Older applicants having an advantage?

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

Hardly, in general younger is better unless there is a skill set involved at a speciality level. Also I don't see much of a stretch of being considered old if over 30 to 35 in the grand scheme of adulthood.

caliotter3 · Mar 10, 2012

When I had more than a year of experience, I had interviewers bring up the subject of my age during job interviews. Since I got interviews here and there, can't say one way or the other, but it was apparent that they expected someone my age to have more and better experience. Since age is a protected class, I also found it interesting that they were confident enough to blatantly break the law in that respect.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

Because it was a round of second interviews, it was obvious who was a little older, but I am wondering if it is the extra, previous education that helped rather than the age. I think this particular hospital is concerned about the younger ones geting their year of experience and then moving on the bigger and better (?) things. I plan on staying there.

I just thought it was odd that the older students were the ones that got seconds. I know the others that interviewed are going to be great nurses, I was just curious.

I do think there is a difference in maturity (I know this is a generalization and obviously not across the board) between someone who is 25 and 35.

Biffbradford · Mar 10, 2012

It is so hard to generalize about what recruiters are looking for. It really comes down to the company's business plan and how they feel they can get the biggest bang for their buck. If you're 24, 44, or 64, try to show them how you stand apart from the crowd. Hopefully sooner than later, you'll find a good match!

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

I feel that just the fact that I got a second interview, THAT was an accomplishment. After trying for 2 years to get a job as a teacher and having 0/30+ interviews, it felt good.

TexasDew · Mar 10, 2012

I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with the older people in their class getting the interviews?
I am set to graduate in May and one of our community hospitals came to recruit at our school. A bunch of us applied. About 10 people got interviews, and then 5 were called for second interviews. I think all of them are over the age of 30 (we have a mixed class of over 35 and under). I was one of the lucky ones that got a second interview. The manager that I interviewed with said something about all of us having degrees in other fields.
I am excited I got the chance. I am in an ADN program in the same job market as Duke and Chapel Hill, which means if you don't have a BSN, the job opportunities are not great.

You might try some areas outside of the your immediate area...here in the Dallas area there are lots of jobs for new grads old grads adns and bsns . Yes I would love to stay where my family and friends were but to get a job and get the experience to be able to work where I wanted I would try spreading my wings.

0402 · Mar 10, 2012

I was 32 when I graduated from NS. I had a previous degree, as well as 8 yrs of professional experience (in a totally different field, though). My age didn't matter, per se, but having work experience did make a difference. I was told by more than on HR person that my previous job is a big thing that caught their eye, but this was only for new grad jobs. When applying for jobs, after having RN experience, things like precepting new grads and speaking another language (along with the standard RN experience received on a my previous unit) were the things that stood out.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

since one of my other degrees is in teaching and I am interested in precepting new grads eventually (they are building that program at the hosp. I interviewed at) I am hoping this is THE job. My plan is not to change jobs unless we move.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

I also saw a trend where the second-career types seemed to get hired on faster than first-time grads. I think maturity and having already worked one career played a part, but not necessarily directly? Like...if you actually talked to them, they were overwhelmingly more likely to have understood the connection between the need to network while in school to get a job after school.

macgirl · Mar 11, 2012

I too live in NC. At UNC and other hospital you have an advantage being younger. At other smaller hospitals an older age can be an advantage. Really I think it may just comes down to who is doing the hiring, the department and the hospital. With older you get a better work ethic (less likely to job hop) and less likely to miss work from parting, and having babies and getting married and more maturity ect. With the young you get enthuasiasm, energy (think can work extra hours, longer days without dropping dead) and if they stay long term employee, and they are less likly to have an attitude and bad habits.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

I also saw a trend where the second-career types seemed to get hired on faster than first-time grads. I think maturity and having already worked one career played a part, but not necessarily directly? Like...if you actually talked to them, they were overwhelmingly more likely to have understood the connection between the need to network while in school to get a job after school.

For me, it was direct connection to getting the job. The NM told me so!

In addition, my classmates that got interviews quickly did a lot of networking. The first wave of classmates to get interviews had worked their contacts. I was one of them.