Just curious - Age 35+ make it hard to find job?

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I posted this question in Reply to another's post. But thought maybe I'd get more response if I post as a new thread. Rather than get into the lengthy post I previously made....I'll nutshell it here:

Any new RNs age range 35 and up have a hard time getting first RN job due to younger competition? I'm 31 and just starting NS in October. I keep doubting my decision to leave a decent-paying (45+) legal position to change careers into nursing. I really want to. Can't stand my job and there is no future, no real benefits, etc. But I can't help but wonder if it's too late for this?

I'm so excited about nursing school most of the time, but once in a while, I wonder if I'm being a dreamer and unrealistic in my goals.??? :stone

Thanks for your thoughts.

Dana

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I don't think that it should matter how old you are as long as you are qualified for the position. Most places are in need of nurses (regardless of age or other factors). I wish you the best of luck :)

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Hi Dana-Thanks for posting this question to the community. I am curious as well. I am also 31 and leaving a career in "the corporate world" and a company that I have been with for almost 9 years.

I often see cases of ageism in my current field, but I would think the opposite would be true in healthcare. My guess would be that with such a nursing shortage there wouldn't be much discrimination towards people transitioning to another stage in their careers as long as they are qualified and motivated.

Of course I am not a nurse or HR manager, I am looking at this from the most basic macroeconomics view.

Good luck with school Dana :) :balloons:

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

It hasn't been my experience. I'm 38, a recent grad, and I had 3 interviews which resulted in 3 job offers.

No one else in my graduating class who has seriously looked for work has been unsuccessful, and this includes those who are over 50.

Good luck to you. :)

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Hi Dana :)

I was 35 when I received my Associate Degree in Applied Science -- major: nursing (and psychology), and was hired rather quickly. Since that time, I've never had a difficult time landing a job until the past couple of months, but I can't blame it on my age. Sometimes I think "ageism" exist in nursing, and it very well may exist to some extent at some places of hire. There are those times when I blame getting older on not being able to land a job, but then I'm more picky and more demanding today than I was when I was a younger nurse. When I was younger, I could do it all in nursing without blinking -- work the long hours any shift/any weekend.... Today after 18 years as a nurse, I want better for myself. I don't want to buy into the extreme stress and hostile work environments, so I'm taking my sweet time ensuring wherever I go to work next will be a good fit for me. :)

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Specializes in PCCN.

age wasnt a problem for me- I'm 39 and got hired on the spot(not to say they might have been desparate d/t shortage) hehe. I also came from an industrial background of 17 yrs. I see new grads older than me getting hired. I think the age hepls in the pt care dept. Pts think you've been doing this for a long time :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.

Hi,

I'm 44 and was hired. I had 6 interviews before I got the job I wanted. I had to follow up myself. I waited two weeks before calling. When I called, they thought I already had another job!!

My advise is, FOLLOW up. I wanted the job closest to home and I got it!!

Good luck in your studies and remember:

When God leads you to it...He WILL lead you through it!!

_________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen GN

Failure is NOT an option!!

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
It hasn't been my experience. I'm 38, a recent grad, and I had 3 interviews which resulted in 3 job offers.

No one else in my graduating class who has seriously looked for work has been unsuccessful, and this includes those who are over 50.

Good luck to you. :)

Great words of encouragement since you are actually there :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm now almost 47, been a nurse since I was 34 and have never had any problems getting a job. However, I have found that education is a better indicator for obtaining a job, versus age.

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I'm one of those average nurses--I'm 48. I had my job before I graduated, on the unit where I already worked as a UAP. (Interview began: "Well, of course you've got the job..." and I was still a nervous wreck!)

Some of my classmates who waited until graduation to look for a job had to look around a little and maybe settle for shifts other than their first choice, but I haven't heard of anyone having real trouble finding a job, and a number of us were over 40.

Having a job and a track record in a hospital definitely helps. I suppose anyone could have secured a position at the start of their last semester (where I work) but since I was there, I knew about it, and since it was always my intention to stay there, I didn't have to look around a lot.

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I am 42, and I had no problem finding a job. In fact I had-some of you may remember reading it-a dilemma about which job to choose. I don't think-to a point-that age is too much of an issue.

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I am 45, graduated this May, and had 5 interviews resulting in 5 job offers. I held out for the hospital closest (my first choice from the beginning).

I know any of the classmates I graduated with have had no trouble with finding jobs, many over the age of 30.

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