Who wants to hire a graduate nurse at 55?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am in my final semester for my BSN. I qualified as an RN in September 2019 and I have been job searching. Due to my recent job interview experiences, I am beginning to wonder if I can secure a graduate nurse position at the age of 55.

My very last interview with an HCA hospital took about two months and included over 140 character assessment questions, on-demand video interviews, face to face interviews with the nurse manager, then the nursing director and finally, the management. I got a phone offer from the recruiter who stated she would email the formal offer. Three days after, she called and informed me they made a mistake as they thought they had more openings. I should feel free to reapply or apply for a different position and could contact her for help. I was shocked and dumbfounded!

I keep feeling my age is the issue. Please, does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could consider applying for a graduate nurse position at this age? My ultimate aim is to become a nurse educator. For now, I have an interest in also becoming a nurse writer.

Thank you for your assistance.

It is all about getting your foot in the door any way possible. I've heard success stories where the easier to get temp jobs were able to lead to successful full-time jobs in case that was an option for you.

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Specializes in IMCU.
On 1/18/2020 at 4:17 PM, ashagreyjoy said:

Corrections is always hiring. I've learned sooooo much. Some point I will try to return to acute care (my year in med surg tele is solid gold useful) but one can make an excellent career in Corrections. I would not want to work solo in home health as a new grad.

I loved corrections!

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Specializes in 25 years exp: NICU, Mat/Child, ICU, MedSurg, Exec.
On 1/16/2020 at 10:23 AM, RNat55 said:

I am in my final semester for my BSN. I qualified as an RN in September 2019 and I have been job searching. Due to my recent job interview experiences, I am beginning to wonder if I can secure a graduate nurse position at the age of 55.

My very last interview with an HCA hospital took about two months and included over 140 character assessment questions, on-demand video interviews, face to face interviews with the nurse manager, then the nursing director and finally, the management. I got a phone offer from the recruiter who stated she would email the formal offer. Three days after, she called and informed me they made a mistake as they thought they had more openings. I should feel free to reapply or apply for a different position and could contact her for help. I was shocked and dumbfounded!

I keep feeling my age is the issue. Please, does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could consider applying for a graduate nurse position at this age? My ultimate aim is to become a nurse educator. For now, I have an interest in also becoming a nurse writer.

Thank you for your assistance.

It really depends more on what positions you are applying for. There are always positions available in Med/Surg. I haven't seen age be an issue in any facility I have worked at but i have seen a lack of experience or qualification impact hiring. Good luck on your search and please don't give up!

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Based on my experiences, I would conclude that the reason is most likely your age. The excuse given was just that, an excuse, to cover up the real reason. I can assure you in most instances there is nothing slow and steady about a med-surg floor. Don’t fall for that load of crapola they gave you. And it could also be as simple as them wanting someone for the med-surg position, except instead of steering you along the hiring process there, you were told to come back to another hiring event to essentially start over. I would look elsewhere before putting any further hopes with this employer.

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On 2/1/2020 at 9:45 PM, brandy1017 said:

Not everyone wants to be or needs to be a floor nurse. I recently talked to a clinical instructor about this. We need less than half the nurses we used to due to decreased census, private rooms and increased nurse to patient ratios. She stated many of her students go directly into clinic jobs after graduation. Most of the new grads that take a job at my hospital quit within a couple of years if not sooner. Many go back to be an NP or move to clinic jobs in search of better working conditions.

Interesting that your Instructor/you say we NEED fewer nurses because of higher nurse:patient ratios. For shame that we let this outrageous mess continue.

But that is not the main issue here. How is your search going?

Did you apply with the city? county? state? other government body? Public Health clinics?

How about working for a firm that does wellness screenings, flu shots, maybe home care for one private duty patient through an agency? Yes, they might want some experience, but not necessarily.

Some nurses advertise for home care patients on their own. They might not be nurses, but they do get work. They care for people in their own homes.

Could you open an adult day care or group home?

I think a group home could be run by an unlicensed person/persons as long as a licensed person sees to the meds, dressings, nutrition. Not sure. Check with your state board that licenses places like that. I think it might be called a Board and Care facility.

In the meantime, suppose you consider working as an aide/tech? I know you want RN work, but you will at least get a foot in the door. There could be a legal barrier to this latter if they know you are an RN.

How about you contact your schoolmates, see if they are working and maybe their employers are hiring.

And cover the gray. I don't mean to be rude, I just think you will look younger with darker hair. I do when I cover my gray.

Maybe a surgical center outpatient place? Occupational health? Research at a university? Teach Fundamentals of Nursing as an adjunct (part-time, temp) Instructor. Teach CNA students.

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I am 55 years old and graduated from an RN school 17 years ago. I do have many years experiences in various fields. I remember that I had a face to face job interview in one of the hospitals inside the Texas Medical Center. It was dated back to 8/5/2019. Before the interview, I was so scared about ageism. Anyhow, I was offered a Med/Surgical job right after I passed the pharmacology test being conducted in the HR Department.

I think it depends on how you present yourself to the Nurse Manager and the Director of Nursing. In other words, how you sell yourself during an interview it is very vital.

Have you consider to relocate for just one year? Alabama will be a good fit if you don't have experiences as a new grad. The pay is low but once you have experience, your chances of getting a job will be higher.

By the way, I had very bad experiences with HCA. I hope this help.

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UPDATE!

I finally got hired as a pediatric private duty nurse! But before then I was further rejected by a nursing home and home health agencies, then finally, contacted this group, went for interview and I was hired! As if the job was just waiting for me.:) I am currently in their preceptor program!

Glad to be starting somewhere. Thank you all for your support. I learned a lot!

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Specializes in Programming / Strategist for allnurses.

@RNat55 Any job search tips you can give to new nurses in waiting?

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I'm the manager of a Home Health and Hospice department in Montana. Email me your resume if you're I interested. I'd be happy to interview you. We value passion for patient care, reliability and integrity. I'm nearly 50 and I've never experienced age discrimination in nursing. Our hospital hires new grads of all ages and backgrounds. 

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