Why Can't I Get a Job?

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I performed very well in acute care in a fast paced prompt admissions/ER in 2014( I left with a letter of recommendation and was asked to stay but it was a seasonal job in Florida) and I have only recently left my HHC position when they decided to hire a manager with less experience and age, and then asked me to help train her. I decided I was not valued so I resigned. The director confided to me that she felt I was wasting my talent there and gave me an excellent letter of referral. My intention was to get out of HHC so that I could advance my career in a larger setting. I endeavored to achieve my BSN and then the MSN in education because I truly enjoyed the teaching and training that I performed while in that position. I have applied to many different jobs, in many different institutions. Unfortunately, No opportunity has been given for me to actually show people what I can do. Every place of employment has given great referrals and excellent references. It is just that I can't get an offer right now for some reason. I have talked to many people in and out of healthcare and several managers in healthcare for advice and mentoring. No one seems to be able to identify what the issue is. After eliminating everything we can think of as a possible reason, we end up with ageism.

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
My experience over 34 years of nursing includes acute care, long term care, home care, and administration(which included QI, IC, recruitment and training amongst the many other things I was solely responsible for). As you can see I am highly skilled and educated and there isn't anything I cannot do if a hospital is willing to do some orientation.

I don't think it's a question of whether you *could* but rather just how long you *would*. It likely also includes elements of just how efficient you would be at various roles compared to other applicants who might not have the breadth of experience but may have current experience specific to the role. You're also competing against internal applicants who are well-known to the institution and who are intimately familiar with its culture, policies, staff, and patients. That's not always a good thing but often is a key factor in hiring decisions.

I'm not saying that you might not be facing blatant ageism but it's probably not that simple.

You could try another agency or travelled gig.

I had a bedside job from Hell last year. I am an old looking (it is hereditary) fluffy, early 50's lady. I did not get a couple of jobs I felt like I was well qualified for. I went on an interview for nursing instructor. I knew I wouldn't get it, but I did! You just never know. You have to be open and think outside the box. What about something like nurse trainer for products (bed, wound care, mobility equipment)?

I felt very depressed and can relate to your situation! Although I did not get a job which is top dollar, it has nice benefits and it is a new adventure.

If I had gotten one of those other same type of jobs, I realize now that I would have been going back to something I had not been totally happy with. Maybe that came through as I answered the interview questions? The same ones for three jobs at two different employers. I tried to use different examples for each interview, but did not hit the mark! My last unsuccessful interview was over the phone. I remember thinking I did not like the interviewers attitude. They seemed very cold. It was mutual they did not call back! Though I wanted a job and felt a bit disappointed , I know it was for the best. I actually knew it then!

I also had an all day interview I thought I aced. Really I do not know what happened there. Some people I used to work with had gone there under unpleasant circumstances. Did they complain about me? Maybe, but would it have been good to work with them again? Probably not!

The people at the college interview did not ask the same questions. Most of the focus was on teaching a sample topic. I felt more at ease doing public speaking than trying to psych out what answer they wanted to some canned questions.

I wish you the best. You can make a connection and hopefully find a good fit! There are also things like school nursing and assisted senior living where you can often get your foot in the door prn to start. Maybe reheorifice with a friend?

Yeah, I'm not seeing the ageism thing where I am at either. I left nursing to raise my children, was out for a long time. I would come on here and read page after page by people who said I would NEVER get hired if I went back. I went back and refreshed my RN degree and didn't lack one bit for job offers. ~but I was willing to do a lot of things other people aren't. I knew if I was willing to work eventually I could get the better jobs.

I'm 54 and have grey hair, they know me when they see me that I'm past 20. It's all in the attitude I think.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Are you an APRN? Have you considered outpt practices? SNF?

I don't know what your specialty is, but if you have expertise in elder care, it seems there are a lot of opportunities.

My mother has people come to care for her when I am working or otherwise not available. Some are quite good. With many, esp. new caregivers, there are a lot of gaps. What about developing a "course" for lay caregivers. Many of these people are not CNAs. They get some rudimentary training from their company, but not from a nurse. A lot of investors buy these Elder care businesses with no healthcare or elder care background.

