Who wants to hire a graduate nurse at 55?

[RNat55]

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.

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

You and I have a lot in common - age and an interest in writing. I do have work experience but I remember being frustrated on my inability to get that first job. I started out in a nursing home just to get my foot in the door. It turned out to be a good idea - I gained so many skills and was able to check them off for my next job. Keep a journal of your experiences. Age does not matter in writing and they are always looking for writers in healthcare. This can supplement your income and who knows may also lead to a job. Best of luck to you. Don’t give up!

[TXERRN84]

Move to west texas and you'll get a job in a heartbeat

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

On 1/17/2020 at 3:44 PM, RNat55 said:

I have started searching for home health and hospice graduate nurse positions but both appear to require some experience. Most appear not to be hiring graduate nurses. It is frustrating but I will keep searching. Thanks.

Small home health companies tend to hire new grads (and pay horribly). I would not recommend home health for a new grad as you are pretty much on your own and will be expected to know what you need to know to keep your patient safe and get the job done independently.

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

On 2/2/2020 at 3:25 AM, Jedrnurse said:

What does your hospital/unit do (and for how long) to make training new nurses so expensive?

We specifically use the Versant Program. Our new nurses aren't on their own for several months. At least three, I can't remember for sure how long. The program lasts for a year, but it is a formal program and it costs $$. Not to mention, the fact that you've got two nurses that begin with only 2 patients and continue up to 5. You're paying two nurses for what one experienced nurse could do for at least 3 months. Not to mention the program cost. That being said, the nurses that are produced from this program are spectacular! I work with a great team, and some of the most enthusiastic nurses that truly love what they do and love the people that they care for were once Versants.

[srahamim, ASN, MSN]

Another suggestion - apply to your local blood center organization. They are always looking for good people, the “patients” (donors) are healthy and want to be there and are usually in a great mood! The work can be a little physical if you setup mobiles, but otherwise it is a fantastic job.

[RNat55, ADN, RN]

UPDATE

I attended the interview yesterday at the SPCU where I did my practicum and for a night shift. The interview went well in my opinion and my former preceptor told me she was contacted and she "gave a good word" and was looking forward to possibly training me again!

HR called today to inform me that I was not under consideration. Why? They feel I will be a better fit in the medical-surgical unit where there is lower acuity. There is always something why...?

I should feel free to attend their hiring event coming up next week. Really? Honestly, I am not sure if anything will change interviewing with MSU. There will be a reason why they can't hire me also?

What next? I have ruled out home health as a graduate nurse. Even if I wait to complete my BSN in April, my age won't be affected.. .still an RN at 55.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

20 hours ago, RNat55 said:

UPDATE

I attended the interview yesterday at the SPCU where I did my practicum and for a night shift. The interview went well in my opinion and my former preceptor told me she was contacted and she "gave a good word" and was looking forward to possibly training me again!

HR called today to inform me that I was not under consideration. Why? They feel I will be a better fit in the medical-surgical unit where there is lower acuity. There is always something why...?

I should feel free to attend their hiring event coming up next week. Really? Honestly, I am not sure if anything will change interviewing with MSU. There will be a reason why they can't hire me also?

What next? I have ruled out home health as a graduate nurse. Even if I wait to complete my BSN in April, my age won't be affected.. .still an RN at 55.

Not sure what SPCU does, but it is ok to start in med-surg. I would be open to this and prepare for the hiring event. Take the time to research if you are able who the manager is of that unit. You can look up their name on google and many have a linked in bio that gives you info on their career history. Make note of that so when you meet them you can mention something positive about their career path.

Also read up about the hospital/system you want to work for. You can google this and find links to local city business journals and some hospital and nursing magazines.

You want a topical resume, highlighting your recent nursing graduation, you can highlight specific clinicals that are relevant. You can provide preceptor and professors for references.

Read Nurse Beth on here especially Why you need an elevator speech. You want to be able to segway into how your experience and enthusiasm will be a good match for the hospital and manager you meet. Look for things in common or simply positive things you've discovered about them. I expect many new grads don't bother to take the time to do this. That alone will set you apart.

Good luck! Don't give up! I'm rooting for you!

