Older workers that are new grad nurses, please explain.

[wish_me_luck]

Hi,

I am not going to be popular with this thread, but here goes...I have seen quite a few posts about the older workers that are new grads thinking they deserve a job more because they had a previous career. Many times, these former careers are NOT healthcare related, so it does not help with their nursing career at all. My question to the older workers who are new grads is why do you feel like you deserve jobs over the younger new grads?

I feel like if anything, the older workers seem more entitled than younger workers. When you get a second career, you are starting at ground zero. So, let the opinions fly.

[kcochrane]

From the first example you posted, I might assume the person felt they weren't getting a job because of their age. It is common for those of my age (50's) to be dismissed as candidates as not being to keep up the pace of a busy workplace. At age 50 I am a freebird too. My kids are grown and I am flexible. I work most weekends and holidays, something the twenty somethings don't want to do. It should aways come down to who is best fit for the job. No one is entitled to anything and nothing should be assumed about someone due to age. When I became a nurse at age 47, I had been in the military, raised a family and worked many different jobs. That does count for something when it comes to hiring. Committment and hard work. Doesn't mean the younger generation isn't, but mine is proven. Again, best fit for the job is what it should be.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Okay, so here's a scenario. Sue, age 48, worked as a financial advisor for 26 years and made $70, 000 a year. She decided she wanted a career that helped people and went back to nursing school and graduated. Jill, age 23, just graduated nursing school, as well. Her work history includes 5 years babysitting and volunteering. Then, she was able to land a CNA job at her local hospital, where she worked 2 years before graduating and becoming a nurse. Both are applying for the same job--a new grad position on a Med Surg floor (the pay is roughly $38,000 a year). Who do you give the job to and why?

No, it is not a school assignment (I am a nurse already and not in school.) I just made it up for discussion purposes.

For me-- Sue: Pros are that she has extensive work history; Cons are that she did not work healthcare and that she made a salary that was much more than what a new grad makes (assuming you are not in a city). Plus, she may retire in roughly 15 years.

Jill: Pros are that she had healthcare experience and she may feel like she is getting a huge pay raise from what she makes now (she would be okay with $38,000). Cons: she only has a max 7 years working, but only 2 years "real job" experience.

I would give the job to Jill, personally, because she has relevant work experience, I could possibly get 40 years out of her, and her salary expectations may be what I have to offer.

Now, what's your opinion?

Well, in reading your scenario, I find that there are other considerations to be made. Statistically, I (as the employer in your scene) will get nowhere near 40 years out of Jill. I probably won't see Sue through to retirement, either, but longevity isn't much of a factor in today's mobile society. Just read around the boards to see all the "I've been here a year and I'm looking to leave" posts.

Next, consider the amount of time I can expect Sue to be at work versus Jill. What do I mean? Well, at 23, I'm going to make the (reasonable) assumption that Jill is going to become pregnant sometime in the relatively near future (heck, in reading some of these "should I tell them at the interview I'm pregnant" queries makes me think she might ALREADY be pregnant). She's going to take anywhere from 6 weeks to several months (even a year) off afterward, and I'll have to hold a job for her. Then she's free to repeat that process next year, or the year after, until her family is complete. Now let's look back to Sue: at 48, it's extremely unlikely (danged near miraculous!) if she were to require even one maternity leave. No, I'd expect the only time off she'd be taking would be expected vacations, holidays, etc. So when it comes to bang for the buck, I'm betting Sue is the better value.

This assumes ALOT, of course, regarding this scenario. Nothing that would indicate a preference for one over the other upon review of resumes, interviewing skills, etc. That could be swayed as well, based on experience both in writing resumes and in going on interviews. Conjecture, but it might go Sue's way on that score, too.

Just some food for thought.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Hmmmm, I'm missing these "entitlement posts" that are being started by older new grads----could you link a couple? The only post I remember reading in recent weeks was started by a new young grad that felt older nurses should retire or be forced out so that there were Nursing Jobs available for her and her fellow grads...

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Ok. Mods, if it against TOS, please edit.

"If finances are tight, i wouldn't move until you have some sort of commitment. I'd hate to see you pay to move everything back to ME only to find you don't get hired there either...Keep plugging in both areas. I'm in a similar situation, but I can't move the family. I'm 50 with a prior career that apparently doesn't count for anything (maturity anyone?) and can't a response either." Thread: New Grad Needs Advice. Stay in FL or move home to ME to work.

"I'm a brand new nurse starting my second career at age 49. I've already encountered some jealousy and plain spitefulness from younger more experienced nurses and I'm just orienting. My friend told me that I had to realize that not everyone was happy I made it through school and passed the NCLEX. I just want to do a good job and be the best I can be. What's the best advice you would give a new nurse like me?" thread: Advice

There's two, more of them insinuate the superiority of the 40+ club (that is not an insult, if you are over 40, this is what I am referring to). I can pull those, if you would like.

Your second example doesn't offer ANY sort of proof that this older new nurse is expecting something over a younger nurse based on her life experiences. Sorry, but you're really starting to come across as a whiner....

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

meh, RNsRWe...some people actually do not want children in the near future and some even would rather remain childfree. I am in my mid twenties, slightly older than Jill in my example. Not in a relationship nor have children. Both by choice. Do I want children? Perhaps in a couple of years (or perhaps not)...quite frankly, I watch children and the longer around them, the more I swing in the direction of never having children. I don't hate kids, I just have had my fill. So, it may or may not be reasonable to assume that a 20 something would become pregnant.

I personally have worked weekends and every holiday before. Actually, it was the people who had the husband and children who wanted holidays off.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

Colleen, my apologies for my whining. You can ignore my posts

[ricksy]

Maybe you should just worry about yourself and your patients and quit worrying about others. This was the most ridiculous thread I have seen in a while. Get a life, quit worrying about others, and for God's sake, get to nursing.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I think an older grad brings more to the table in life experience alone. That's just the way it is, and I don't have a problem with it. I wont be a young grad but I wont be a old one either and I'll just go to every interview and try to blow them away. What else can you do?

Whoever the best person for the job is should be the one to get hired. IMO 20 years life experience and good work history perhaps other degree's trumps a couple of years working in healthcare.

I'm sure there are young grads out there who's awesome GPA's and glowing personalities and passion for the profession will be the winner also. I really just think it depends on who brings what to the table as well as their personalities and passion for this type of work.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

ricksy, I am unemployed. I do not have a nursing job. Therefore, I do not have patients. Again, I will tell you the same I told Colleen, ignore my posts.

[ricksy]

Maybe there is a reason you are unemployed. Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

I am unemployed because I applied for like 20 jobs and will not take a position I do not want as I want longevity. I am waiting on two jobs that are up in the air.

[dotoriffic]

wish_me_luck, have you been called for interviews and turned down job offers? Or just not getting called in to meet with anyone? I ask because in my city we have two very competitive hospitals among numerous nursing homes, etc...they do communicate with each other with regards to applicants. I know this because the HR lady at one of them goes to my church. If you have been turning down offers they may have shared that info and black-balled you. I am not trying to upset you but it does happen. May not be the case for you but it happens here all the time. Good luck to you though! I really hope you get the job you want and soon! :)