Has anybody experienced age discrimination as a result of applying for a nursing position? I am in my first semester of nursing school and when finished will be the ripe old age of 46.
I had not have given the idea of age discrimination much thought until I read an article about a nurse in her mid-fifties who was discriminated against. She was in excellent physical condition, and had 20 years of nursing experience on her resume, but was unable to find a job anywhere. She thought that maybe the hospitals she applyed to could find a much less experenced nurse and pay them a lot less.
When I've interviewed nurses for positions before, I didn't take into consideration their age. What I DID take under consideration was their appearance - if they appeared extremely fragile or "sickly" (for lack of a better term) I would really look at their employment history closer for any gaps. The obvious concern was attendance issues. But, you can be of any age to bring that concern with a prospective employer.
This is an interesting--and optimistic--discussion. But I've seen people on another bb have just the opposite experience. Of course, there is really no way to tell what other factors might be involved with those other people.
I recently started making calls trying to get another travel assignment. In none of those calls did anyone ask me how old I was. It has never come up..ever!
LasVegasRN
835 Posts
When I've interviewed nurses for positions before, I didn't take into consideration their age. What I DID take under consideration was their appearance - if they appeared extremely fragile or "sickly" (for lack of a better term) I would really look at their employment history closer for any gaps. The obvious concern was attendance issues. But, you can be of any age to bring that concern with a prospective employer.