EdithC

I am an Rn in Australia, who is 55,and who has been an Rn since age 47. Age discrimination never occurred to me when I started nursing and I got a graduate program very easily, however now I find it quite difficult to get new jobs or change specialties and I guess it is due to age as well as surplus of nurses. I don't think it helps that nursing industry workforce researchers are always going on about the aging nursing populations and how nurses are retiring at a later age and therefore new grads are not getting positions. Do they say that about accountants or lawyers or other occupations that are not as female dominated. Yes it is very ageist and sexist. Another thing I've noticed that overseas recruited nurses have to be under 45 years of age, so this is sending a message that you have to be young to be a nurse. I have also experienced more rudeness from nurses now, than when I first started, as I am an agency nurse, but I also think it is my age. People are less afraid to bully an older person, unless that older person is in a position of authority. Also a lot of cultures don't have as many older women working, as western culturre, could this be a factor. However I'm sure male nurses suffer ageism too as it appears to be the nature of the industry. Anyway, it is an issue with me, and I don't tolerate any kind of discrimination in the workplace. Older people have just as much right to become nurses as younger people. If you are a nurse for the later period of your life and enjoy it and enjoy the experience of studying then go for it. How many younger nurses become nurses for 10 years and then move onto something else? thousands.

My nursing school.

I am from Australia and am looking for ideas as to how to gain experience in renal dialysis. I know that the best way in Australia would be to get a job on a renal or urology ward and hope that you can eventually transition to dialysis and maybe do a training course held by the hospital. However this is not as easy as it sounds. I have been researching courses and training program's and have found that US has a few practical courses and that UK provides jobs with on the job training. So I have been looking elsewhere, to help me gain skills in this area, and may even relocate for a while. Does anyone have any info or ideas, or have they been in my situation,