agism in nursing

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Hello to everyone,

Have I have been enjoying reading all these threads lately and have been reading alot of good information on becoming a nurse after 45. My question is to all of the nurses that have been in the field for awhile.

Do you see new hires at the age of 45 y/o or older? And what is the ratio? I am currently and will be finished my pre/reqs by spring 09 and want to go to nursing school. But not sure if the hospitals are even hiring older new nurses.

Can anyone out there give me some insight????:bow:

PS the more comments the better:nuke:

Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

No sweat.....oldsters are hot right now. High on the hiring list. According to a big Harris poll last year, many companies are striving to hire older or second career people.

Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I agree. I've seen ladies and gents older than 45 going back to school. If they can do it so can you.

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I've been an RN for two years....I'm 55.

Specializes in LTC/MDS/PPS.

I'll finish my RN Dec or Jan..I'll be 54..I've already started getting headhunter calls. I love telling them I only want to work 2-3 days a week :D

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

As you read the responses in this thread, I suggest you take note of the age and experience level of those who are responding. Many may not be in a position to know how an older new grad appears to someone in the business of hiring a staff nurse.

A lot depends on the individual and on the particular job. Some jobs are physically demanding. So, for an older worker to be hired, that older worker needs to present themselves as someone sufficiently physically fit to do the job -- to be able to handle rotating shits, lift heavy patients, be on their feet for 12 hours, etc. In other words, if you are overweight, look "old for your age," seem uncomfortable when you walk (as if you have sore feet or a bad back), etc. you might give the impression that you will have trouble performing the job.

Similarly, some older new grads have trouble "learning fast." They have great life experience and maturity to bring to the job, but they sometimes struggle with the speed of a busy unit and with need to learn new material and skills quickly. Once again, an older new grad has to consider this in their search for a first job that "fits" them well -- and also consider how they present themselves on a job interview and during the orientation process. They need to give the appearance that they can handle this aspect of the job.

Experienced nurses of the same age do not face the same difficulties when they apply for a new job -- as they have already mastered the common nursing skills. So, the fact that people see plenty of "mature" nurses practicing does NOT mean that an older new grad will be viewed the same way as an older, experienced RN.

I suspect that I will be getting a few flames for this post -- but I would be doing a dis-service to all the more mature students if I didn't clue you in as to how you can possibly look to someone hiring new grads. Some older new grads present themselves in a very positive way and are hired with no special problems. But others raise questions in the minds of managers and educators when they display evidence that they may have some of the issues mentioned above.

llg -- age 53 with 30 years experience in nursing -- most of those years in hospital leadership roles

I was a very mature new grad and I think llg is right on at least a couple of points.

I can't speak for how management "looks" at us, but here's my experience.

I was an EXCELLENT student, am physically fit, look better than average/fitter than most for my age and had no problem getting hired in a fast paced hospital unit.

Here's the reality check: I really was slower to pick up the skills. This has been embarrassing to me, because I am an intelligent person and I knew I could do it with time, but it's been difficult. I've made very "dumb" mistakes, too. I honestly, truly feel that I would have been a thousand times better at this 10 or 20 years ago.

Also, rotating shifts are killing me.

I'm really glad I did it though, and will stick with it as long as I can.

Good luck.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Although ageism is a cleverly concealed issue in the workplace, you'll still be able to find a nursing job at your age.

I asked my nurse manager a few months ago, "Why does our facility dislike older nurses?" Keep in mind that my nurse manager is over the age of 40.

Her response: "Older nurses are difficult to deal with. They're stuck in their ways, and are always too busy arguing. Younger nurses are easier for us to work with."

Does age discrimination exist in the nursing workforce? Heck, yes! And it is the incorrect thing to do.

Her response: "Older nurses are difficult to deal with. They're stuck in their ways, and are always too busy arguing. Younger nurses are easier for us to work with."

interpretation:

you can't pull a fast one over older nurses.

only the younger nurses will tolerate our b.s.

leslie:twocents:

Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

I am 46 and I have never had a problem getting a job in nursing or out of nursing. I do agree that some older people are a little slower than the younger crowd, but that is the minority.

My brain has not slowed down. I am just as fast, learn even quicker than my younger counterparts. I do admit that I am physically fit and take pride in what I can accomplish.

So to those of you older men or women, if nursing is where you want to be, I say go for it.

Nothing ventured, Nothing gained!!!!

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I just finished a new grad preceptorship for a nurse who is 52. His biggest problem is time/management in blancing all the needs in an ER. As a combat medic and EMS, his focus was always on the one or possibly two people he had, and time to chat during the sometimes extended transport times. I push him to leave the room a little faster so as to go onto the next thing, without making the patient feel as though noone has time to talk to them. That's a skill that takes time and experience to develop!

Our ER has quite a few "older" new grads.

Leslie, you're right on! Mature people don't take quite as much bs before speaking up!:smokin:

I'm 48, with 27 years in nursing.

Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.

In Australia, there has been a huge push for older women/men to join or rejoin nursing, giving refresher courses to the ex nurses. It has worked wonderfully, I love it. Except when I visit new clients with a student and they think I am the student Grrrr!. I think the more mature nurses are sometimes more focused and often don't have the distractions that are inevitable at a younger age. I Know, because I had plenty of distractions.

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