Is there nursing after 50?

kellyo, LPN · Jan 8, 2005

I'll be 35 when I graduate next year, and I figure I've got 30+ years to work as a nurse. Just let 'em try to fire this 70 year old biddy!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

Because I am not getting hired and the last DON fired me for petty stuff. I was there until this nurse passed state boards she was from another country and had failed then twice, she had to work with an RN until she passed boards then they got rid of me. she was 25 and yes I was told that I was too old

If they actually said this, you have been discriminated against. However, people with this attitude will also lie, so good luck getting any kind of help from EEOC or an attorney.

In answer to your original question, "gosh, I hope not, I start Monday on my first RN job and I am 51."

There's a shortage out there. If you were truly fired for "petty things," find someplace else. That can happen to any of us.

If they hired a new nurse who was also foreign, maybe they were trying to cut corners.

If you know your stuff, get back out there and get hired. We need you here in the Dallas area, if you are looking to relocate, and I have a friend in McAllen TX who could help you get a job near her--if you are up for some serious heat and bugs. (Speak Spanish? Email me.)

Good luck to you. Ignore them. It's not your age, and maybe it's not you, either. Everybody has a bad experience now and then. Ignore it and get on with nursing.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

I am the youngest nurse out of 8 at my facility...the next is 50 and goes up to 64! Heck no you are not to old!!!!! I thought I WAS OLD...but I have to giggle now, most nurses I know of are in their 40-50s and to me 50 is FAR from old!!!! I am a baby nurse to them, and will be until I am in my 40-50's! (my residents don't think I am an RN even because I am so much younger looking or even think I know what I am talking about...well till I work with them, than that is blown out of the water fast!!!!!).

Keep the faith, keep looking! And YES it is age discrimination and stand up for yourself! If aging by the year is cause for dismissal...then what the heck field did we all get into..not like that can be helped. We deal with enough forms of various disregard or discrimintation...now father time (heck I didn't go into modeling where father time may be an issue..why the heck should this matter unless I become unable to perform tasks r/t conditions..not aging!!!)??? UHGGGGGGGG! Don't take that abuse, your 50 years is valuable and unique and special...and NO ONE should ever tell you it wasn't or you are worth less for MORE experience! Makes me sick to even think about it!

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

Jeez,

I'm turning 60 on March!! I work full-time & I could get all the overtime I wanted at the Hospital where I work. Up until last year I also worked part-time in Home Care besides my full-time job. I quit that VOLUNTARILY, just because it was getting to be a bit too much for me!!! THEY BEGGED ME TO STAY!! I still hear from them every couple of months to please come back.

Now, I work in a big city--Chicago, and maybe that's why there's so many

opportunities.

You sound like you could have a good case of age discrimination, if that's why they let you go.

I work nites & have for almost 30 years. I have very young people coming up to me all the time inquiring "How do you do it?" They seem to be amazed that I can work nites & still have a life.

Now, besides working full time, and being 60--I have had bilateral hip-replacements 15 years ago & need to have both shoulders replaced sometime in the rather near future. my managers have never even hinted that I should

consider leaving!!

Mary Ann

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

I'll be fifty this year and I'm still on a roll. I work with several nurses older than myself. One is 68 years old. I am making a transition to case management because I know sooner or later I'll need to slow down. I promised myself I would start transitioning once I hit 50. Hang in there

RNKITTY04 · Jan 8, 2005

I just graduated form nursing school and I will be 40 this year. I sure hope I have more than 10 years of work ahead of me, if not those student loans are never gonna get payed back :chuckle

People constantly think I have been a nurse for years, I think age is an asset in nursing, my patients always remark to me that they do not want student nurses taking care of them. I just nod and smile and chuckle to myself. If they only knew.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

Nope. We have homes to go to. They let us play with gauze, fold towels, and wear diapers.

Pattiecake · Jan 8, 2005

Does being 50+ mean I have to quit nursing and go into poverty for the rest of my life or am I supossed to kill myself?

59, working full time, and lovin' it. Never gonna quit. Each day is so unique.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2005

Once a nurse reaches the magic age of 65 in my home care department, they "retire" from FT practice, but continue to work 2-3 days week. Average age of 7 RN's is 60....only one staff RN younger than me.

One RN's license date is 12/30/1955-- nursing 50 years this winter. Still working 2 days a week, I told her she's not allow to fully retire untill then. She's looking for a second career to keep her mind sharp!

"AGE is all in the mind" stated my grandmothers both who lived >90!

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Jan 9, 2005

I'm counting on it! That's how old I'll be at graduation... :chuckle

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 9, 2005

Lord, i would think there's nursing after 50. Just because i'd turn 50 don't mean the bills are going to disappear.

Malt123 · Jan 9, 2005

I am glad everyone is working wish that I was