Age issues-School or in hiring?

HappyNurse2005, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I went to nursing school (ADN program) with a man who was 60 when we graduated. He got a job with no problem. Granted, this wasn't grad school, but its the best example I have!

Good luck!

Barinbass · Mar 28, 2010

Thanks so much. One in the class ahead of me is two years older who doesn't look her age at all. She said she's not having a problem, but I don't think she's been hired yet since she graduates in May. Also she is in the Psych Mental Health which seems to be much in need. I am very young and progressive in my thinking and hope the recent Health Insurance Reform bill will make NPs more in demand. I still would like to hear thoughts about being closer to 60 when done and getting hired as well as about those schools that may incorporate nontraditional students well into their programs. Thanks for responding. Barinbass

mom2cka · Mar 28, 2010

Many of the students in my class at St Scholastica (http://www.css.edu) are older, if the pictures aren't lying :) An NP I shadowed was close to 60, and had graduated a few years prior. Good luck!

Barinbass · Mar 28, 2010

Thanks so much! I will check out your school. Is it online? Keep it coming. Barinbass

caliotter3 · Mar 28, 2010

I have encountered ageism, but then I encountered ageism in seeking non-nursing jobs also. It is just something that must be overcome if you want to work.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I'm not 50 yet, but I am (well) over 40 and in my third semester of NP school. My program is hybrid, some on-line, some on campus, so I have met most of my classmates. I'd say the average student is in his/her 30s. There are several 25 y/o's and several 50 y/o's. IME there is some reverse ageism at play. Older students are generally the better students and seem to be treated more collegially by faculty and preceptors. The stories I hear seem to indicate the very young (20 something) students are having a harder time in clinicals as well. There are two girls who must be about 24ish, but they are tiny, very attractive, and look about 15. They are both having a miserable time. I think it is hard for staff and patients to take them seriously and that that is harming their confidence, which in turn makes them seem even more unsure, and the cycle perpetuates itself. I have no doubt that they will catch up and be strong NPs, but as Ronald Regan once suggested, their youth and inexperience is being held against them, lol.

As for getting a job, I don't know anything about that end of it. I'm about 4 years away from even thinking about that, and truth be told, the more clinical I do the less I want to work in a family practice or clinic environment anyway. I'm just hoping interesting opportunities will be available when the time comes. I have a lot to offer, so getting a job is not a concern. Getting a job I actually want is the issue, lol.

Barinbass · Mar 28, 2010

Thanks for responding. What is your school? Like you said, no more Family Practice settings for me either. One preceptor told me on my third day there that he expected me to see one patient every 15 minutes and that was reality. I think my school markets us to the preceptors because preceptor space is limited and my years of experience becomes their expectation of being able for them to see more patients which means more revenue. Reminds me of when I worked agency. Another receptionist told me I could go ahead and start seeing patients now. Huh? Second semester at that point. I am an ANP student but have only been to Family Practice primary care settings where I have to explain that I am not allowed to see children etc. I will select a specialty when done and go into that I think with some gero primary care too. Want to try and finish this online. Barinbass

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 28, 2010

Duke. My preceptors have been very supportive of my educational needs and goals. They know I'm there to learn from them, and as such they anticipated from the beginning that I'd be more of a hindrance than a help. They take on the burden of students b/c they want to teach, to give something back, not b/c they want a free assistant. I'm very very glad that Duke finds clinical experiences for us and that they don't use people that have motivations other than mentoring a student learner.

I have been in a small private FP clinic with four docs. One declines to work w/ a student, but has been quite friendly to me; he just doesn't want to be a teacher. Of the other three, one is IMO, only a marginally competent physician so I avoid him, even though he is the most enthusiastic teacher. The other two are very busy and don't always have the time to explain their decision algorithms in great detail, but they have realistic expectations of me, they challenge me w/o degrading me for what I do not know, encourage me to think critically and attempt new skills all the time. They have a 4th year medical student too, and they treat us the same. The Sr. doc said, "Well, you are both going to be doing the same job, so you both need to learn the same things...no slacking from you Cindy just because you didn't have a gross anatomy or biochem class! Step up and soak it in...."

They also do not put up with a whole lot of nonsense from their patients, which is refreshing. They do not allow the patients to dictate the treatment plan and kick drug seekers and doctor shoppers right out the door. They tell them straight out, "We don't want to treat you at this practice. Have a nice day." Of course, they have a huge practice bursting at the seams and they will see walk-ins too, so they have the luxury to kick people to the curb if they don't like them.

One patient did not want me to be present for his exam, which is his right and I respect that. However the Sr.doc told him point blank "patients must suffer for learning. We often have NP students and medical students, if you want to see us, you see them too. You are always free to switch to another practice." He said that with great respect and sensitivity to the patient, even if it doesn't quite sound that way in the retelling. I just really appreciated that he advocated for us as the learners in that way.

They are open from 6am to 9pm and each of them sees at least 50-60 patients a day. They allow me to be very flexible. I get there when I get there, and leave when I want, and they sign off on the actual hours I put in. If I work from 6a-9p right along with them, great. They even buy me lunch. If I need to leave to go do something for one of my kids, etc, they are fine with that. They know that meeting my clinical hour obligation is my responsibility, not theirs!. They each make an effort come to get me and the med student if they know someone is a particularly interesting case, and they have never dumped any scut work on me.

I will be switching to a different practice in the summer, only working with one doc in a two doc practice, and his schedule is insane. I don't know yet what he expects from me, but NP students who have worked with him before say he is an outstanding physician and teacher who has great respect for NPs and enjoys being a part of strong NP education. I anticipate that I'll have less flexibility, but I'm looking forward to it.

Barinbass · Mar 28, 2010

Thanks. I too have found the docs to be very supportive preceptors and really like to teach. The NP preceptors I have had are the ones wth the expectations mentioned above. I will look into Duke's online program. Thanks

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 28, 2010

weird double post

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I was hoping the tradition of nurses treating each other like crap ended at the post graduate level.... At first I was disappointed that all of my preceptors are docs, but I guess I shouldn't be.