Agism in nursing???? (furious rant potential)

tlhubbard · Nov 15, 2005

I'm sorry you had this experience, however, when I was looking for a job last spring I had some offers, I also had some who liked my experience yet they did not call me back. It ended up being a blessing in disguise. I ended up in a wonderful position doing what I love, only taking call when and if I want. The schedule works well around my family, giving me weekends and holidays off.

I believe it was Garth Brooks who sang: "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"

There is something out there waiting JUST FOR YOU, and when you find it you'll know.

Best of luck.

veronica butterfly, ADN, RN · Nov 15, 2005

By the time the internships start, I'll have a solid year of hospital experience. I volunteer at a community clinic, and I am taking Spanish in order to increase my ability to care for my Spanish-only patients.
I have an exceptionally good evaluation from my first supervisor, with complimentary remarks. I also have written praises from patients, maybe 15 or so that I can actually lay my hands on. Two supervisors and a handful of experienced RN coworkers have enthusiastically agreed to serve as references for me.
I graduated with a 4.0 in nursing from a college that is one of the 7 identified by the ANA for excellence in nursing education.
I have a bachelor's degree and a master's from my prenursing days. I am a dually licensed professional (in psychotherapy). I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the bachelor's program, which was at a well known and well thought-of nearby state university.
Anybody else experiencing age-ism in nursing? Is there anybody out there who has successfully sued over it? I'm contemplating legal action and would love to hear from anyone with similar experiences, especially if you are in the Dallas area and know of an attorney adept and interested.....
Thanks. :angryfire

Again, could the OP please clarify why she is applying for internships when she has a year of nursing experience? I wouldn't consider her a "new grad". Also, planning legal action?? against an internship fair??? this post just smells a little fishy to me. Sorry to be a downer.

I'm sure there is ageism out there, I just haven't experienced it. Yup, I'm in my 40's, nope I can't always stay overnight and work a double, I need to get my kids on the bus, plus my left knee gets sore after 10 hours... Yup, I get pooped quicker than a 22 year old, I know that, I expect that. If a place is hiring based on things like that, please oh please hire someone else. I'm realistic about what I can and what I want to do.

TweetiePieRN · Nov 15, 2005

Our facility welcomes nurses of all walks of life. I think in most instances, they prefer a older nurse who has more life experience. They also hire new grads. When I was a new grad...I was one of 7 hired on the oncology floor and 3 of us were over the age of 45.

Hopefully you will be able to find a job somewhere where you will be comfortable and where they value your wisdom.

TweetiePieRN · Nov 15, 2005

Again, could the OP please clarify why she is applying for internships when she has a year of nursing experience? I wouldn't consider her a "new grad". Also, planning legal action?? against an internship fair??? this post just smells a little fishy to me. Sorry to be a downer.
I'm sure there is ageism out there, I just haven't experienced it. Yup, I'm in my 40's, nope I can't always stay overnight and work a double, I need to get my kids on the bus, plus my left knee gets sore after 10 hours... Yup, I get pooped quicker than a 22 year old, I know that, I expect that. If a place is hiring based on things like that, please oh please hire someone else. I'm realistic about what I can and what I want to do.

I was also thinking if she goes about and sues the internship fair....wouldn't a facility be leery about hiring her for fear of being sued for any reason under the sun? Just a thought.

It's truly unfortunate if she was not hired based on her age, but how do you actually go about proving this?

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 15, 2005

One word in the Dallas area...

GroupOne

TweetiePieRN · Nov 15, 2005

One word in the Dallas area...
GroupOne

Hi. What is GroupOne? I have never heard of it, but I live in California.

