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Discussion

Career Advice

I'm presently finishing my pre-req's, and I think I've met my first age discrimination situation.

I wanted to be a Nurse all my life. It's what I dreamed to be, but when I visited a community

college recently I felt as though the admissions was rushing me through almost saying, "she's to old to be a nurse." The woman honestly couldn't waste her time with me, however, she did look stressed beyond, therefore, I'm cutting some slack. I'm 50 and no matter what I'm going to complete this degree. I lost my husband from cancer as well as my parents, and I was the caregiver in both situation's. Now, I want the luxury of going back to school. As most of you know, being a working Mom is hard, but I know I can do it. My question is am I to old to go into Nursing? Will there be jobs for someone my age out there? If I cut back to three days a week in work will I have the appropriate time to put my all into my clinical's. Am I being realistic for this field? Feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you. Onward and upward.:sarcastic:

Last edit by Reneeangel12 on 1:18 pm

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    • Expert

    How did you get the sense this might be an instance of "age discrimination" as opposed to the individual just having a bad day? Did you observe the admissions person treating younger potential students any differently? I'm not defending the person's behavior toward you, but there are huge numbers of people asking about and applying to nursing programs (many of them your age or older), and the admissions people are often sincerely busy and overworked.

    Plenty of people your age go into nursing these days. However, be aware that nursing programs are v. demanding physically. I've known a number of people who started school as older individuals and then decided (without any pressure from the school) that this was more than they really wanted to get into, and withdrew. Plenty of other older individuals finish and get licensed. As far as employment, times are hard for all new grad nurses these days; plenty of them of all ages are having problems finding jobs.

    Re: working, you should expect a full-time nursing program to be at least the equivalent of a full-time job, and plan your real job schedule accordingly. Also be aware that your class/lab/clinical schedule will likely change from semester to semester, so it's important to have an employer who is willing/able to be flexible about your work schedule.

    Best wishes!

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    Don't play the "age card" too quickly. Someone in my nursing classes was 70. It will be harder on the floor for anyone over age 40, but clinic jobs aren't so physically demanding.

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    • Author

    I'm not playing any "age card" slow down. I'm only expressing what I've experienced, and have heard. I'm to old for games:)

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    • Author

    I've know what it is to work hard, and I certainly don't need a lesson in how demanding it is physically, I totally get that. I've been busy and overworked as well and still find the respect, and dignity one would expect from the other. I was just asking about the market,clinical's and expressing a moment. Times are hard everywhere but if you really want work it's there, you just have to work a little harder at it. If you go online you will find hundreds of posts about the job market and age it's well known what to get into and what not to. I thought this was a good platform to post such thoughts.

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    • Expert

    I'm a second career nurse also. For me, I found nursing school easily doable while working full time. As I was an older student who had to work full time and had kids and husband too, I just stayed organized and did just fine.

    Best wishes at school - you can do it.

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    • Author

    Thank you very much.

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    First, my condolences on the loss of your husband. I applaud you for what you are doing. I am a new RN with an ADN and getting BSN online. I was 51 when I started all the pre-reqs and never gave my age a thought until it was time to look for a job.Although I do think there is age discrimination, a good hiring manager will see the assets of maturity you will bring to the job. I got a job in long-term care. The good news is people think you have been a nurse for a long time, which can also be bad news if they expect you yo know everythng! My advice is to get your age out of your mind. If you really want to be a nurse go for it! The program is rigorous but worth it! There are no guarantees for a job, even if you are younger. But chances are you will get a job and it is worth the struggle. There will be a hiring manager out there who will see the value in hiring you. Keep positive, be energetic, keep smiling!

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