TOO OLD

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

Why do you think that your lack of success is due to age?

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

It might not be so much as the age as it is the years of experience. The more experience you have, it usually comes with higher pay. In this economy employers may be able to find someone just as qualified, but with less experience and thus less money out of their pocket.

Biffbradford · Jun 22, 2011

So, we should lie on our applications. Right?

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

So, we should lie on our applications. Right?

I'm just offering a possibility of what the problem could be, not solving it. If this is what is happening then there is no getting around it. In this market the employers have the advantage and not the other way around. Look at it from the hospital's perspective. If you have 5 qualified applicants going after the same job, they are more than likely going to go with the more cost effective choice. The hospital is a business and unfortunately sometimes it comes down to the bottom line.

kcmylorn · Jun 22, 2011

What about us 55 yr olds with 30 years under our belt- no one wants to employ us. And I'll ask the question again- what are we supposed to do from now (55) until 62. And when we get to 62 if these children making the laws happen today get their way- social security will not be there for us to live on for us "old bitter nurses"( as we are called), to get out of your way. Are all you young inexperienced and wet behind the ears, not competent on your own nurses going to pay our mortages, food and utitility bills?? What the he** do we do to support our selves??

I think this new found "business"philosophy kind of goes against with all this rah rah crap about "aging in place" theory. Seems to me like it's more on the lines of euthanasia. Don't give people over 50 a job, then they can't eat, can't afford health insurance, so they end up dying. I guess the aging in place is for the 30 yr old of this country!! I don't think these "latch key kid" gen X'ers stopped to think beyond their own noses. The world started to fall apart when they came into power!! They have improved nothing- not even for themselves or the generations after them. Their too busy posting their dinky's on facebook.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

So, we should lie on our applications. Right?

It is against the law in any state to ask age on a job application. Just sayin ...

violin9 · Jun 22, 2011

How about me? If I am accepted for the fall, I will be entering nursing school at the age of 55? Is that crazy? Should I reconsider? Thoughts?

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

Is anyone out there as po'd as i am, trying to switch to critical care, keep getting blocked, is 46 considered ancient for and RN, I have 13 years under my belt, i can still run circles with the 20somethings. why is noone giving me a chance? I STILL HAVE ALOT TO GIVE!!

There just isn't enough information here to make an assumption that it has to do with your age.

kcmylorn · Jun 22, 2011

I looks as if today they are going to raise the income level requirenemnt for medicAID eligibility. I hope they do. I'll be one of the first ones in linefor EVERY free bee there is.And let the younger nursing workforce foot the bill! They want it so bad- let them have it!! I wounder how long it will take them to figure out they are busting their young butts for the deductions in their their paycheck to support a large group people (baby boomers) on welfare.( food stamps, free medical care and a month check for doing nothing- where do I sign up kids- better yet, you keep working- I'l find it!!

Trauma Columnist · Jun 22, 2011

I just don't see nurses in their 40's not being given the job because of their age.

What I see is that those of us nurses that have been around for awhile (and I'm in my 50's):

1. We have to remain current - that means by formal or informal means.

2. We have to be willing to adapt to change: not continually state "well, we used to do it this way and it worked just fine."

3. Be encouraging to younger or newer nurses.

4. Keep up on technology. Learn all the computer programs needed at your job.

5. The kiss of death to a career (at any age) is to say "oh gosh, I'm too old to learn that."

nola1202 · Jun 22, 2011

Well I was sort of thinking, if I had been the unit coordinator in my late 20's early 30's, I probably would be more likely to hire the younger candidate. Not as a deliberate thing, but I would have been able to relate more to them, especially a new grad or one with 1-2 years of med-surg, looking to change. At the time 50 sounded like old age and 20 years of experience, I would have thought a know it all attitude would come with it. I'm not at all a know it all, and I too wish I could have a chance to learn ICU, it's one of my regrets. I also have been out of acute care in Home Health for the last year and a half, Medical rehab before that. People tend to think Home Health Nurses just hold hands, and do paperwork, but it can be plenty hairy and takes some awesome time and stress managment skills. It's made me more confident and creative, because there just aren't the same resources there are in the Hospital. Oh well, I can't control the world or who selects me to interview for a job. (even though I know I could learn it, do it...blah, blah, blah