How can I get in the hospital?

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

I have a BSN but I'm 36years old and have never worked in a hospital. Is it too late for me? I don't feel like I can compete with 22 year old new grads. I can't even get a call back and I've been applying to hospitals all over the area. I'm feeling so discouraged and don't know what else to do. Feel like I've wasted a lot of time becoming a nurse. Is there any way a person like me can stand out among a sea of younger nurses?

You're new here, so I assume you haven't read all the new grad/can't find a job posts?

It's not your age, imo. It's the economy, the cost of hiring new grads, etc. If age was the issue, I would have been the last in my class to find a job. I was the first to find one. My resume gave my age away, not my looks (or so I'd like to think...) I had two hiring managers tell me that my age was a plus, not a minus.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

I don't like ur chances w/out any hospital experience. It will be very hard. I was older when I fin my BSN but I'd worked in hospitals for many years.

What about going thru a nursing agency?

Can you not get a Graduate Nurse Program (GNP) at all? I myself had to move to another state in Oz to get experience - it's the reality of life nowadays unfortunately. U may have to apply out of state. But keep applying, don't give up, something will come along. Have u applied to nursing homes, doctor's surgeries & thought outside the square? Some places may train u up to their standards.

Let us know what happens.

allnurses Guide · Oct 8, 2011

It is likely the area you are living in being saturated. You didn't say if you have previous experience at all, how long it has been since you graduated and what kind of work you have done since then. All those things will play in as well.

It isn't your age. Most students in nursing school these days are second career pursuers and are older than "out of high school".

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

I have a BSN but I'm 36years old and have never worked in a hospital. Is it too late for me? I don't feel like I can compete with 22 year old new grads. I can't even get a call back and I've been applying to hospitals all over the area. I'm feeling so discouraged and don't know what else to do. Feel like I've wasted a lot of time becoming a nurse. Is there any way a person like me can stand out among a sea of younger nurses?

I know I need to be talking to you 6 years ago, but the very best way to get a job as a new grad RN in a hospital is to develop a relationship with the hospital of your choice well before you graduate.

For me, that meant toiling as a CNA in a really poor nursing home for two years, then a home health aide for a hospital, then an aide on a med surg floor.

I was 43 when I got my first hospital job.

noahsmama · Oct 8, 2011

I got a hospital job as a 49 year old new grad with no prior health care experience, and a classmate got hired as a 52 year old new grad with no prior health care experience. That was 3 years ago, and the market has gotten somewhat tighter since then, but it's tighter for everyone. I agree with others that your age is more likely a plus than a minus. Just keep trying -- good luck!!!

RW23RN, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

Persistance is key-I waited 3 months for my last job and bugged them with phone calls weekly til I got an interview. If your job market is saturated locally, maybe consider commuting to get some experience somewhere further away???

honeykrown, MSN, NP · Oct 8, 2011

had a 37yr old that was recently hired. just got his BSN april this year. he had to relocate here though because the area he lived was saturated. hes doing just fine and moving well with the 20 something yrs old(s). maybe your area is saturated as i dont believe age has anything to do with it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

Depending on where you are located, nursing jobs are very hard to find. Click on some of the links below to read posts and discussions about new grads from all over the country who are unemployed. Some are in your age group, some are older, and many are younger. Nursing is not the recession-proof job that people make it out to be.

New Grad, No Job experience, How to find a job

New grad RN miami - anyone hiring?

1+ year of experience and can't find a new job??

Is it common, to not find a job?

New grad Nurse frustrated... discouraged... I'm sure you've heard it before!

Jobless in Portland

New Grad needs help finding a job..any tips??

STILL can't get a job after being licensed for 1 year!!

New grad with no job? Let our voices be heard!

I need HELP with finding a job in Raleigh, NC!!!!

New grad getting frustrated looking for a job in phoenix, az!!

Does anyone know where a new grad can find work?

Help! I can't find a job at a hospital!

BSN, New Grad in Cincinnati, Summa cum laud, volunteer nurse--NO JOB!!

A poll for the unemployed Nurse

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

YOU'RE ONLY 36!!!!!!! THAT'S NOT OLD! The advantage to being 36 is you will be viewed as maturer than someone in their 20s but chances of you being discriminated against because of your age is slim to none (IMO). The job market is slim right now, I am working part time in a hospital right now, because I could not get a full time job. I figured I would get my foot in the door. Just keep trying, I wish you much luck!!!

eyeball · Oct 8, 2011

I agree, it isn't your age but a very tight market. One piece of advice someone shared with me not too long ago: 75% of jobs are gotten through networking. So, think about who you know who might have some position in health care who may be able to forward your resume, put in a good word for you at a hospital. It may be a friend of a friend of a friend but sit down right now and comb your brain for who these people might be. Then contact them! Also, spread the word amongst your people that you are actively job hunting and if they hear of anything, glean anything in their travels, to let you know. Best of luck!!!!!!

Biffbradford · Oct 8, 2011

Like already mentioned, it's not you, it's the economy. I graduated nursing school at age 37 and was hired right out of school into a CVICU. Now, I'm 51 , have a ton of experience, and can't BUY a position in ANY hospital. Younger is cheaper and that's who they're hiring (I guess).