TypicalFish · Nov 15, 2005

I gave up just short of $1,000 in pay in order to attend an internship fair at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas in October. I dressed up, polished up my resume, made a bunch of copies. I shook hands, smiled, made eye contact, got a lot of encouragement, all the managers I spoke with said they were interested in me. Looked me right in the eye when they said it too.
Let's look at what I have (had) to offer:
By the time the internships start, I'll have a solid year of hospital experience. I volunteer at a community clinic, and I am taking Spanish in order to increase my ability to care for my Spanish-only patients.
I have an exceptionally good evaluation from my first supervisor, with complimentary remarks. I also have written praises from patients, maybe 15 or so that I can actually lay my hands on. Two supervisors and a handful of experienced RN coworkers have enthusiastically agreed to serve as references for me.
I graduated with a 4.0 in nursing from a college that is one of the 7 identified by the ANA for excellence in nursing education.
I have a bachelor's degree and a master's from my prenursing days. I am a dually licensed professional (in psychotherapy). I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the bachelor's program, which was at a well known and well thought-of nearby state university.
Interestingly, I didn't get so much as an interview or the courtesy of a letter saying they weren't interested.
Gee, could it be because I'm not a 25 year old fresh out of school?
As it happens, I'm 52. My friend who went with me to the fair is 48, and they didn't bother giving her the time of day when it was all over with either. We both look pretty good for our ages. Not that that should matter.
I don't have a criminal record, never been arrested, never have done anything criminal that would have gotten me arrested!
Anybody else experiencing age-ism in nursing? Is there anybody out there who has successfully sued over it? I'm contemplating legal action and would love to hear from anyone with similar experiences, especially if you are in the Dallas area and know of an attorney adept and interested.....
Thanks. :angryfire

I am 42, and never felt that my age was an issue; I am far more aware of it than anyone else; I think about the fact that my same-age peers have, some of them, have 20 years' experience. I know older women than myself who are new grads that haven't had any age-related issues. Maybe they felt that you were over qualified; maybe you are too experienced to be in an internship. BTW fully half of nursing class, as well as the previous year's class, were 40 or over. It has become widely accepted for nursing to be a 2nd, or mid-life, career for many people. I wish you all of the best

IV-PUSH · Nov 15, 2005

heres a new spin on the subject..I knew a nurse who had her masters in social work, and she had a really hard time seperating her previous job (social worker) from her current job (being a nurse)..and yes yes I know they are all intermingled somewhere/somehow, blurry line etc...BUT she would constantly interject in to things and pursue things for her patients that were no longer appropriate, she had a tremedously hard time seperating her roles...as a result there were reprimands handed down.

Do you think some employers look at the licensed psychotherapy aspect and think huh?? will there be a problem? (as the one mentioned)

Altra, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2005

To the OP: the best of luck and speed in finding a new position.

But I am also still unclear on why the pursuit of an internship, when you are an RN w/nearly a year of experience? It's possible I've misunderstood your posts, but I didn't see mention of changing specialties or something that would require an internship.

As someone who reviewed resumes for open positions in my previous life before nursing, it may simply come down to numbers: numerous qualified candidates, only so many hours in the day to interview. Some qualified candidates get called, some don't. From the posts here, I don't see discrimination based on age or any other factor. The oldest members of my graduating class this past spring were in their mid-50s. They did not take any longer to find employment than any younger classmates.

Also, as a few other posters mentioned, "overqualified" may also be an issue here. You might try tweaking your resume, not to downplay your considerable accomplishments, but to better tailor your presentation to positions you are currently seeking.

Job hunting is frustrating work. Good luck to you. :)

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 16, 2005

Hi, Chris. Sorry for your troubles. Your post illustrates a very serious problem with discrimination--it's very hard to prove. Your other posts on these boards make it hard for me to doubt your appraisal, but I have a hard time thinking what you can do about it.

I can say that in my own experience, age hasn't been a problem (I'm 49.) But gender hasn't been a problem for me, either, and it's pretty clear that it has for some.

Best of luck if you decide to seek legal redress, but in the end about the best I have to offer is what others have said: I'm sure there are plenty of employers who would be delighted to have you. My hospital has been bragging up being named by the AARP as one of the best places for employees over 50, and more recently as the first Magnet hospital in our state.

You have a lot to offer in a field that needs you badly, so I hope you won't get discouraged.

imdukes52 · Nov 16, 2005

Dear Chris,

I'm sorry for your troubles.

I'm a baby boomer aging RN, '71 grad, and through all the years, I have never seen discrimination because of age. Someone mentioned that maybe the internship positions/applicants may have been quite competitive, and for new grads...which is debatable in your case (you didn't specify what kind of internship it is).

At any rate, you seem to have a lot to offer, and if you are in my neck of the woods, you'd be grabbed quickly, even if you are near retirement age!

Good luck.

'Dukes

hipab4hands · Nov 16, 2005

Yes, there is ageism in Nursing. It's one of those "dirty little secrets" that's not talked about. Our employer makes it very difficult for the older nurses to remain employed, especially if you have chronic medical conditions. It seems that the closer to retirement these nurses get, the more scrutiny they get from management.

Several of my co-workers have quit rather than be kept under a microscope by management.

The sad truth is very few employers in any field want to provide retirement benefits to their long term employees and will find any excuse to get rid of them.