Older students after graduation

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I see many posts about older nursing students. I don't see much about what happens to these students after graduation. I am preparing for my second career as my kids grow up and leave the house. I do not think my age will be a factor in nursing school but do any of you have a feel for how much of a factor it might be when I start working? Do you see first year older nurses hired along with the younger ones?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTAC, Critical Care.

In short, yup, I've seen them be pretty good nurses. Around here, I don't really see age as a factor in hiring. We've had some local industries in the past several years lay off hundreds. Many of those former workers became nurses and the community was quick to embrace them (some of them actually did better in school than the younger ones since they had a bit more motivation to succeed). Also, I think some patient's are quicker to trust an older nurse than a younger one (they see the older ones as more experienced etc.).

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I was an older student and I currently work in L&D. I did not experience any discrimination due to age that I was aware of. My personal strategy was to maintain a professional attitude during class and clinicals, achieve the highest grades I was capable of achieving, volunteer during down times at clinicals to assist with any task allowed, always show up prepared for the clinical site (ex. endoscopy center clinical I studied this procedure, common diseases, different colon tissues, cells, etc.), and apply for extern programs because they sometimes lead into permenant employment or references.

This was difficult sometimes because of family and work, but it paid off because I had several job offers upon graduation. I will say that I graduated just before the economy made jobs so difficult to find.

Nursing is a wonderful profession and sometimes very frustrating. It isn't perfect, but can be very rewarding. Good luck with your future endeavors.:)

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Old is a subjective term. There are old 50-year-olds and young 50-year-olds. I don't think the latter have any unique trouble (meaning that they struggle to find that first job just like everybody else). The former... probably.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

As an older grad and nurse that has seen older and young new grads I'd say it is very individual. Some are excellent, some not so excellent but I haven't heard about problems getting hired. Good luck.

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I am an older, new nurse.. I think life experience goes along way in both school, and on the job. I was hired on the spot at my first interview by the ADON, (have been told that in her 8 yrs of being there that this has never happened). Still get calls for interviews from places that I sent Resumes to 6 months ago.

I think my Residents and their families assume I have been a nurse longer.

That being said, I never hesitate to go to the RN supervisor and ask questions, or even my experienced CNAs. I learn everyday, and I am pretty sure this will always be the case, as there are so many variables in nursing, I will never learn it all.

Honestly what I have the most problems with is remembering the facility protocals, and all the paper work. If this happens--fill out this-- document it here and here--call this person and that person-- put this form here-- and that form there...... it depends on the situation as to who gets what and where you put it.... You can't put on a band aid without doing 30 munutes of paperwork...:banghead:

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Specializes in ICU.

I am the oldest student in my class, and I have one of the highest GPA's. I have already had an offer of employment when I graduate from a LTC facility where I worked as a CNA before. I met the DON from another LTC facility the other day while I was there visiting a friend. I spoke with her for 5 minutes, and she told me to come back when I graduate and she would love to have me on staff. I am hoping for a job in the hospital, but I don't forsee being unemployed for long no matter where I end up. I think having a positive attitude is the biggest part. On the med-surg floor where I am precepting the nurses told me they had a guy up there last year who was precepting. When the nurses tried to get him to do things he would make comments about how they were just trying to make him do the work they were getting paid for. He really rubbed them all the wrong way, and needless to say he wasn't hired. We were warned, and are fully aware that during clinicals we are being looked at as potential employees, so, if you have a good attitude, are hard working, and eager to learn, I doubt you will have any problems finding employment.

Best of luck

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you have an advantage, in my opinion. you will come across as more mature, more articulated, more professional. BTDT in terms of politics at work. Etc.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
...you will come across as ... more articulated
I can only speak for myself but my middle-age body is dramatically less articulated than it was when I was younger. :D

I am more articulate, however.

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ha! I will be 37 when I graduate- you?

thats what I get for being on allnurses while breastfeeding my baby! hard to type! HA

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
ha! I will be 37 when I graduate- you?

thats what I get for being on allnurses while breastfeeding my baby! hard to type! HA

I was 45 when I graduated last year.... but my joints feel like they're about 70.

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:) Thank you. I know I will be a good candidate with everything I can do anything about (good physical shape, getting experience in the field, good grades, willing to work, attitude, and so on).

Greenykit, I will most likely be in my late 40s when I graduate. I started prereqs a year ago, I've been going slow (two classes at a time) because I am not done with my first career. My younger kids are still in high school, they are independent and capable but still do better with more of my time. My plan is to start nursing school when my youngest is 10th or 11th grade. I'm deliberating about which year to apply. I'm not sure whether to allow time for Pathophysiology and General Pharmacology (perhaps adding a second class each term such as logic/critical thinking or Spanish) and so have one more year of part time school and part time cna experience or start NS with only the required prereqs (lol, plus all the unapplicable credits from 25 years ago).

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