Ageism?

[Dpi8310]

I think I'm not being hired as an RN at the hospital I already work at because of ageism.

I'm 52 and just passed my state boards 2 months ago after graduating with honors from a very competitive RN program. I have been working for the same hospital corporation for 5 years as a unit secretary, I have never been written up for anything. I have had great evaluations every year and I have experience with the hospital charting system, also everyone in my department seems to be happy with me and have given me references. I have have applied for 4 hospitals in my area owned by this corporation. I have had 2 interviews for the new graduate program at 2 hospitals (one of which I currently work at) and have been turned down for both. I had applied for other positions as an RN but the recruiter automatically files denies my application as "not under consideration" so the hiring manager never sees it.

I talked to the director of the department i currently work in (radiology) and she had me talk to the CNO where I work who interviewed me again and set me up with a another interview that wasn't the new grad program. I interviewed for that and was not hired for that either. I am going to have to apply at other non affiliated hospitals, but if I don't stay with this corporation for 2 years I will have to pay back the tuition reimbursement the hospital gave me to go to school for my RN. I think its ridiculous i should have to stay a secretary there because they wont hire me as a nurse.

The reason I think the problem is ageism is because they hired some of my much younger classmates who have had no medical background at all. I also know of at least 4 of us who are over 40 were turned down from the same program. I've never had a problem with interviews before.

[caliotter3]

Your answer is in the last paragraph of your post. Do your time and leave, or leave now and owe them money. Either way I would leave rather than stay somewhere that showed how little they valued me.

[doodlebuttRN]

They paid for you to get your RN, and expect reimbursement, but expect you to continue working as a secretary (since they do not seem to be interested in hiring you as an RN) for however long it would take to pay them back as your newly minted RN skills rot away? That is ridiculous.

[Sour Lemon]

Age could be a factor. It could also be that someone is not overly fond of you or thinks you lack the stamina needed for the job.

I have worked with young, well-liked people who were not offered nursing jobs after graduation by their employers, though. You could also just be in a very competitive market.

In any case, don't start making waves ...even if you feel you've been treated unfairly. It won't change anything and it's not going to help with the good references you'll need to seek employment elsewhere.

[glencovediva]

I also feel I'm being discriminated b/c I 57 yrs old. I had to leave for a few yrs due to ovarian cancer & heart surgery. I'm feeling great now, and I would like to go back to work. But I keep getting turned down. I NEVER had this problem before. But my age and past disability are making me "undesirable" to potential employers.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

It is real

I'm a 69yr/old very experienced RN, 46+ years experience......

But I still have critical care game........and work at a pace some younger can't

Fortunate to have found local home health agency where most every staff member is " mature"

Returning to acute care, my experience puts me over the top of $ ladder....

I've tried retirement, not for me yet....

I just want to work...... $s not a real issue for me at this stage in life,

But prior applications to 6+ facility / agency...which I am more than min. Qualified for....

I will work till physical or cognition, yields otherwise