Older nurses still want to work!

Nurses Career Support

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I am a nurse moving toward "retirement age" but more than willing and able to work full-time.

I left a full-time position almost a year ago due to needing to finalize issues with my parents trust and real estate. I have been applying to hospitals for a med/surg nursing position for 6 months and have had three interviews. I have a very good work ethic and am able to perform nursing duties without accomodation. I feel that my age is hindering my ability to get a new job. That frustrates me but appears to be the fact.

What I really want to know is what type of facility should I apply to that considers older nurses still viable contributors to the medical team?

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I have noticed that older nurses seem to have a better time of it at facilities where they are already a known factor. In other words, they are able to keep a job that they already have. Getting a job with a new employer is a totally different matter.

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I see that. Had I known that employers discriminate against older nurses I would have kept my job and worked through my issues on my time off. Well, thank you for your feedback.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Ageism is alive and well in Nursing, unfortunately. I think it may show up in other occupations as well, but Nursing is all I've done for 36 years, so it's the one I know.

However, there are specialties in Nursing that are less ageist than others. Hospitals are the worst. You have too much experience, and they can't get away with paying you next to nothing.

Outpatient clinics and Hospice positions seem to appreciate experience.

You may have to think outside your comfort zone, and there have been several informative threads about this very topic.

Don't sell yourself short. If hospitals don't want you anymore, it's their loss.

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Thank you for your comment. I have considered Hospice as I have some experience in that area.

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I am in a very similar situation.....mid forties and second career. Have been trying since I passed the boards in July and graduated this May. I have had several interviews but I'm always past over for someone younger or that "knows someone". I am really losing hope and getting very discouraged. So much rejection in just a few months is getting harder and harder to endure and overcome. I wish I had some advice, but just know that you're not alone.

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Yes, our situations are similar. I was a medical assistant working in a hospital while going to nursing school. I think that may be why I was able to get a nursing position after graduation.

Even though we are what they consider "older" , I think we are wiser and more focused on the jobs duties and responsibilities.

I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this; I know how hard you worked to achieve your degree.

I wish you luck.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Yes, our situations are similar. I was a medical assistant working in a hospital while going to nursing school. I think that may be why I was able to get a nursing position after graduation.

Even though we are what they consider "older" , I think we are wiser and more focused on the jobs duties and responsibilities.

I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this; I know how hard you worked to achieve your degree.

I wish you luck.

That may be your very problem. Your former employer knows you aren't more focused on the job's duties and responsibilities. You left to take care of your parents' financial issues -- something that most people would have sucked up and done on their own time. I took care of my parents as well -- taking four days off in a row every three weeks to fly 1000 miles and deal with their issues. This went on for a year. I was plenty burned out and exhausted, but I kept my job, took care of my parents and resolved their issues.

I keep having to take time off due to medical issues, and my manager keeps taking me back every time. When I expressed my gratitude, she said "We know you'll work hard to get better and you'll be back here working hard. Some of these other people quit for some pretty iffy reasons and then want to come back -- I'm not taking them back because who knows how long it will be until they find some other excuse to want to quit? Two weeks notice before taking off isn't enough for me to hire someone and get them up to speed to replace them, and I have enough problems staffing this unit without the revolving door."

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I actually have been working as a PCT in a hospital oncology center but its' outpatient. I also was a CMA up until my certification ended this August. I didn't recertify since I figured I'd be working as an RN by now. The unit where I work won't hire new grads. They require at least 1 full year of inpatient experience. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a position inpatient where I work now. The hospital is not that big and the majority of new grad RNs have been techs on the unit where they get hired. My boss had said she would have definitely hired me if they didn't have that experience requirement. At least you do have nursing experience, so that should definitely be in your favor. Don't let what others say discourage you. Just focus on all the great qualities you have as a nurse and how your passion and experience make you the best candidate. I hope you find something that you enjoy and uses your many talents!

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I too am an older nurse. I worked at a facility where employees who had more than 25 years with the company were down-sized. Although I had excellent job reviews and great references, I had trouble getting a new job. Finally, I accepted a position at a long-term care facility, which was very strenuous. I worked as charge with one LPN and four CNAs for 40 residents for half the shift and only one CNA for the remainder of the shift. I was afraid that something serious was going to happen. Finally, one shift after four resident falls, I decided to resign. I then accepted a position as a travel/contract nurse. Even though this was out of my comfort zone, it was the best decision for me. I only accept assignments that I truly feel comfortable with and I get to see the world. I am currently in Alaska working as a case manager. I have also worked in multiple cities in the United States, but my favorite was as a school nurse and English teacher in Quito Ecuador.

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That may be your very problem. Your former employer knows you aren't more focused on the job's duties and responsibilities. You left to take care of your parents' financial issues -- something that most people would have sucked up and done on their own time. I took care of my parents as well -- taking four days off in a row every three weeks to fly 1000 miles and deal with their issues. This went on for a year. I was plenty burned out and exhausted, but I kept my job, took care of my parents and resolved their issues.

I keep having to take time off due to medical issues, and my manager keeps taking me back every time. When I expressed my gratitude, she said "We know you'll work hard to get better and you'll be back here working hard. Some of these other people quit for some pretty iffy reasons and then want to come back -- I'm not taking them back because who knows how long it will be until they find some other excuse to want to quit? Two weeks notice before taking off isn't enough for me to hire someone and get them up to speed to replace them, and I have enough problems staffing this unit without the revolving door."

Wow, Ruby I am saddened by this response. Doesn't sound very supportive.

CAB? I hope I don't get there. Seems to me we could/should be more supportive of our fellows. Nobody else is. Not the hospitals, the healthcare facilities with multi-layered management getting annual raises and bonuses while cutting our time and increasing our patient load. Taking a few months of for personal reasons whatever they are, should not be a factor when an employee has been solid, honorable, hard-working. And, no training as they already know the facility. Their loss I guess.

OP, I wish you the best of luck in finding a new work home. Yes home, that is where most of us spend the majority of our waking hours.

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Yes, our situations are similar. I was a medical assistant working in a hospital while going to nursing school. I think that may be why I was able to get a nursing position after graduation.

Even though we are what they consider "older" , I think we are wiser and more focused on the jobs duties and responsibilities.

I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this; I know how hard you worked to achieve your degree.

I wish you luck.

Forties is young. I know of 3 nurses who worked full time into their mid eighties.
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