LPN Jobs for New Older Nurse?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2007

I am in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and I am employed at a skilled nursing facility that employs many middle-aged and older nurses. My workplace cannot afford to turn away nurses based on older age, because they need to keep the place staffed regardless of the age of the nurse.

One of my coworkers, a 50 year old woman, states that it is slightly harder to land exciting opportunities once nurses reach her age. However, middle-aged nurses in my area have absolutely no problems landing jobs in long term care, home health, hospice, and a few other specialties.

catlvr · Oct 24, 2007

I am a late 50s year old soon to be LPN and was wondering if anyone has any advice on the job market??? I live in Nashville, Tennesse. I don't have any nursing experience prior to entering LPN school ~ I was in finance. I am concerned now about being employed at my age even though I am a very active and healthy middle ager. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

I don't have any advice for you, but have to say that your post made my day. I love to hear of someone who reached a goal, esp. at an age when so many other people would have told you that it was a waste of time.

Kudos to you, and best of luck in your career!!

e

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2007

Good luck to you!

soiwanttobeanurse · Oct 24, 2007

I am soon to be 55. Just finished LPN last summer. I have had offers from many places. I am working where I was a CNA at. Long Term Care. Good Luck in your new adventure and don't worry about the offers.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 25, 2007

Maybe a clinic may be the place for you. You may not be on your feet the same way that it can be on the LTC or hospital units. I hear that in other areas, they are not paid as well, though. Good luck!

frodo · Oct 27, 2007

I am 53 soon to be 54, working at community hospital medical floor, 11-7. have been there 5 yearsplus, I think you would do well, wherever you land. Seems that we are hiring most older nurses with less worries with child care, etc.

deedee1245 · Oct 27, 2007

My problem with being a new nurse @ fifty is I'm already beginning to feel burned out, after only 5 months on the job. Can anyone give me any advice on how to get a handle on this?

frodo · Oct 28, 2007

dedee, i would think that you need time foryourself. make sure you take time for something enjoyable every couple of days. the first year is a blur to me, keep the faith andhold on, things do get better. best of luck!

DTC · Oct 30, 2007

:welcome: Congrats on your dedication to obtaining your LPN as a "non-traditional" student! I graduated LPN school at 52 and live in Mississippi and was morbidly obese. Getting a job was a breeze, but between hating the jobs and feeling like I was gonna die after each shift, I made some life changes. I had a lap band, have so far lost 65 pounds and have a job I love. I"ve never felt discriminated against for my age nor my weight. While I graduated in the top 2% of my class,,I think they're so desperate for nurses having a pulse and not being a convicted felon are the only requirements,,lol

I like ALF because, 1) It's not as hard, physically,,2) The pay was the same as at a nursing home for the same shifts, 3) I love interacting with seniors,,I come away each day with a profound appreciation of life, and 4) Less stress. Nothing in life is constant but change. I'll go where I feel my calling leads me. Right now,,I see ALF as a long-term position. Don't allow yourself to get spooked if you go through a few jobs before finding your niche'. The world is your oyster! :balloons:

baronessjrk · Oct 31, 2007

Great to hear you're planning on becoming an LPN!!! I started school when I was 41, finished up, got a job right away. Now, at 57, I've started with Excelsior for my RN. When you get out there you will see how thrilled employers are to hire the older person today. We work harder, want to do the best job we can, show up to work all the time--don't call off because of children problems, or just because we have a headache--and we're not there just looking for how much we'll get out of it, but what we can put in. I never had a problem getting a job. Right now I work at a hospital in the surgical progessive care unit, and love it, and, you know, one thing that has been brought to the attention of my manager is that I'm always willing to help others. She's told me this. And that's just not me, I really think it has to do with our age. I'm one of two LPN's on our floor and I have new nurses and others filling in from other floors - RN's by the way -coming to me for help with a patient, asking questions. I really believe it has to do with our age, and the way we were brought up to put in to what we do, not just expect what we will get from what we do.

Good Luck! Keep going. And in the nursing field you should have no problem finding a job!

frodo · Nov 2, 2007

DTC, may i ask what alf is? sorry, i am weary and can't think what it is. thank you!:balloons: