57 and need to start over YET AGAIN!

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

My advice is to apply any and everywhere. I know that ageism exist however,it is not a reason to give up hope. Update your resume and start applying to these places in person. I'm sure something open up. What about school nursing, teaching CNAs, working in an outpatient clinic. There are many options.

Talon · Mar 5, 2013

OP--no good advice, but know that you are not alone. I'm in the same boat, in my late 50's. No responses to resumes, a few interviews which never go anywhere. I just keep trying, and apply to every position for which I have even the smallest amount of experience. HR isn't stupid and they can piece together experience and education and get an age approximate of the applicant. It isn't fair, it's how it is. Best of luck in your job search and keep us on AN posted.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 5, 2013

Unfortunately, I can provide only sympathy and not advice.

Despite the numerous nondiscrimination regulations and laws, I believe that ageism is quite widespread in the workplace and epidemic in nursing. While I am not sure why employers feel that older workers are less desirable, it cannot be simple co-incidence that so many of us of of a certain age have great difficulty finding employment. Such discrimination is hard to detect and even harder to eliminate when employers can easily and quite accurately deduce your approximate age from the information in resumes and/or required on job applications.

Best of luck in your job search.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

As a radiology nurse aren't some of your skills transferable? IV Meds, IV starts, ACLS are all important skills for any position.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 5, 2013

Go back to school? The blunt fact is that for most of us, we will be working until we are 70 and maybe beyond. Going back to school at 57 doesnt sound so off the wall.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

Yes, ageism is alive and well. I am 56 with years of varied hospital experience, but I am not getting responses to my applications, either. I have noticed a trend in my hospital (and area in general) of hiring very young, inexperienced nurses. I mean "new grads." There are some efforts underway at my current facility to "get rid of" a few of the older nurses~ these nurses are in their late 50's to early 60's. They are using bogus excuses, too.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

Yep. I think in our 50's it becomes much harder. Network if you can.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

I'm in the same boat......they don't want experienced RN's in their 50's......we cost money and we don't put up with their bad behavior that is so rampant these days. Look to LTAC'S long term acute care facilities. Maybe phone triage. I have tried them all to no avail. try home health I know a friend that after any dead ends got some home health work.

I can only empathize....what trauma says is right....go back to school?

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

Esme,

Did you eventually find somethign?

Marshall1 · Mar 5, 2013

I'm sorry you are facing this...I can only offer this: Home health, hospice, Md offices, health department, jobs sites, and don't rule out the hospitals around you - not every job is shift work or on the floor, look for case management and since you have radiology skills perhaps look to that dept. I would apply to any job that is close to what you want - even if it's not specifically for an RN. Also, MD offices do not always advertise in the paper so check the job sites or contact the offices directly. School nursing is another option, look for positions on your states job listings and also http://www.usajobs.gov. Also, agency may be another way to go - private duty is huge in my area through agencies, especially for peds and like others have said..network, network, network. I know..its depressing and exhausting but if you have to work and can't draw unemployment then you are limited in options..the good thing is you have approx. 9 months so there is time.

Good luck -

cienurse · Mar 5, 2013

I hear you! Unfortunately, nursing homes are no longer cushy little jobs pushing a med cart and are really considered a specialty. It takes a long time to orient even an experienced nurse to all the paper compliance, regulations, and skilled documentation required. The nurse/patient ratio is also 1:16 or more on days and even more on 3-11 and nights. When I tell that to prospective candidates who have no LTC experience, they run screaming from the front door. I am 56 years old myself and the reason why I don't leave the nursing home is because I know I wouldn't be hired in any other specialty-mostly due to age. Unfortunate fact of life, but the one thing I DID do was take a legal nurse consulting course and now I have built up a clientele of attorneys who utilize me and my expertise in LTC to review cases. Not enough income to support my lifestyle but it pays for 4 vacations a year plus some nice little extras once in a while. Lots of online courses and there IS a call for nurses with your expertise. Also look into joining your local chapter of AALNC and network with other nurses who are practicing legal nurse consultants. That's how I got started. Good luck and let us know how you make out!