy nurses I see. I make jokes sometimes that you cant tell the nurse from the patients.

What I suggest is that when you interview dress hip and fashionable. Have a beautiful dress on with heels and a current hairstyle. Think Jackie O. I started nursing at 40 but I think my appeal was that I was dressed current. My first nurse job the man that hired me told me later than he saw me in the room of applicants and knew he was going to hire me right off because I was dressed to the nines.

There is no woman on this earth more attractive than a woman over 40 who is fit, in shape, smart, educated, grounded, well rounded, witty, gracious, kind, and beautiful. This is the type of woman all men want. Yes 20 is good to look at 40+ is good to marry.

If you think its hard being 50+, try being black which I am. I have always had to be more educated, more outgoing and wellspoken than others to get a job, even when I was in my 20s. We all have our burdens to bear.

And another thing I cant understand is the people that are doing the hiring are in their 40s-60s so why are they discriminating against people their own age???????

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

There's a variation on this, too: I'm 55, but I'm a NEW nurse, and have had some interviews I thought went very well, but nada so far, and it's getting to be demoralizing, but I'm trying to pump myself back up. Good luck to all who are having trouble finding a job.

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Specializes in ER, CCU, DOU, L&D, PACU.

Wow!

Looks like there are many of us with the same issues. Wait until you hit 60! I have a world of acute care, cardiac, trauma and general nursing experience and am in good health. Can I find a job? No way! Ageism is alive and well even with laws to protect us. Good luck in your efforts and keep in touch.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Airline nurse - I agree to a point. I think looking nice and modern and not frumpy or super overweight and such is important in how you are important. Don't wear polyester smocks and all. LOL! I am definitely no fashion plate, but I do try to keep my look modern and my weight less than obese and I exercise every day so that hopefully I will be more employable if I lost my job. I also see a lot of women my age (50) who have kind of gotten into the old gal frump too far.

No botox or any of that for me though and like i said I will never be one of those elegant perfectly coifed women.

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WindyCDE,

This so inspiring!! I'm 48 and been a licensed RN for 1 year today, actually! It's my anniversary. I can see that the market is going to stay tough, and get tougher given my age. I am still doing PRN type work. I'm okay with part time work for now while I build my skills and explore the field. Your whole approach to making the CDE work was great! I've already looked at the mentoring information and will definitely keep this in mind for future plans (I need to be an RN for 2 years). Thanks for posting!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

No...I didn't. I was subsequently diagnosed with an auto immune disorder of the muscles....now I'm treated as if I have the plague. My friend has only been able to find part time home health....we were both ICU and ED nurses with management/supervisor experience. Now we can't even answer a phone for triage. Sad really.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
No...I didn't. I was subsequently diagnosed with an auto immune disorder of the muscles....now I'm treated as if I have the plague. My friend has only been able to find part time home health....we were both ICU and ED nurses with management/supervisor experience. Now we can't even answer a phone for triage. Sad really.

What a waste of all your knowledge. They ought to put you to work orienting new nurses or something. What about telephonic triage from home?

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
What a waste of all your knowledge. They ought to put you to work orienting new nurses or something. What about telephonic triage from home?
Really... nurse educator, diabetes educator, 1-800-ASK-ESME...
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Specializes in ICU.

well the good thing is you have 10 months to figure it out. So start agressively searching now, just in case!

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Same thing happened to me 50 something gets set up and railroaded out of a 15 year job by an arrogant 30 something administrator trying to move up corporate ladder . After 12 interviews was blessed to be hired by a wonderful organization insurance non profit I pinch myself every day Hang in there pray meditate keep busy and apply apply apply to everything!!!

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