agism in nursing

angel337, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2008

i don't consider 40's to be "older" but i really think it has alot to do with how you present yourself. where i work we get a lot of applicants and i have heard the manager say things like "she's older and her husband is a ----- so she doesn't really need the job" or "this nurse doesn't need to work fulltime" so they already assume that because you are older you won't be as available for the weekends, holidays and swing shifts like the younger nurses. i graduated with a lady that was in her 50's and she works now as a casemanager. she loves it. it suits her lifestyle and its not as physically demanding as hospital work. i work with older nurses that run rings around younger ones. it all just depends on the person.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 17, 2008

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.

Thanks for the honest post. For many people, beginning a nursing career over age 35 is the right decision. Many people succeed. However, people considering it need to know the potential difficulties -- and hear the real-life stories from people like in order to make a good decision about whether or not nursing will be a good choice for them.

SoundofMusic · Jul 17, 2008

Turning 45 here in September and I just graduated last fall. I am told I look younger for my age, (but I'm somewhat middle-agey with my figure, which I SO wish I could improve.) I'm trying VERY hard to lift weights now and get in good shape so I can survive these 12 hr shifts! (as well as my life and family when I'm off work).

I have not experienced ageism where I've been. I feel my managers take me every bit as as seriously as the 25 year olds. I get a few comments from the other nurses like "since you're older" (fill in the blank) -- and I just say, whatever. Yes, I am older -- and I come to the field with a prior degree and loads of life experience. So far it's only been an advantage to me.

I do sort of get tired of some of the younger nurses and their cliques. I mean -- I just don't have the same interests as a 22 year old and sometimes I just don't jive with them much. I do tend to get along with the older nurses who get a kick out of me just starting out. 99% of them have been wonderfully helpful and friendly, treating me like one of the staff.

I feel that in the ICU, I thought they were a bit hard on me because I was older -- but in looking back, I think it had more to do with lack of experience than anything. "Just get your time in med surg" was the advice I got. I felt that perhaps they were a bit easier on some of the younger, fitter, stronger gals who were a bit quicker -- but whatever. I'm still a nurse now on a tough unit and doing fine. I've set my goals for the next 7 years to get all my clinical experience and then I'll find that nice office type nursing job -- but I'm having fun now and fitting in just fine with nurses of all ages. Most are MY age, so we have a great time. :p I'm PROUD to have finished nursing school at my age, to have a great marriage and 3 beautiful kids -- I mean -- many would be envious of all I have in life. I'm not going to worry about what they think of my age at work....who the heck cares!!

As long as I show up and complete my shifts and provide good care, I think they are happy with people of any age on these oh-so-short-staffed units.

And interestingly enough, the ONE nurse on the unit that I strive to emulate is over 55. She's sharp, in great shape, works circles around half the staff, is constantly being put in charge of things -- I mean -- THAT is who I'm striving to be like myself.

The younger nurses on our unit seem too busy planning their weddings or plotting when they're going to have babies or take time off or whatever social thing they're going to. Some of them dont' seem all that serious about their work -- but that is the generational difference also, I think. Not meaning to generalize, though.

Turtle in scrubs · Jul 17, 2008

My classmate was 46 when we graduated last year and she had no problem getting hired and says she does not experience ageism. On my unit there is a new grad this past week that is 45 and I don't think anyone blinked an eye.

I agree with the other posters about knowing your abilities and physical stamina and looking for a job that matches.

Best of luck to you on your journey:D

Jules A, MSN · Jul 17, 2008

I was just thinking tonight about the wonderful group of nurses I work with all of whom are over 35 years old, most nearing 50. We have varied amounts of experience, I didn't start LPN school until I was 40, and yet we get along great, work hard and get the job done. Another plus is that the Docs are respectful of our opinions.

:up:

*ac* · Jul 17, 2008

As an over 50 new grad, I can still definitely run circles around anybody at any age. And my work ethic is impeccable - which I why I think there's a general trend in the workforce to pursue older workers...

But there's something subtle that's hard to describe. For one thing as an older person, you're use to knowing what you're doing in life. You've been managing your own family for years with authority. Maybe you've been very successful and respected in another career. Then you go to school, and with that life experience, you do great.

Then you get into a job where everything happens on overdrive and there's a million little things you've never, ever done before and at least for me, this was emotionally and mentally overwhelming. The speed at which you pick things up is compared to people half your age. And you are at the very bottom of the totem pole.

If you have teenagers, watch them really closely when they are on the computer and see how incredibly fast their minds work.

How's your vision and hearing? You have to be able to read really tiny print on medication packaging and see who's coming down the hall and there's no time to switch glasses. You have to be able to work in the dark, too. (You CAN turn on the lights at night, but your patients will hate you.) Can you hear someone talking quietly with a mask over their face? Older nurses who've been at it for years can handle these slight deficits because they're confident in their skills and have had time to adapt, but when everything is new, any deficits in these areas will add enormously to the difficulty.

Also, as someone mentioned above, there is the continuous wedding planning, pregnancy and baby showers. I listen to this constantly, including pictures. Unless I've known people a long time or it's family, I find these things hard to get interested in.

Someone above mentioned an older grad doing case management. Take a look at job postings. Pretty much any job in my area that is not hospital floor nursing requires one to two year's experience. Case management requires more like five. Plus now that I've seen what case managers do, you couldn't make me do that job for all the money in the world. So how about a doctor's office? Again you need experience and then be willing to work for slave wages.

As I said earlier, I'm glad I did it, and I'm proud, too, but I've considered quitting a dozen times in 6 months and it's been the hardest thing I've EVER done.

husker_rn, RN · Jul 17, 2008

I am 58 and have had no trouble finding jobs but agism does indeed exist. I have seen older nurses phased out for younger nurses at lower wages. The management doesn't always want someone who knows a lot. They want someone who knows what they want them to know.

blueheaven · Jul 17, 2008

Get this!!!!!! My mom is 78 years old and has been retired (forced to due to hip fx or she would still be at it) and she gets phone calls from nurse recruiters!!!!!

SoundofMusic · Jul 18, 2008

Also, as someone mentioned above, there is the continuous wedding planning, pregnancy and baby showers. I listen to this constantly, including pictures. Unless I've known people a long time or it's family, I find these things hard to get interested in.

LOL. This seems to go on all night during our night shifts. They literally sit there for HOURS looking at shoes, or dresses, or wedding venues. I have to wonder how they get away with it and how management doesn't "see" this happening and how they get all their work done as well??

I mean -- I'm sorry. Go home and plan a slumber party or something for that ... work isn't the place.

Oh, gosh, am I bitter and crusty. :uhoh3:

I mean, sorry -- doesn't anyone want to discuss middle age topics? How about mouthy teenagers, mortgages, empty nest syndrome, skin sag, or premenopausal symptoms, perhaps? I have NO ONE to bounce these things off of, until day shift comes in .... :chuckle