You could offer some free courses to let them see what they are missing! It sounds crazy, but the people who watch my mother often say, "I wish someone had shown me how to do that or that makes it easier, etc." heck you could even do some YouTube videos on lifting or bathing, etc. I have an OB background so I have no training in this area. It is frustrating when elder caregivers are learning about the elderly from me and my 30+year old nursing degree. You may have the latest greatest.

If you are in a rural area, there are are usually less opportunities for education but a great need.

I know this may sound like a crazy idea, but I think the right person could make this type of thing very successful. Even if you made no money, the good reviews you got could help get you another position. There are lots of churches who have health visitors. They might be a good lace to start.

Ageism is alive and well.

What I don't understand is why employers pass on people in their fifties. They could potentially work a good 10 years before retirement. How many of those 20-something's do employers seriously think will be there 10 years from now? Who sticks with a job that long this day and age?

Specializes in Medical Writer, Licensed Teacher & Nurse, BA Psych.

You want a job in a hospital doing direct patient care? Why? Given your background, and especially your education, many employers would consider you to be overqualified. In the past when I have applied for direct care positions (I only did this because I needed the money), I had more than a few recruiters, managers and employers tell me something like, "I am worried, given your background and education, that you'd be bored with this job," or "Given your background and education, why are you applying for this job? I wonder if this is really a fit for you."

They think you are just taking the job until something better comes along.

If you are 57 and overweight you already understand why you can't get a job. It has nothing to do with leprosy.

Hehe, well, I am 56 and overweight, and I have an excellent job as an NP. Which I can physically do, no problem. No 12 hour shifts on my feet, which I could not do. I couldn't have done it 20 years ago.

My resume makes sense, it adds up. I have been with the same company for 9 years.

So it isn't the age and the weight, it is the unrealistic expectations, the lack of career focus, and the type of job she wants.

Personally, I would hire an experienced baby boomer nurse over a millennial for many reasons.

With all due respect, I consider this comment to be rude, unsubstantiated, and discriminatory. Who says that a Boomer makes a better nurse than a Millennial? First, it is unacceptable to imply this. This is like saying women make better nurses than men, or that doctors are smarter than nurses. I am interested in seeing the evidence that backs this statement, as you claim that there is evidence. Second, the oldest Millennial is in their late 30s (Millennials were both between 1980 and 1995). If the Millennial started nursing school when they were 18, 20 years old, they could feasibly have almost 20 years' experience in nursing. That sounds like a lot of experience to me.

Although the OP lists some of her job experiences, we the readers don't know what sort of jobs she's applying for now. Maybe the hiring managers think she's overly qualified. Maybe they think she won't be able to hack it physically (OP stated she is overweight and unable to work at a fast pace). Maybe they think she's too old, as unfortunate as this sounds. We just don't know. We don't have enough details.

I hear the frustration in both the OP's and Forest2's words about being passed by for jobs, especially with all the experience that they have. I wish ageism didn't exist but it does. I also wish there were a solution to ageism but I don't have one. The world cannot be our oyster forever. I think Nurse Beth gives some good advice to the OP about considering other options other than acute care.

Btw, if it matters, I'm a Gen-Xer.

Many people think I am younger than what I am and it is only after I have gotten jobs that people are surprised that I am the age I am. I had one manager tell me that she thought I was a kid. I am sure this has helped me even though my resume is solid. Age can be a factor but how are you presenting yourself. If you show that you can keep up with the best of them, you may see your situation change.

Typically, we don't get more education for the privilege of being at the bedside, in our twilight years, on our swelling feet, during the graveyard shift, weekends and holidays.

OK, maybe I am being snide.

I am 56 and overweight, and I know I couldn't do any of those things anymore.

I am so thankful that my MSN means I don't have to.

However the OP's situation has nothing to do with age.

Her resume simply doesn't match her unusual job aspirations.

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