TOO OLD

kcmylorn · Jun 22, 2011

I think it is an age discrimination. These 'hiring powers that be' take one look at us over 50's( yes they can figure about how old we are from our job applications- list of experience and other ways, some apps ask for SS#'s) and ASSume we have limited or no computer skills, that we are not read up on what's going on in nursing and that we are NOT capable of learning.

So we are there for written off by their ASSumptions- which now a days , seems to be the going thing to do- ASSume.

I have noticed when I am in a conversation with one of these "younger"nurses- I can start to say something and I am cut off, with the topic changed before I even have a chance to finish. The conversation becomes all about them- forget we were attempting to speak of a patient- it all about them. Who taught these people their manners?? What is it that makes these younger nurses FEAR us or FEAR even to listen to someone else's opinnion. How about THEIR insecurity. Their caregivers growing up should have spent more time parenting them instead of handing them a key to the front door and letting them raise them selves- even if they had to work- that is no excuse for how their kids turned out.Now they are monsters of adults destroying other peoples lives, having no ingkling of the trauma or damage they are doing, have done and will continue to do. They just ASSume- it's all about them.

himilayaneyes · Jun 22, 2011

I've been in critical care for almost a year now. Went to ICU with just 2 years of cardiac tele/stepdown experience. Do you have BLS and ACLS (more importantly)? Have you taken a critical care course (offered through hospitals and colleges)? One thing I noticed on every interview is that every manager asked if I had taken an ICU course. I also joined AACN (american association of critical care nurses)..which seemed to impress them. Keep trying. Plus, what type of nursing experience do you have? (acute care vs SNF, med-surg vs step-down). I don't think it's your age. They hired a ton of young people into the unit (including myself), but my unit has still hired some more mature individuals. I don't doubt that age discrimination exists, but keep trying. Good luck.

Old.Timer · 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.

You are on a roll - that is hysterical - can't stop laughing !

merlee · Jun 22, 2011

I have to agree with the people who talk about the bottom line. Why hire someone with many years' experience for 30 bucks an hour when you can get a younger person for 20 bucks?

Also, the younger ones are less likely to have health problems, causing absences. You know, heart issues, diabetes, back and hip issues....

The hire rate among my unemployed friends is zero, despite our efforts.

Ageism is rampant in all industries, not just healthcare.

KaksRN · Jun 22, 2011

I don't have a comment as far as the OP's age discrimination hypothesis but I do think that several posts are stereotypical toward the young. You don't like it done to you but you're doing it to us.

orthonurse55 · Jun 22, 2011

I have been in a similar situation on several occasions, trying to obtain a teaching job. I work there part time and kept getting passed up. One time the "hired from within". Another time they didn't even post the position until I heard about the new hire and said I hadn't seen it posted. THEN they posted it! I got turned down for it the firt time because I didn't have the right degree (MSN) and then they hired a 20-something that I wrked with who had minimal experience and a BSN too! And then they paid for her to get her Masters! I know it had to be age discrimination. No one will convince me otherwise. I am 56 now so had been trying for about 4 years. I finally gave up. I have no plans to retire because I don't ever want to! So it can't be because they think I woul dbe leaving shortly. And the position is paid per credit hour. Oh well. I hope you finally get the position you want.

kcmylorn · Jun 22, 2011

I have my BLS, ACLS(current since 2002), a Critical care course from one of the major university hospital systems in my city, conscious sedation, PACU course- 10 years of tele/stepdown( cardiac medical and post open heart, 4 of those years as a travel nurse) 18 yrs oncology, med-surg( with a current med-surg certification) 1 yr endoscopy, 1 yr clinic and 2 yrs ambulatory care outpatient surgery- Yeah, I'm going to enjoy sitting in a char watch all the younger nurses run their butts off- doing more with less- working for a multimillion dollar salaried/yr CEO- just keep that free money coming kids!!

I am not a diabetic, I don't have heart dz, nor do I have HTN- I take no meds at all. I still feed myself, and am continent of bowel and bladder. There you have it - an experienced Rn with no medical problems who is planning on sitting on her butt! Doesn't it just p*** you kids off- Find your own way. You better do it quickly because what I have seen in the past 4 weeks after sending my patient's to an ED full of you young nurses- is a 29 yr old now with a disabling CVA and a other(28yr old) with a retroperitoneal bleed from a blunt force trauma your generation missed!!!!!!!! Discharged both from the ED. What- were they posting dinky's on facebook in the ED?? I'm no MN - and pinning the purple heart on your chest is not going to impress me- you need to bone up on your assessment skills, pathophys and critical thinking and then figure out how you, the nurse, are going to influence the providers decision to discharge or not discharge a patient. The chairs( and welfare) are awaiting for us old bitter dried up nurses.

Biffbradford · Jun 22, 2011

I have to agree with the people who talk about the bottom line. Why hire someone with many years' experience for 30 bucks an hour when you can get a younger person for 20 bucks?
Also, the younger ones are less likely to have health problems, causing absences. You know, heart issues, diabetes, back and hip issues....
The hire rate among my unemployed friends is zero, despite our efforts.
Ageism is rampant in all industries, not just healthcare.

Nope, that's crap. I'm 50 and I have less sick days in my whole working career than some 22 year olds have in one calendar year. I'm also not about to put in for maternity leave either. (I'm a guy) :lol2: :yeah:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

I have noticed when I am in a conversation with one of these "younger"nurses- I can start to say something and I am cut off, with the topic changed before I even have a chance to finish. The conversation becomes all about them- forget we were attempting to speak of a patient- it all about them. Who taught these people their manners??

You have the Baby Boomer generation to thank for much of the perceived problem. After all, they are the ones who procreated, brought the twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings into the world, raised us, instilled values and manners into us, and so forth. You know the old saying: The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

In addition, your anger might be misplaced. You should be upset at the corporate structure that promotes and fosters ageism, and not the younger nurses who will one day be middle-aged and in a similar situation as you.

Old.Timer · Jun 22, 2011

You are on a roll - that is hysterical - can't stop laughing !

I don't have a comment as far as the OP's age discrimination hypothesis but I do think that several posts are stereotypical toward the young. You don't like it done to you but you're doing it to us.

You have the Baby Boomer generation to thank for much of the perceived problem. After all, they are the ones who procreated, brought the twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings into the world, raised us, instilled values and manners into us, and so forth. You know the old saying: The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
In addition, your anger might be misplaced. You should be upset at the corporate structure that promotes and fosters ageism, and not the younger nurses who will one day be middle-aged and in a similar situation as you.

Alright Kcmylor, Come on, the first one or two comments were actually pretty funny and I commented as such. However, I have to agreee with those that have commented that the broad stereotypical generalizations are not fair. We don't like it when it is done to us . OT

KayRN910 · Jun 22, 2011

kcmylorn, if anything, I think if you can vent like this and go on and on and on about how terrible the younger generation is, maybe THAT attitude is why you are being descriminated against. Heres an idea... instead on being on this thread, complaining out my younger generation and how WE "missed" your CVA diagnosis or whatever, why dont you TEACH THEM. (... and you should know that medicine isn't an exact science! Esp in the ED! And where is the doc's accountability in this conversation?!)

I have nothing against nurses that have been doing this forever. If anything, I LOVE learning from them and them teaching me things. But i do have a problem with people talking about how we dont know anything, and that same nurse that sits there as I DROWN and dont know what to do.

kcmylorn · Jun 22, 2011

You can't teach a know it all generation. As for my attitude- If those I work with knew I posted these theoughts- they would be shocked. They have no idea I have those opinnions. I sit back an observe. I see alot of excuses posted by this gen x group above.