"Mature" graduates finding employment

[zbb13]

Of all the nursing graduates you know who have found employment as nurses in hospitals the last few years, how many of them have been "mature" students? There are so many second career students in Nursing programs these days, but what are their chances of finding jobs after graduation compared to the younger set? Of each one who found employment within a reasonable amount of time (within a few months), what was their approx. age?

Is being more "mature" an advantage to finding employment? Or a disadvantage? Are hospitals hiring new nurses who are over 40? Thanks

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Age discrimination does happen, but not out in the open. My former nurse manager made a statement to me nearly three years ago. Keep in mind that she was in her forties when she spoke these words.

I asked, "Why don't you guys like to hire older nurses?"

She responded, "Older nurses can be argumentative, set in their ways, and unreceptive to feedback. We love younger nurses because they're more receptive, open to change, and follow directives better."

This particular workplace did hire older nurses, but they were usually paid a dollar less per hour than their younger counterparts with less experience. The rationale for the lower pay was, "They'll accept the pay because they have more difficulty finding work."

Wow. An employer with a documented record of unequal pay without a clear rationale behind it, and a person in management openly willing to go on record as actively discriminating against a group for which there is a recognized legal definition (age discrimination).

I hope someone gave the EEOC a heads up. They like to have something to do every now & then.

[Baubo516, RN]

This particular workplace did hire older nurses, but they were usually paid a dollar less per hour than their younger counterparts with less experience. The rationale for the lower pay was, "They'll accept the pay because they have more difficulty finding work."

Whoa! Isn't that illegal???

[Baubo516, RN]

there are three ways to cope in times

of crisis: leave the environment, change the environment,

or change your attitude.

i like this quote, cheyfire! :)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Whoa! Isn't that illegal???

No, it is not illegal.

Nonunion employees can be paid very different rates to do the exact same job. Wages are very negotiable at places of employment that have not been unionized, believe it or not. Workplaces and hiring managers love it when a potential applicant accepts the first pay rate that is thrown at them without even attempting to negotiate the wage upward.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

No, it is not illegal.

Nonunion employees can be paid very different rates to do the exact same job. Wages are very negotiable at places of employment that have not been unionized, believe it or not. Workplaces and hiring managers love it when a potential applicant accepts the first pay rate that is thrown at them without even attempting to negotiate the wage upward.

However, it is illegal when it can be established that a particular, legally-protected group is receiving unequal treatment.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Whoa! Isn't that illegal???

Sounds like a rumor to me.

We had the same crap going around at our facility until management finally sent an e-mail out to nip it in the bud.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

No, it is not illegal.

Nonunion employees can be paid very different rates to do the exact same job. Wages are very negotiable at places of employment that have not been unionized, believe it or not. Workplaces and hiring managers love it when a potential applicant accepts the first pay rate that is thrown at them without even attempting to negotiate the wage upward.

Not quite.

If, let's say, an employee files a complaint with the EEOC and they subpoena payroll records.

If you can PROVE that nurses of a legally protected class (over 42), with let's say, an average of 10 years of experience are getting paid less than nurses that are in their mid-20's with let's say, an average of less than 5 years of experience....then that equals age discrimination.

Union or not.

Individually, you are PARTIALLY correct in the respect that HR has the right to cut whatever deal they can with each individual applicant, but they need to be very, very careful of the pattern of payroll, should the records ever be laid out on a spreadsheet...b/c that could paint a very different picture.

It is for this same reason that they simply don't terminate nurses in at-will states when they reach their 50's in order to prevent payout on pensions, etc. Because even in an at-will state, if they show a pattern of this, an older employee has excellent grounds for a lawsuit.

[zbb13]

Thanks for all the info. I am really concerned about the reality today (I know a few years ago a new graduate could pick and choose-I wish it was true today). With nursing students having so much difficulty finding jobs after they graduate, I was wondering how the mature students fared in comparison to the younger ones.

[BrazilianTeresa]

I am glad to hear that "mature" nurses are getting chances out there. I just turned 51, 4 years as a RN in a skilled nursing facility, been a CNA before, never got a single chance for a interview in a hospital all these years. Tried more than 100 times...still trying. Have a good education, been employee of the month many times, was valedictoriam, resumee was done professionaly, all that jazz... and nothing!

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

BrazilianTeresa, where are you though? Big cities and certain states, such as California, New York, Illinois, etc. are hard to find employment in generally. It has nothing to do with age, amount of experience, grades, etc.

[BrazilianTeresa]

I am in NW, "wich." To be more specific, in Vancouver-WA. Another down factor for me is that my experience is in Skilled nusing facilities. But I tend to believe my lack of chances is age related, because as I said, coleagues with the same experience and educational level are getting the interviews/positions... sometimes even with less experience. Plus, I speak 3 different languages, and you would think this a desirable abiltiy in a hospital.... Thanks for your imput. :)

[GraduateRN2016, BSN]

Can't believe your mother could say that. That's shallow minded if anything she should be congratulating older people for going back to school. No one can take another persons' job. If they like you and God wants you there it will be yours. I graduated with my BSN, passed nclex with 75 questions first attempt at the age of 48. So there, it's hard work, not a disgrace. People should stop this discrimination thing and just live, laugh and love. She's not teaching you the right thing.