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.

3 hours ago, Silver_Rik said:

A place I worked for a long time (before I got into healthcare) opened up 4 new entry level management positions in our office. Plenty of hard working, experienced, and talented older employees applied. Not a single spot went to anyone over 25. I doubt that's a big enough sample to make a case for age discrimination; but it doesn't look good on the surface, and people noticed. It was one of the reasons I left (and I was not an applicant, had no interest in the position, but saw that the overall culture was not friendly to older workers advancing.)

This is sounding more and more interesting! Thanks for sharing and I hope you are in a better place now.

1 Votes

This is an update.

I did attend the hospice hiring event today. The interview went well but unfortunately, they need at least 1-year hospital experience. I guess the bus doesn't stop here. Moving on...:)

I am hopefully waiting to hear from the dialysis clinic RN position. I will keep you all posted. I appreciate everyone that took the time to share their thoughts and advice.

When I posted this, I never imagined I would get this kind of massive response. Thanks for all your concerns. It is keeping me motivated!

5 Votes
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

There is a new Psychiatric hospital in the Tacoma Washington area "Wellfound Behavioral Health" that is in great need of staffing (they are offering me around $57.00/hr as a PRN RN on the weekends with 12 years experience, but not psych experience. I would be doing this while building my NP client base up). I find that the demand in the greater Seattle area for RN's is well above average and as a bonus there is no state income tax. Cost of living is high. However, you can still "find a room" on AirBnb for around $1,000 per month which is about what you would pay in Orlando (historically a much lower cost of living city) for a room (on AirBnb).

2 Votes
3 hours ago, RNat55 said:

This is an update.

I did attend the hospice hiring event today. The interview went well but unfortunately, they need at least 1-year hospital experience. I guess the bus doesn't stop here. Moving on...:)

I am hopefully waiting to hear from the dialysis clinic RN position. I will keep you all posted. I appreciate everyone that took the time to share their thoughts and advice.

When I posted this, I never imagined I would get this kind of massive response. Thanks for all your concerns. It is keeping me motivated!

For what it's worth (not much unfortunately), you sound lovely. I think I would hire you just from your responses on this forum. If only I had the power. ?

9 Votes
Specializes in Dialysis.
59 minutes ago, Sour Lemon said:

For what it's worth (not much unfortunately), you sound lovely. I think I would hire you just from your responses on this forum. If only I had the power. ?

If she lived in the Indy area, I'd tell her to come to one our clinics. One of us usually has an open position.

3 Votes
1 hour ago, Sour Lemon said:

For what it's worth (not much unfortunately), you sound lovely. I think I would hire you just from your responses on this forum. If only I had the power. ?

I appreciate the thought! Thank you. Hopefully, I will soon come across someone that thinks this way and also has the power! ?

1 hour ago, Hoosier_RN said:

If she lived in the Indy area, I'd tell her to come to one our clinics. One of us usually has an open position.

Thank you so much! I wish I did...hmmm, that's tempting ? You are so kind.

5 Votes
On 1/16/2020 at 8:50 PM, RNat55 said:

Most don't ask for age but my resume will definitely give an idea (I have a master's degree in law, plus I started going grey in high school, so...? ? Thanks for your thoughts.

Cover the gray. Wig, dye, whatever. Cover it so you look younger. You are competing with people in their 20's, 30's, and 40's. No matter how great your physical condition, gray hair makes us look older, I believe.

I guess you have tried Nursing homes?

Parish nursing?

Telephone triage?

Insurance companies?

You might be able to work for a staffing agency, although I think they probably want a year of experience.

How about a university that does research and needs a nurse for that?

College Health - maybe you can start as a nursing assistant and work up to a Nurse position.

Fertility Clinic

Psychiatry

Have you applied where you did Clinicals? Willing to work Nights?

Wishing you well.

I didn't read the entire thread. Are you a Graduate Nurse or do you already have your RN license?

Maybe volunteering somewhere could lead to a paid position.

Again, good luck. Keep your positive, cheerful disposition. I know something will come along that is just right for youl

2 Votes
21 minutes ago, Kooky Korky said:

Have you applied where you did Clinicals? Willing to work Nights?

Yes, this is what I thought of this week! Be willing to work nights and go back to where I did my practicum. At least they saw how I worked despite my age! ?

I contacted the nurse manager and she asked me to apply online and she will set up an interview this week. I will see...don't want to raise my hopes too high. Thanks for your thoughts.

8 Votes
Specializes in Nursery.

As a fellow older new nurse I wish you the best of luck! Holding thumbs for you!!!

3 Votes
57 minutes ago, VRS82 said:

As a fellow older new nurse I wish you the best of luck! Holding thumbs for you!!!

Thank you! ?

3 Votes
Specializes in Home care.

Find your niche and happy place. Don’t waste time, effort, or sleep on places that discriminate. It says a lot about what they really stand for.

2 Votes

Being a new grad is a challenge regardless of your age.

Just like anyone looking for a job in a challenging market, might I suggest you consider taking a different approach.

1. Where is the need in your community? Long Term/Rehab positions are always open. If you are lucky, a rehab floor position will give you experience and let you hone those acute skills. Get 6-12 months experience and then look again for your ideal job.

2. Are you presenting yourself in a positive way? If you show up with a friendly, positive approach, it is likely someone is going to be attracted to that.

3. Is your resume showing up your strengths or weaknesses? When you have life experience, consider rephrasing or try a different form than what you are using.

The average age of nurses is 45-59 when googled. Average is 50. And there is a lot of us who are older than that and still going strong.

Have faith! Positive thoughts!

3 Votes
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