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

Just want to add my encouragement. You can do this! It really is rough out there - regardless of age. I'm going to challenge you to mentally take your age off the table as a factor. You are identifying yourself as a "RN at 55" -- while it is fact, it is not even close to all you are. You are WAY more than your number in years. You are a highly educated, professional woman embarking on a new and exciting career for which you are well prepared. Stop thinking of yourself as "RN at 55" -- you can't prove it's getting in the way (and, thus, you can't do anything about it even if it is) - so let it go. You could be unintentionally projecting a sort of defeated attitude without even knowing it.

Tell yourself the truth: it IS HARD getting that first job, and that first job may not be your dream job or even close to it. I know 25 year old nurses who have experienced that very truth.

You apply for all the things! You're gonna get something and then you are on your way!

A previous poster did mention legal nursing d/t your background. Is this something you would be interested in? It's not preparatory for nurse educator, but sure would be a great use of your experience.

Best wishes!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

To quote Dr. Phil "No matter how thin you make a pancake, it still has two sides". I realize the focus is on your age, but you need to self-reflect on how you present yourself in the interviews. Is there anything that you said or did in the interviews that could be perceived as off-putting to them? Is it possible that the unit you did your preceptorship on was too fast-paced for you, hence the suggestion of a Med/Surg floor? Everybody thinks that they are the perfect candidate and when they are not chosen, the immediate conclusion is that it has to be age/sex/race/... that is the reason they were not chosen. The only person that knows the real reason you were not chosen is the hiring manager.

[RNat55, ADN, RN]

2 minutes ago, NICU Guy said:

To quote Dr. Phil "No matter how thin you make a pancake, it still has two sides". I realize the focus is on your age, but you need to self-reflect on how you present yourself in the interviews. Is there anything that you said or did in the interviews that could be perceived as off-putting to them? Is it possible that the unit you did your preceptorship on was too fast-paced for you, hence the suggestion of a Med/Surg floor? Everybody thinks that they are the perfect candidate and when they are not chosen, the immediate conclusion is that it has to be age/sex/race/... that is the reason they were not chosen. The only person that knows the real reason you were not chosen is the hiring manager.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's true that how one presents one's self can be a contributory factor but I have tried to present myself in a positive light. My former preceptor in that unit (during my practicum) told me they had asked her about me after the interview and she was excited that I might be coming to the floor and she might get to train me again. So what happened...? I look at the "too fast-paced" as a pointer to my age-like you might have done well during your short practicum but you may not have the stamina for a full- time employment here? Again, just my thoughts...

Also, yes, ONLY the HIRING MANAGER knows the real reason why I was not chosen. All anyone can do is speculate and that is why it is so frustrating when they don't tell you what the actual reason is. When I went for an earlier hiring event for a medical-surgical position, I was told they were not considering me and to go interview with their other locations...okay? If they are not considering me here, why would other locations do? But again, if their reason is illegal, they wouldn't say it, instead, they might find other reasons to give, so?

But, I also self reflect after an interview to give myself perspective and to prepare better for the next. I KNOW I am closer to getting my first job-perfected suited for me. Thanks.

[RNat55, ADN, RN]

2 hours ago, WestCoastSunRN said:

Just want to add my encouragement. You can do this! It really is rough out there - regardless of age. I'm going to challenge you to mentally take your age off the table as a factor. You are identifying yourself as a "RN at 55" -- while it is fact, it is not even close to all you are. You are WAY more than your number in years. You are a highly educated, professional woman embarking on a new and exciting career for which you are well prepared. Stop thinking of yourself as "RN at 55" -- you can't prove it's getting in the way (and, thus, you can't do anything about it even if it is) - so let it go. You could be unintentionally projecting a sort of defeated attitude without even knowing it.

Tell yourself the truth: it IS HARD getting that first job, and that first job may not be your dream job or even close to it. I know 25 year old nurses who have experienced that very truth.

You apply for all the things! You're gonna get something and then you are on your way!

A previous poster did mention legal nursing d/t your background. Is this something you would be interested in? It's not preparatory for nurse educator, but sure would be a great use of your experience.

Best wishes!

Thanks!

I call myself RN at 55 because I am proud of my accomplishment at this age and not because I feel it's a problem. Determination and focus got me here. It just happens that the 55 might be a contributory factor in making it harder getting that first job.

I take your counsel, "apply for all the things!" I know I will soon get something suited for me.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I would take it as a good sign that they reached out to you about the hiring event. Most times it seems that HR never gets back to anyone at all, except the one chosen to be hired of course.