Would your hospitals hire a middle-aged rookie?

U.S.A. Colorado

Published

Hello Everybody. I am a 43 year old woman currently in an accelerated BSN Nursing program. I will be 45 years old at the end of my schooling. Am I crazy? Will anyone even want to hire me? My grades are good and I am very interested in the field, but I'd hate to take on $20k debt now and then find myself unemployable. Thanks for the honesty.:confused:

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... Heck, my good friend is going to be almost 63 when she graduates and she already has a job! ...

Wow! Fantastic! :balloons:

Please, would you share more. How inspiring! Thanks.

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Specializes in New RN Sept 8, 2006, Med/surg Geria.

Oh my, very inspiring indeed!!!

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I graduated last spring at the age of 47. I took my NCLEX, passed and started applying. I applied at three hospitals and had two offers for jobs within 2 weeks. I took the job on the oncology floor and am still there 7 months later. Don't worry if there are jobs out there, they will hire you.

debblynn

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I started nsg school at age 25 and was one of the youngest in my class. I think CC nursing programs are much more catering to more established (older) students, than they are to younger students, in several aspects.

However, with the nsg shortage expected to increase in the next couple years b/c of the impending mass retirement of RN's (so many will be at retirement age) shouldn't nsg schools be more concerned about enlisting younger students who can take their place? i hope that doesn't sound discriminatory, just a thought...

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Hey middle-aged rookie...lol. In my experience you won't have any problems being hired at your age. I have worked in healthcare for a long time here in Colorado, in the Risk Management part and actually am a co-founder of GoHealthJobs.com it seems like that the highest demand we have is for Physical Therapists and RN"s. I knew that RN's were in high demand but I didn't know the extent until I saw how many RN jobs people have posted and how extremely hard they are to fill. I have one hospital that we work with that has been trying to fill an ICU RN position for two years!!!

I think once you graduate you will have no problem at all.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Recently heard that the "chronologically" oldest (mid-50s) in our soon-to-be graduating class was hired for one of the "premo" spots in our area!

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Hey, come to California - we need nurses up here in the mountains!

I graduated at 40 btw and had a job before I graduated.

steph

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I graduated a year ago and in my nursing class of 31, with the exception of 4, all were going into nursing as a second career. Most were in their 30's and we had several in their 40's. We've all gotten jobs, no problem. Good Luck!

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So reassured to read these posts... I, too, am a 43 year old who will be 45 when I finish nursing school (I start the Regis Choice program in August). The thing is, I plan on living to be 103, so I've got a lot of time left! I've already had a 20+ year career as a social worker/therapist and think nursing could easily outdistance that as I can switch between specialties if I'm needing a change

Darla

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Well i have the biggest need of help I've seen so far. I have been out of nursing for 27 yrs. I am 22 at heart and mind. My Co licence is current and my family is raised. I have worked with people all my life and now want to get back into nursing. I am an LPN. I have looked for a refresher course, but can find none. Does anyone have any ideas or hope for me. I am active, hard working, team player and a very compassante person.:wink2:

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Specializes in Psych, Ortho, Stroke, and TBI.
Well i have the biggest need of help I've seen so far. I have been out of nursing for 27 yrs. I am 22 at heart and mind. My Co licence is current and my family is raised. I have worked with people all my life and now want to get back into nursing. I am an LPN. I have looked for a refresher course, but can find none. Does anyone have any ideas or hope for me. I am active, hard working, team player and a very compassante person.:wink2:

Red Rocks Community College has a LPN refresher program:

http://www.rrcc.edu/health/lpn.html

I know there are online refresher programs you could look into as well.

I'd call the BON and simply ask them what programs are offering a refresher for LPNs.

Good luck!!!

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Red Rocks Community College has a LPN refresher program:

http://www.rrcc.edu/health/lpn.html

I know there are online refresher programs you could look into as well.

I'd call the BON and simply ask them what programs are offering a refresher for LPNs.

I sure do appreciate your repond, but i have looked into both BON and RRCC. BON has no idea and RRCC is no longer offering it nor are the other ones in the area i've checked. Which is the best on line to look at, do you know. Also, what does anyone think about the LPN to RN that Concorde offers? At this point i am just plain confused and need to go to work. Some one suggested volunteering to gain the oneyear experience people are asking for. HELP!!!!!!

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