New RN BSN over 50 and Can't Get a Job

caliotter3 · Feb 25, 2009

Age discrimination is alive and well, even in nursing, when it comes to being a new grad. You most likely will have to suck it up and go to a LTC facility if you want to work. You also might need to expand your job search area or even relocate. Good luck in landing that first job.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Feb 25, 2009

i know with this ecomony hiring for new grads have decreased. it maybe the ecomony and not your age. my hospital is not hiring at all and no new grads have been hired for awhile. my mother worked as a RN until she was 70 , for 50 years ( God Bless her) . on the floor i work we have 2 nurses that are over 50 and i am almost there (4 years , 3 years in may ).

i think you should take a job where you can get it , obtain some expirence and then apply. don't give up , please you are not out of the game yet. there has got to be something for you. have you tried agencies , hospice, ? please keep us posted o your job search. the people on this site are very supportive and they will help you come up with ideas. take care and i send hugs !!

live4today, RN · Feb 25, 2009

I am over 50 years old and STILL can't get a job in nursing here. After studying for 7 years and spending in excess of 40K needless to say I am very disappointed in myself. I may be wrong but it sure seems like my age. All of my classmate I have spoke with have great jobs and get called for interviews but not me except for 3 interviews of which I got nary a one. When I went to school there was talk of sign on bonus and the great need and now after all the study and expense I am beginning to worry. I am really hurting financially and no job. I am told that not having worked as a student nurse hurts me but my I had to watch my kids while my wife worked and went to school so I simply was not able. I can see nothing else but my age that is the diff and do not know what to do. I had a very decent GPA and belong to Sigma Theta Tau and I guess it does not trump age. Sorry for the poor me but now my wife and kids are suffering financially and I will have to apply for food stamps soon. I simply cannot believe that after all of the study and sacrifice to achieve my goal of a BSN RN that I just got through epoxying my kids tennis shoes for school tomorrow. Some secretary at the last hospital I applied to told me I should go to a nursing home and apply as I could probably relate to the patients. I wish I had known there was such age discrimination! Any ideqas appreciated.

I am so sorry you have had a hard time to date, but let me assure you, you WILL land a great job in nursing, and not necessarily in a nursing home. Do you live near a military installation that has a hospital? If so, apply directly by going straight to the hospital nurse recruiter. No good nurse will be turned away. Also, try the agencies that hire nurses for military and veterans hospitals. If you are not picky about whether you work for the civilian sector or the federal government, then count yourself hired not long after you apply. Now get busy. Times a wasting. :twocents: :up: :yeah:

BRemus · Feb 25, 2009

sorry to hear that you are struggling. I would consider a long term care or home health agency at least to get your feet wet you can always continue looking and applying to hospitals. I am not sure where you live but i wish you luck

MBA2RN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2009

42yo and I think I may be in the same boat. Younger (and female) classmates are getting jobs in a matter of weeks, and I've submitted 100+ apps and only got one interview.

HoosierMale · Feb 25, 2009

42yo and I think I may be in the same boat. Younger (and female) classmates are getting jobs in a matter of weeks, and I've submitted 100+ apps and only got one interview.

Yep, I was in the top of my class, have kick orifice letters of recommendation and get nothing. I dress in suit and tie and am present well with respectful and positive attitude and the worst part is not getting any call back kma nothing.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2009

Yep, I was in the top of my class, have kick orifice letters of recommendation and get nothing. I dress in suit and tie and am present well with respectful and positive attitude and the worst part is not getting any call back kma nothing.

Sent you a private message.

philanurse74 · Feb 25, 2009

I'm sorry, but that remark to look into the nursing homes because you will be able to relate to the patients might be one of the most rude things I have ever heard said to a job applicant. I know someone's going to say I am taking it wrong, and perhaps it was meant differently, but still. RUDE. I wish you lots of luck, and know there is something out there for you.

HoosierMale · Feb 25, 2009

I'm sorry, but that remark to look into the nursing homes because you will be able to relate to the patients might be one of the most rude things I have ever heard said to a job applicant. I know someone's going to say I am taking it wrong, and perhaps it was meant differently, but still. RUDE. I wish you lots of luck, and know there is something out there for you.

I thought the same thing! Am I being overly sensitive or was I just being put down? Rhetorical question and I decided not to let it depress me further but hey, I and my family have spent the last 7 years of my life in school (last 4 full time) studying my hiney off and am depressed to say the least but I think it is probably normal given my circumstance.

Exploring · Feb 25, 2009

See, this situation exactly is my worst fear/nightmare. I have been out of permanent full time work for about three years and have been thinking of attending nursing school; already have a bachelors' and some of the pre-reqs (alTHOUGH, I may need refreshers on some of those, I'm absolutely certain).... but the fact remains, I am closer to 60 than I am to 50 and I am so afraid I will invest the time, money, and energy and still be jobless.

(haven't had health insurance since 2003, good GAWD!!!)

HM2VikingRN, RN · Feb 25, 2009

l would apply to the DOC of your state, BOP and the VA. Search USAJOBS for RN positions. Best of luck....