Am I Too Old?

Specialties Emergency

Published

;)Am a 2nd career RN (was a programmer all my life), just got my RN at age 52. Am I too old to start my career in the ER? Am looking at a Baylor position (so at least it will be days vs. nights).

Am a good team player and feel I have good instincts and learn quickly. Is there hope that I will be hired...or will they think I'm too old????

Thanks for your input, ER nurses.........

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Hey! I was a COBOL programmer, outsourced at 50, became an LPN at 52. Working on the RN.

I don't know about the ER specifically, but no, you're not too old.

:)

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Specializes in corrections, LTC, pre-op.
;)Am a 2nd career RN (was a programmer all my life), just got my RN at age 52. Am I too old to start my career in the ER? Am looking at a Baylor position (so at least it will be days vs. nights).

Am a good team player and feel I have good instincts and learn quickly. Is there hope that I will be hired...or will they think I'm too old????

Thanks for your input, ER nurses.........

Gosh I hope not, taking my RN-Nclex 15th of May and I'm 61.

Larry in Florida

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Went into the ED at 48 with less than a year experience before that.

Just look to see the age mix in the ED you interview at. If there is a good mix of ages then you'll be OK. If all you see are recent to new grads that are younger, I will bet you that there is age discrimination taking place: and/or, a bad working environment because all the seasoned nurses leave (high turnover rate), where they hire the inexperienced (of any age) because those without much experience don't know better (in regards to recognizing a toxic environment). If you can do well multi-tasking and being able to constantly reprioritize, then you will do fine in an ED, no matter what your age is.

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Specializes in ER.

Hope not! I am 53 and a travel nurse at a very busy level 1 trauma center. I take traumas with the young ones and do just fine, except they keep the room warmer than I would like at this age!

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All you are the greatest....I am 57 and starting nursing school in Aug...after having been an EMT for 5 yrs..."Age only matters if you are cheese"

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

You earned it -- so go for it! Age is "a state of mind"....keep us posted! God Bless!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Oh, yippee!! I am glad to see this thread!! I am 51 and finishing my second semester of an ADN program. I have been hired for an internship in an ED for the summer, but have wondered if age could be an issue in a busy and demanding environment like this. I thrive on action, so have always been drawn toward the ED.

One of my most boring days of clinicals so far was the day I did an OR observation -- yeegads!! Can you say "repetitious"?!?!? Thank goodness everyone has their own interests!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I'm 53, went to the ER 3 years ago after 10 years in ICU. My maturity and calmness in the chaotic environment has worked well. Go for it

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Specializes in ED, pre-hospital medicine and CCT.

Age doesn't mater. There are plenty of "young" RNs who couldn't function in the ER. If that's your interest then go for it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You will be a comforting presence in the ER. Everyone will assume that you have been a nurse for years. Just enjoy the experience and learn as much as you can!

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Age definitely doesn't matter. I graduated nursing school 5/06 after three years at the ripe age of 53. I'm fast approaching my 1st year as an RN and doing just fine thankyouverymuch.

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