hiring older nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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I see many threads of students in their 30s and up asking if they are too old to go back to school, change careers, etc. The answer is no.

I've also seen threads where older nurses couldn't find jobs and they believe it is their age. Does anybody know how employeers feel about age?

I'm just curious and asking because I'm sure other people have wondered as well.

Specializes in Dialysis.

Not kidding. "We have our Christmas eve with grandma x, then Christmas day at our house, blah blah blah." I explained that unfortunately everyone on staff has the same ordeal, sacrifices must be made, and welcome to healthcare. For nursing, the wait list for day shift is approx 2years. No one gets moved to the front. I realize that the family misses little Susie at family gatherings, but so do other families whose loved ones miss due to work. Its the nature of healthcare. I also explained that as Susie is an adult, I cannot discuss her work schedule with anyone without express written consent. I had 4 of these conversations this year with parents. One kiddo (24 year old) said her mom thought I was mean to not give her the day off after she took the time to call and explain their "unique" family situation. I suspect this is going on elsewhere

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I just graduated nursing school at the age of 46. There are very few new graduate openings where I live. The hospital that I am a PCT at says the majority of their turnover is with new grads, hence their reluctance to higher them. However, I feel this is more of a problem with the twentysomethings than with new grads in general. I just think people in their 20s tend to job-hop no matter what field they are in (at least I know I did in my 20s).

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I just turned 53 and am about to complete my last semester of nursing school. The fear of my age hindering my job prospects is very real to me. While I am hoping it won't limit me, some of these posts make me a little nervous; others have made me feel better so I guess time will tell. I am excited to start this new phase of my life and hope to cross the path of more who are supportive of all nurses of all ages. :)

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C'mon guys.........ageism....it sure is a trend in this millennial focused world . Try revering those with experience vs disparaging thoughts & remarks. You may feel differently when you reach the 'ripe old age of 30, 40, 50 +'. Those who have stuck it out that long do have a lot to offer....often the 'younger' crowd are viewed as trying to reinvent the wheel....quite often you don't need to.

So perhaps those of you who don't like the term 'eat their young' should not refer to mature staff as 'dinosaurs' & relegate them to a stature of just an 'fte'. Keep everyone engaged, no matter their age.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.
Not kidding. "We have our Christmas eve with grandma x, then Christmas day at our house, blah blah blah." I explained that unfortunately everyone on staff has the same ordeal, sacrifices must be made, and welcome to healthcare. For nursing, the wait list for day shift is approx 2years. No one gets moved to the front. I realize that the family misses little Susie at family gatherings, but so do other families whose loved ones miss due to work. Its the nature of healthcare. I also explained that as Susie is an adult, I cannot discuss her work schedule with anyone without express written consent. I had 4 of these conversations this year with parents. One kiddo (24 year old) said her mom thought I was mean to not give her the day off after she took the time to call and explain their "unique" family situation. I suspect this is going on elsewhere

Unbelievable!

I would have been mortified--as either the parent or the working nurse. ( just can't bring myself to call the nurse a child in these circumstances)

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Specializes in Dialysis.
Unbelievable!

I would have been mortified--as either the parent or the working nurse. ( just can't bring myself to call the nurse a child in these circumstances)

I know. I would have died if my mom pulled that. But 1 of the special snowflakes quit without notice because she didn't get all of the holidays off (we split CE/CD, NYE/NYD so everyone gets at least 2 off). She came in January 2, wondering if she could get her job back now. Ummm, nope. We may need help, but not that badly.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
Not kidding. "We have our Christmas eve with grandma x, then Christmas day at our house, blah blah blah." I explained that unfortunately everyone on staff has the same ordeal, sacrifices must be made, and welcome to healthcare. For nursing, the wait list for day shift is approx 2years. No one gets moved to the front. I realize that the family misses little Susie at family gatherings, but so do other families whose loved ones miss due to work. Its the nature of healthcare. I also explained that as Susie is an adult, I cannot discuss her work schedule with anyone without express written consent. I had 4 of these conversations this year with parents. One kiddo (24 year old) said her mom thought I was mean to not give her the day off after she took the time to call and explain their "unique" family situation. I suspect this is going on elsewhere

Wow. Just wow. I fear for the future.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I'll be 49 in a couple weeks, and I'm halfway through NP school. I don't foresee being able to go without a paycheck anytime soon so I figured I might as well be in a place that has more autonomy, respect and stimulation and less back-breaking, feet-hurting chaos. Who knows what the future brings but you have to live every day as if you're still 25.

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Specializes in Geriactrics, Pediatrics.

When I worked as Director of Nursing and acting DON, I had several older nurses who would work for me when I needed someone. They did a great job and actually did better than some of my fulltime younger nurses. They were old school and I liked that. They have since retired but they were great nurses.

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When I worked as Director of Nursing and acting DON, I had several older nurses who would work for me when I needed someone. They did a great job and actually did better than some of my fulltime younger nurses. They were old school and I liked that. They have since retired but they were great nurses.

That's good. The old school thing seems to be controversial. Some employers like it and some don't.

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That's good. The old school thing seems to be controversial. Some employers like it and some don't.

Most like it. They also want you to be up to date in a technical sense, though. And those multiple initials after your last name.

I had 2 COBs train me for my HH job. Ages 73 and 74. Both equally knowledgeable, but the one who also knew the computer stuff cold was the go to for the managers.

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It is not so much just the age of the nurse. it is being a new nurse that is older. I was told it took over $30,000 to take a new graduate nurse and mentor them to be skilled nurse. Many places will not spend that type of money on a person with such a short career life. Yes age discrimination i illegal but it happens everyday. It is just disguised under another name. The may say it is lack of experience or too much experience.

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