Ageism?

oramar · Jan 19, 2008

It is a problem no doubt. I don't know for sure if it is a problem in your case but it could be. There have been several articles in newspapers and magazines in my home town saying that age discrimination continues full throttle in our society. These same articles say that they are at a loss to say how employers plan on filling all those openings if they don't consider older workers. You see there is a huge SKILLED labor shortage coming and everyone is going to be vieing for the same generation x and y and soon z workers. Just ain't enough of them to go around. True there are a lot of immigrants but the vast majority of them are unskilled. As for importing skilled labor, every 1st world country is going to be competing for those same workers. Oh these same articles did list exceptions where companies welcomed older workers and were very happy with the outcomes. However,these articles said that companies that do this are in the minority. Most have the same old tired attitudes toward older workers. Guess what I am trying to say is that they made a huge mistake not giving you a chance. It is their loss. Hope you can find something soon.

Mulan · Jan 19, 2008

What type of positon are you looking for, what type of floor or unit?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 19, 2008

i've been a nurse for 21+ years, was a "late entry" who went back to school when my kids started school. been doing travel nursing for the last almost 2 1/2 years and enjoyed it as i was divorced within that time and it was an opportunity to try my wings and see what i'd missed.
now i am considering relocating and settling down. i have a place in mind and have been looking for a job in the area. i've submitted resumes to both career sites and individual facilities, been called by recruiters, and had several interviews, but nothing has come of them. in one case, i was invited back at company expense for a second interview and was told i was their "leading candidate," then after that interview did not hear from them for a week. i finally e-mailed the first person who interviewed me, who would have been my direct supervisor, and 2 days(!) later received an e-mail back stating that they had decided i wasn't a "good fit" after all. (this after they had told me i was!) i got an official notice from their hr department the following week, which they didn't have enough class to have a human being sign. last week i had an interview for a job i'd been recruited for and i haven't heard a thing from them either. in all cases i've sent the requisite thank-you notes, etc.
but...i am approaching what some might consider retirement age. i don't look it, i'm in excellent health, and i have a good attendance record. if it's come up at all (it only did once), i've assured prospective employers that i have no intention of retiring any time soon. you'd think with that, and my experience, and the nursing shortage, i could get somewhere. i am seriously thinking that there is ageism at work, and it looks like i'm doomed to finish out my career as a traveler. discrimination on the basis of age is illegal, but you can't ever prove it.

i've been convinced that there is agism in nursing for quite some time, however like you, i cannot prove it. i've seen the older, experienced nurses forced out of their jobs by a new manager determined to "streamline the budget." (i'm sure it's no coincidence that these older nurses are at the top of their payscale!) it's rarely anything overt. instead, they muck about with schedules, vacation times, on call, mandatory overtime and assignments until the older nurse gets frustrated, fed-up and leaves. somehow it's only the older nurses who get targeted, never the newbies at the bottom of their payscale!

Trauma Columnist · Jan 19, 2008

I worked in an ER which is undergoing an "older than 40 and out" mentality. Have talked to several former co-workers and all report that those over 40 were pushed, prodded or just plain shoved out the door. Not right by anyone's rules, but done nonetheless.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2008

Getting rid of older workers, either because of age or pay scale, is pretty short-sighted. That's cutting your budget at the expense of experience and, one would hope, wisdom.

I have heard of businesses (not necessarily health care-related businesses) giving preference to "older"(over 40 or so) workers. They find older workers to be more reliable and to have a better work ethic than younger workers. This is a generalization, of course, and I know some young folks who are great workers and wonderful employees.

To the OP: keep looking. Sooner or later you'll run into someone smart enough to see what they'd be getting by hiring you!

harley007 · Jan 19, 2008

I entered the cath lab in my 50's with no previous experience. Yes I had worked in the ER & ICU and had years of experience. I told my interviewer that I was looking for a position I could devote myself to for the next ten years. I was not interested in moving around. I wanted some place to call home and continue to increase my skills. Going in cold with no experience was very, very difficult but here I am 1 1/2 years later ready to stay here until they kick me out or I need to retire. Perhaps indicating that type of commitment will help? My boss said it did make a difference. Then again who knows as it is very hard to recruit RN's for our department it involves being on call. Best of luck to you!

Scooter321 · Jan 20, 2008

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're having finding a good position, cvryder. I have to say that this post (and the replies) is scaring the bejeezers out of me, a very "non-traditional" student. I'm 50 and hoping to start a two-year RN program next fall. Now I'm wondering if I'm just setting myself up for failure. Is ageism really common in nursing? Obviously as a newbie I wouldn't be earning the higher pay that comes with experience, but is that the only reason for this attitude of "get 'em young"? If not, it worries me no end that I'm going to end up with a shiny new license and nowhere to use it. :innerconf

What do you guys think?

Mulan · Jan 20, 2008

Within the past year I have worked on med surg with a new grad 50 year old and with a new hire 56 years old.

rn/writer, RN · Jan 20, 2008

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're having finding a good position, cvryder. I have to say that this post (and the replies) is scaring the bejeezers out of me, a very "non-traditional" student. I'm 50 and hoping to start a two-year RN program next fall. Now I'm wondering if I'm just setting myself up for failure. Is ageism really common in nursing? Obviously as a newbie I wouldn't be earning the higher pay that comes with experience, but is that the only reason for this attitude of "get 'em young"? If not, it worries me no end that I'm going to end up with a shiny new license and nowhere to use it. :innerconf
What do you guys think?

As a new nurse, you will be at the low end of the pay scale. It's the nurses in your age bracket who have years of experience who are having a harder time. Even as new employees, they come in higher on the clinical ladder and qualify for a higher rate of pay.

Agnus · Jan 20, 2008

As a new nurse, you will be at the low end of the pay scale. It's the nurses in your age bracket who have years of experience who are having a harder time. Even as new employees, they come in higher on the clinical ladder and qualify for a higher rate of pay.

It is hard to tell what is going on as you say. Have you considered other possible reasons? Until you can eliminate other possible reasons you may never be able to actully pin it down to this. Sometimes (though rarely) you can get someone to tell you the reason. a question that might help ferret this out is "what can I do to make myself more competetive in the eyes of your facility." If you feel you may be rejected because you would enter too high on the payscale be the one to bring it up bring it out in the open at the interview and discuss it. If you feel it is age again bring it out into the open.

They can not legally mention any of these things buy you can and because you can you are in a position to dispel their concerns.

Signed

More than a few grays myself

Scooter321 · Jan 20, 2008

Thank you mulan and Miranda for your input. It makes me feel a little better.

OP, I hope you are able to find something soon. Surely someone out there will appreciate what you have to offer!