O.k. I don't want to offend ANYONE out there, I just want to know what are the opinions of different people and maybe not feel so bad for thinking this way. I'm currently attending an ADN program and I'm so happy that I was accepted to nursing school. HOWEVER, I have to say, It really gets me thinking when I see the OLDER crowd, and what I mean with that is people who are OVER 50, who get into nursing school. Now, I have NOTHING against ACCOMPLISHING a life-long dream! I'm all for that, but... REALLY if you're over 50 years old, it takes 2 years to become an RN. How much longer can you work and before you retire?
And so my question is, do you think that person's spot would have been better off to a younger person who could aleast work MORE than 15 years in nursing before it's like, "oh, I can't no longer catch up with all the action?" I mean, we are in a nursing shortage, and we have enough nurses retiring as it is...to now have new nurses that won't really last that long in the field.
"i have had some difficulty getting work except in the most hideous unsafe situations where no one with her head on straight would give them a second look. i believe hiring managers look at me and think like you: i should have 35 years of experience or 35 years of working potential. and i don't. so the jobs go to the young ones who haven't had the sort of life experience that patients who need the tlc kind of care like to have. the hospital associated with my school is actually recruiting filippino nurses--and the philippines needs their nurses!
right now i am with an agency that advocates for me, but i continue to interview. i am passed over for younger nurses every time."
yes, ageism by employers is often disguised by the phrase: "we're looking for someone more suited to our needs"!!! even though you may be well-qualified & have years of valuable experience, they would rather hire a younger (cheaper) inexperienced nurse.
I believe the only way nursing will change is by infusing older/other career nurses who have had "other" experience and education and will not put up with the garbage that occurs in hospitals.
Just wanted to highlight this-- I completed an accelerated program for people who already completed another degree in a non-nursing field, and one of the best parts was sharing the "other" experiences. My classmates included former pharmacists, dieticians, PTs, personal trainers, and one PhD in Mathematics! Most of us were still under 40, but all the previous career experience made nursing school so interesting, and sometimes a bit awkward. You never knew if someone was an expert in pharmacology or something! Kept everyone on their toes.
I will be 41 when I graduate from an ADN program. Do you think it will be more difficult for me to find a job as opposed to a 25 to 30 year old right out of school? Does anyone else have experience on this? With an ADN can you really just do bedside nursing and would it be a good idea at my age to pursue advanced degrees to get away from the physical strain of bedside when I get a bit older?
Thanks
You know, I think it just depends on the individual. I have known several Med-Surg nurses who worked that area until retirement in their 60's and even 70's. As for getting a job in your 40's- I have not seen that to be a detriment- the unit I work just hired 3 new grads all in their late 40's-early 50's. They are mature & capable & don't scare easily-- & are doing a great job. As for having an Associates Degree- I have never known that be a hindrance as a staff nurse- you can work any number of specialties - in fact our house supervisor on day shift has an ADN- so go for it!
The world is comprised of brilliant persons; regardless of sex, sexual orientation, color, economic standing, and of course age. This is what makes the world go 'round. How fortunate I am to have parents that have not only encouraged education (and continuing education), but also demonstrate this in their own lives. My mother, in her early sixities, is the V.P. of Operations for a large well-known corporation. She completed her masters at age 57. My father, who just turned 69, owns a highly successful import/export business. As I write this, he is in Hong Kong on a business trip. They maintain healthy, active lives and minds. Something all of us should strive for.
When I decided to pursue nursing (after a great, successful first career) it was my mother who said go for it! I probably wouldn't be here, on allnurses at age 43, if she had demonstrated apathy towards furthuring education in general. What an awesome lady who has always given me a wonderful example to follow. To think how different my life could have been if I had parents who set limitations on themsleves with self-imposed age discrimination. Remember-teach your children well! They follow your lead.
I just want to say ty to everyone here. I am a 41yr old single mother. who just finished my LPN and have yet to start my RN but I will get it. (Lord willing)
Yes i am kinda of a late bloomer. I raised my son alone. I worked in Hopitals as a HouseKeeper for many yrs. before becoming an STNA. My son was 18 by the time i was able to start school. What better profession for someone who has already been taking care of other people for so many years.
Ps. who is to say that that younger nurse will live to be of retirement age....I mean really your a nurse... You know anything can happen.
Younger doesn't always mean you are Mentally, Physically, or Emotionally more capable of living longer or nursing better.
Nurses who enter the profession older, are making an informed career choice, bringing a lot of life experience to the profession, as well as a better handle on critical thinking skills. Nurses who have had prior work experience also understand the concept of customer satisfaction in today's business of healthcare.
More than one nursing school administrator has told me that traditionally older students are more successful in nursing programs than the younger students.
One recruiter told me that there is less absenteeism with mature nurses and that the younger nurses tend to struggle more with the job expectation.
In case you aren't aware, you will be expected to work until age 70 before you can collect social security. Hopefully, you will be judged on your ability to do the job well throughout your career and not how others will view you according to your age.
That post is really sad. After I had my 4th child (I had been a stay at home mom for 15 years!) I was 36 and didn't know what to do with my life. I felt it was "too late" for me to be a nurse. But I trolled this website for weeks looking at other people's comments. Based on what I read, I gained the confidence to try. 18 months later I'm a 4.0 student with a choice between 2 scholarships. I hope hope hope that no one read that post that was in my same position.
O.k. I don't want to offend ANYONE out there, I just want to know what are the opinions of different people and maybe not feel so bad for thinking this way. I'm currently attending an ADN program and I'm so happy that I was accepted to nursing school. HOWEVER, I have to say, It really gets me thinking when I see the OLDER crowd, and what I mean with that is people who are OVER 50, who get into nursing school. Now, I have NOTHING against ACCOMPLISHING a life-long dream! I'm all for that, but... REALLY if you're over 50 years old, it takes 2 years to become an RN. How much longer can you work and before you retire?
And so my question is, do you think that person's spot would have been better off to a younger person who could aleast work MORE than 15 years in nursing before it's like, "oh, I can't no longer catch up with all the action?" I mean, we are in a nursing shortage, and we have enough nurses retiring as it is...to now have new nurses that won't really last that long in the field.
You can start biting my head off now!
No, I don't think that spot would be better going to a younger person. It's going to take a younger person many years to garner the life experience that I bring to my clinical site every day. That experience provides problem-solving skills, judgment, and maturity that many younger folks have yet to develop simply for lack of seasoning.
I'd hire a 45-year-old new grad with experience in other fields over a 24-year-old whose life experience consists of high school, college, and working retail every time.
The older person has proven themselves. The younger folks are still an unknown quantity. Those of us in our 40s know what kinds of changes can happen through your 20s. Generally speaking, 40-something is much more stable and much more reliable than a 20-something. (Note, I said "generally speaking" so please spare me the "I'm offended because I'm 25 and I've done this and this and this..." - if you're all that then you're an exception to my generalization)
nickola
250 Posts
"i have had some difficulty getting work except in the most hideous unsafe situations where no one with her head on straight would give them a second look. i believe hiring managers look at me and think like you: i should have 35 years of experience or 35 years of working potential. and i don't. so the jobs go to the young ones who haven't had the sort of life experience that patients who need the tlc kind of care like to have. the hospital associated with my school is actually recruiting filippino nurses--and the philippines needs their nurses!
right now i am with an agency that advocates for me, but i continue to interview. i am passed over for younger nurses every time."
yes, ageism by employers is often disguised by the phrase: "we're looking for someone more suited to our needs"!!! even though you may be well-qualified & have years of valuable experience, they would rather hire a younger (cheaper) inexperienced nurse.