Too old to travel nurse????

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Specializes in ER, MS, ICU.

I am a healthy, young at heart 54 year old grandmother. I have been in working at the same local facility for over 13 years. I would love to travel nurse but am I too old? Are places excepting of older travel nurses?

My reason for traveling is to hopefully get closer to my daughter in SC. Her husband is in the service stationed there and they have a new baby. I would love to be close enough to help with the baby when I could. She knows very few people there.

Hoping your experiences can help me decide what to do....Thanks!:)

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Travel Nursing at 54??? Hmmm let me think about that one.. Uhhhh, Im thinking you should- GO FOR IT! What do you mean are the excepting older nurses?? 54 is the new 44. That is the perfect age to spread your wings and fly.. You actually have the advantage by not having the stress that comes with being a 34yr old Nurse.

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Specializes in OB.

56 yrs old here and having a blast traveling. I've been traveling for 14+ yrs. now and my age has never been an issue either in finding a contract or during a contract. Many of our generation are out here.

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I am on my 1st travel assignment and just turned 54, so there is hope for us oldies but goodies! I never tell people my age, how much I make, or that its my 1st assignment, watch your back at all times. Good luck.

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Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.
my age has never been an issue either in finding a contract or during a contract. Many of our generation are out here.

Lucky you!!

I'm just trying to find a regular nursing job and have not been able to get hired. I'm a couple years older than you and have a very good resume with over 20 years experience. But I can see the look of disappointment come over the faces of the managers who've interviewed me when they see that I'm not in my 20-40's. Age discrimination is rampant in the nursing world! :rolleyes:

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Specializes in OB.
Lucky you!!

I'm just trying to find a regular nursing job and have not been able to get hired. I'm a couple years older than you and have a very good resume with over 20 years experience. But I can see the look of disappointment come over the faces of the managers who've interviewed me when they see that I'm not in my 20-40's. Age discrimination is rampant in the nursing world! :rolleyes:

I guess that is a real advantage to travel nursing - all the interviews are on the phone, so by the time they see the gray hairs and crow's feet it's too late for them to back out!

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Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.
I guess that is a real advantage to travel nursing - all the interviews are on the phone, so by the time they see the gray hairs and crow's feet it's too late for them to back out!

I agree! When I got my last job, all the interviews were done by phone. It certainly cuts out discrimination based on gray hair, body size, ugly face, frumpy clothes, etc. You get hired based on your credentials, knowledge, experience, and ability to communicate well. I sure wish all nursing interviews would be done by phone - I might have already gotten a job by now if they were.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CVICU, CCU, and Neuro ICU.

In my past two travel assignments there were travel nurses who are grandmothers and over 50 years old. I see no reason not to travel.

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Specializes in NICU.

I started travelling at age 54. My age is an advantage. Older nurses usually are more experienced & handle everything better. They are usually better with people (patients, their families, physicians, etc.) & more dependable ( no calling in after a late night barhopping). My experience is that a nurse manager will hire the more experienced nurse 1st. I have 30+ years critical care nursing experience. But you do need to look sharp & make a good impression. You should have all your certifications up to date. The more the better. You do not want to look frumpy as that could be a factor in getting your assignment extended. The price of a good haircut, new shoes & crisp scrubs is well worth maintaining a professional image.

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Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.
But you do need to look sharp & make a good impression. You should have all your certifications up to date. The more the better. You do not want to look frumpy as that could be a factor in getting your assignment extended. The price of a good haircut, new shoes & crisp scrubs is well worth maintaining a professional image.

I look very professional and have 2 certifications in my area. I've applied for 11 hospital clinical positions in my field (with over 20 yrs experience) and have had just 3 interviews and no job offers. I finally took the only position I've been offered because I desperately need a job, but it's in a completely different type of nursing than I've ever done (and not sure if I'll like) and it's with a private company. But a job's a job when you're going to be unemployed in 4 weeks!

Maybe there isn't the same type of age/experience discrimination in travel nursing because I would assume that the agency is paying any beginning traveler the same, no matter their years of experience. But a fulltime hospital nurse is getting paid based on years of experience, so a nurse with 2 yrs experience can likely do the job as well as one with 20 yrs and will get paid alot less! The hospital is thinking about their "bottom line."

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Never too old! Get out there and enjoy it!

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Specializes in Phlebotomy credential.

So encouraged by these posts !! I am starting my Nursing program in two months at 50 and I think I will be about that age by the time I am able to travel as a Nurse. I am assuming I will need a year or two of critical care under my belt at least! Thanks for giving me hope!!!!

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