Bridge program for older nurse

[alschmi]

I have been a nurse for 17 years from an LPN to RN and now a BSN. I have experience in many different areas but I have never really found my place in the nursing world. When I was an LPN they were not hiring us in hospitals so the only place to go was a nursing home or a doctors office. I was a single mom raising 2 children and 10 years later I went back for my RN. This made me an even older nurse and slim pickings for a hospital job in our area. There are not many positions and many want experience or new grads....I of course have fallen between the cracks. Recently I applied for a bridge program at a hospital that is over an hour away from me. I have an interview next week but am afraid as being a 40 something nurse that i will not be hired. Does anyone have any experience with a bridge program? i would so very much love to have an opportunity to work in a hospital to know if it the place for me. I have been in administration and really miss patient care. I welcome any and all pearls!!

[happyinillinois]

Can't comment on a bridge program, but this 44 year old New Grad just got hired into the ER. I have 1 year expereince as an LPN during nursing school. I think I was hired because of my maturity, not in spite of it!

[Rntr]

I agree, alot of it is attitude... what does age have to do with it anyway. There are so many nurse's out there that don't go to school till later in life and this is not just LPN but BSN too.. go for it and be confident. I think they will appreciate you maturity... let us know..

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

40-something? You're just a young pup! I'm 54 and I am working on my LPN/BSN bridge program now. I'm not worrying about getting a job when I graduate, I've been in hospice for over 12 years and plan to stay there until I retire. GO FOR IT!

I live an hour away from my university, also.