Ageism

[Kayzee]

Have any of you nurse's ever encountered discrimination regarding your age when applying for a job. I realize you would have no way of actually proving this, but did you ever get the feeling that may be why you weren't hired?

[mattsmom81]

My experience is facilities (especially corporate) look at older nurses as a comp risk and don't like the idea of high payouts on medical insurance policies...they really dwell on medical problems and medications an older nurse takes...and I suspect I did not get several jobs due to these things. Hard to prove this...all they will say is, "We had a better applicant."

Kinda makes ya wonder about the cry of 'nursing shortage' when they can be so picky doesn't it.

[nursecheryl]

Just wanted to add that my mother is 76 and still working. She can't immagine not working. She looks like she is in her late 50's early 60's at the most. Neighbors are very confused. My aunt lives across the street from me and they ask if she (MY mother) is your mother and she (my aunt) is your grandmother. THey think my aunt is my grandmother or my mothers mother. I think she looks so young because she acts so young. I'm sure I'll take after her and still be nursing in my 70's. :chuckle

[Love-A-Nurse]

thus far, i have not.

[Mattigan, RN]

I rejected an applicant because of age once. During the interview she fell asleep. I didn't know what to do so I just let her sleep. I went back in my office about 30 minutes later and she said she had just woke up and apologized. i asked if she had a health problem... she said "no, i'm just old and tired". She was in her early 60's and I don't really think that's ancient but that's really why i didn't hire her.

[Dr. Kate, BSN, RN]

So far I haven't been aware of discrimination because of my age.

WalMart RN--I can't believe someone mentioned your age. That's grounds for an age discrimination lawsuit. People usually aren't that stupid nowadays.

When I was new in nursing I worked in M/S with a nurse who was in her 70s. When that got to be a bit much for her she went to work in a conval (must have been 77-78 herself at the time). Then, when she'd had enough of that she became a volunteer at the conval (80+ by then.) From her I learned there are some old nurses you just can't kill. A good nurse is a good nurse no matter how old he/she is.

[live4today, RN]

I worked with a nurse in her seventies once. Just as fit and spry as a youngun in her teens. :chuckle No one messed with her! Tough and took no crap! She's probably still going strong, too. :chuckle