Hiring and firing of older nurses: What can a nurse do?

[Susie2310]

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions or insights to offer in regard to older (40+) nurses maximizing their chances of being hired, and conversely, decreasing their chances of being fired. I have been reading several posts that refer to the discrimination some older nurses have been subjected to, or are currently facing in regard to these issues.

I am understanding that older nurses are more expensive to employers in terms of medical insurance, worker's compensation insurance and other benefits (please feel free to correct me).

If you are an older nurse, your suggestions are especially appreciated.

I apologize if my question has already been addressed. I did try a search of both these questions separately.

[DebCRNBSN]

I'm am an older nurse who has been the profession for 36 years. Five years ago I went back to school and got my BSN. Now I am applying to get into an MSN program. I am a clinical coach on my unit (orients new employees) and was a Super User when Epic was started at my hospital. Any nurse has to prove to the manager that they valuable to the unit reguardless of their age. As for older nurses being resistant to change, change has always been a part of nursing. Documentation, ways we do clinical care, the way we dress, and many other aspects have changed over the years. Older nurses are adaptable because they are use to change. My advise to older nurses is to hang in there, learn all that you can, and make yourself useful to your unit. The patients and the newer staff need your wisdom.