hiring older nurses

[KThurmond]

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.

[Akinge]

i am 64 and have recently cut back to on call. i love it. we just recently hired a 70 yr old to work on call in our chemo clinic. the average age of our nurses is 59. as long as you can perform you can work. good on ya.

[GaleSRN, BSN, RN]

I am in my 60's. I work FT as a Manager for a Dialysis Clinic. I would be so happy to hire an older nurse, even if I have to train them in Home Dialysis. I wish more would consider Dialysis. Their skills are so needed. I have 2 openings right now in the San Francisco Bay Area. We train patients to do their own dialysis at their home. It is physically less demanding than hospital nursing or in-center dialysis.

[DrAres]

I'm interpreting the original post to refer to older nurses that are new grads. As a former hiring manager and current faculty, I will share some thoughts. As others have said, there is a place in nursing for all ages. Managers do have concerns about the investment to bring a new nurse to independent competency in the hired role and how long that nurse may stay (regarless of age). I think older nurses have an opportunity to package themselves in the best light, but I've found some are resistant to this idea.

Older new grads can configure their resume to highlight their transferable skills. A resume is not an application and you don't have to list all of a 25 year work history. People are often proud of that history but it can be perceived negatively. Input from others that have been in the field can help a new grad tidy up the resume and in the process mute the ability to determine their age from the resume.

Appearances were mentioned earlier and those can definitely be improved. Older nurses can consider their hair color (hide the gray), clothing (dress with some style for a younger appearance), and physical nature. I once initiated a conversation with a student in her mid-50s about her intentions after graduation because she was barely able to walk into my classroom. She felt her I.T. background would make her the perfect candidate for a Nurse Informatics position. I wasn't sure that job was realistic for a new grad, but felt some relief that she wasn't intending to apply for a staff nurse position. For the older nurse, I think it's importanat to convey an energetic nature to the hiring team. Energy = Youthfullness. This can be practiced in the clinical setting (have a sense of urgency even as a student) and for an interview.

Entry-level Master's RNs have a particularly difficult time as older new grads, in my opinion. The MSN degree preparation of a new grad is viewed suspiciously by practicing nurses and managers alike. Many believe the older new grad with an MSN is going to go off to do other non-direct care work after a minimal amount of experience is attained. But, Magnet hospitals tend to embrace this type of nurse. These new grads need additional career counseling to strategize their approach. When I get the chance, I advise people with non-nursing bachelor's to do a 2nd degree BSN rather than the ELM because I think they'll have less employment barriers.