Age Discrimination?

MissH1967, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2013

I worry about the age thing, too. I'm 46.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2013

Maybe some places are refusing you because you've worked in LTC. I know I applied to a ton of residencies and some took people with less than a year of RN experience, but some only took people with less than six months of RN experience. I think residencies like that may prefer brand new people with no learned habits to stamp out, but I could be wrong. A lot of the residencies I applied for were also BSN preferred so that's another factor that could be impacting your getting hired.

Also... how are they figuring out how old you are before interviewing you? If you're listing your high school graduation date on your resume and every job you've ever had they'll know, but if you're just putting your most recent healthcare related jobs and your ADN odds are they have no idea how old you are. If you think it really may be age related and they're rejecting you from interviews because of it try removing dates from your resume and see if your luck improves.

HopefulRN123 · Jun 29, 2013

Well at least here in Wa, they can easily find out your age by looking at the BON website, where they check your credential. There it lists your year of birth.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 29, 2013

It probably isn't job discrimination. You have close to a year experience. Most residencies rather take candidates with no other experience, like another poster stated. Try for Clinical Nurse I positions instead, or places that consider new grads not experienced until the 2-year mark. HTH!!!

stethnurse · Jun 30, 2013

I'm 44 years old and I'm the only one in my graduating class that doesn't have a job yet. I have applied to over a 200 jobs in the past 6 months. I graduated with a 4.0 average with an ADN degree. I know a student that barely passed, was always late to clinicals, and was on Facebook most of the time during lectures that has gotten 3 jobs since graduating. In my previous profession as an accountant, I always got a job offer after an interview. I had 5 interviews so far and I have gotten any job offers. During my last interview, the nurse manager seemed to like me but the peer interview was a disaster. A young girl came walking in and took one look at me and rolled her eyes. She then proceeded to read interview questions off of a piece of paper. She never looked up once after reading each question. After I answered each question she would slightly shake her head and roll her eyes. Finally at the end she finally looked up and said we will call you in a week or send you a letter. Three weeks later I get the "we decided to pursue another candidate..." So I know how you feel.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 30, 2013

I'm 44 years old and I'm the only one in my graduating class that doesn't have a job yet. I have applied to over a 200 jobs in the past 6 months. I graduated with a 4.0 average with an ADN degree. I know a student that barely passed was always late to clinicals, and was on Facebook most of the time during lectures that has gotten 3 jobs since graduating. In my previous profession as an accountant, I always got a job offer after an interview. I had 5 interviews so far and I have gotten any job offers. During my last interview, the nurse manager seemed to like me but the peer interview was a disaster. A young girl came walking in and took one look at me and rolled her eyes. She then proceeded to read interview questions off of a piece of paper. She never looked up once after reading each question. After I answered each question she would slightly shake her head and roll her eyes. Finally at the end she finally looked up and said we will call you in a week or send you a letter. Three weeks later I get the "we decided to pursue another candidate..." So I know how you feel.[/quote']
What YOU describe is an example of age discrimination...OP had 8 months EXPERIENCE...she may be disqualified from certain residency programs because she has verifiable nursing experience.

HopefulRN123 · Jul 1, 2013

@Ladyfree FYI: Some of the residencies I have applied to (Including the last one) did say they were accepting applicants who are a.) new grads or b.) nurses with experience (not in acute care) looking to cross over to acute care.

I've applied to numerous residencies, immediately after graduation and continuing up until this most recent one. And as I indicated before, I have applied to a number of the same residencies that my younger counterparts have applied to, many of them with virtually no background in healthcare to very little...and have gotten hired. This would give anyone cause to wonder especially when as I pointed out earlier, I have nearly 20 years of healthcare background, a Bachelor's in psych/soc, have been accepted to a BSN program, have done lots of volunteer work, have certificates, have glowing recommendations, etc. I'm not saying, necessarily, that this (my case) IS a definite example of age discrimination...but, I wanted to see if anyone else out there has anything they would like to point out in regards to this. At my age, it is a definite concern that I have, and I like to be aware of other perspectives and experiences.

HopefulRN123 · Jul 1, 2013

stethnurse, are you applying to just hospital jobs, or are you open to working in a SNF? I have been told that if you have a year of experience working in a SNF (in the rehab department) it makes you a better candidate for getting hired in a hospital. Rehab is considered subacute care and many of the skills utilized there can be transferred to acute care. I have literally talked to nurses working in med surg who have confirmed this and was also told this by an employer at an interview. This is contrary to what I have read on here by people who say "hospitals won't hire people with nursing home experience." that's obviously bunk. the other option I'm considering is working in a rural hospital. I know of at least one in my state who, after just talking to them on the phone seemed anxious to have me come down for an interview! The fact that I live so far away was disheartening, however. I would love nothing more than to simply move down there in a heartbeat but I have family committments that will keep me in my current location for at least another year . So I guess meanwhile I'll keep working at the SNF and continue to keep my eyes and ears open.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 1, 2013

@Ladyfree FYI: Some of the residencies I have applied to (Including the last one) did say they were accepting applicants who are a.) new grads or b.) nurses with experience (not in acute care) looking to cross over to acute care.
I've applied to numerous residencies, immediately after graduation and continuing up until this most recent one. And as I indicated before, I have applied to a number of the same residencies that my younger counterparts have applied to, many of them with virtually no background in healthcare to very little...and have gotten hired. This would give anyone cause to wonder especially when as I pointed out earlier, I have nearly 20 years of healthcare background, a Bachelor's in psych/soc, have been accepted to a BSN program, have done lots of volunteer work, have certificates, have glowing recommendations, etc. I'm not saying, necessarily, that this (my case) IS a definite example of age discrimination...but, I wanted to see if anyone else out there has anything they would like to point out in regards to this. At my age, it is a definite concern that I have, and I like to be aware of other perspectives and experiences.

If anything, the hospitals have the luck of the draw...your past experience may not be even considered; there may have been a pattern of candidates in the past with your same previous experience that did not yield optimal results, etc. Most hospitals been there, done that, wear the t-shirt of experienced individuals like you. It's may not be an "edge" for employers, at least not anymore in some places. They will take a fresh face new grad with no experience. Most residencies I applied for did the same thing to me; I am younger than you, however, I have an extensive background as a LPN. They rather have people with NO experience.

The ADN may have pushed you down to the file as well, you are starting a BSN program...they can choose from the many who already have a BSN.

As far as your shadowing experience, I can not surmised if you were discriminated against with your peer review. One must consider the culture of the unit (which you not aware of because you do not work there) and other unknown factors.

You will have a better advantage where your at now getting experience, then transitioning once you have more experience under your belt. You ARE "young" in your career, regardless. Good Luck!

apoppyfield, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2013

Hopeful, do you mind sharing that hospital?

kath7880 · Mar 22, 2014

Same thing happened to me. I got the interview, she told me how much I would make per hour, did the drug, background and reference checks all went excellent. then she had me fill out some pages that had my actual age on it. A week later she called me and told me they need to hire someone with experience.