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When I first started nursing school, I revered the older and highly experienced Registered Nurses who represented what we all aspired to be. I recall seeing the letters R.N. on their name tags with great admiration. THESE people were the “Real Deal!” They had the designation that I so desperately wanted one day! They had earned the right to wear The Cap that I had yet to deserve!
The RNs who were our clinical supervisors on the floors knew stuff. Things that were not in the textbook–like the early warning signs of a patient going downhill. Back before nursing practice was research-based and there were Rapid Response Teams. Back before there was ACLS and all of its variations. Their hard-won and finely tuned “gut instincts” were respected by the doctors because they had experienced the consequences of ignoring a nurse’s “bad feeling” about a patient.
In the years that have passed since those first quarters of nursing school, we have seen incredible changes in our profession. And through it all, those of us who DID make it through school and work at the bedside became every bit as intuitive and skilled as those who were our role models. Even more so, we had the benefit of the huge changes which took place when nursing practice finally started utilizing scientific-based research as the basis for standards of care.
At long last, WE were the ones who knew stuff. WE were the “go-to” resource people! WE had earned the right to wear The Cap and the designation of Registered Nurse!
And even more of us became nationally certified in our fields and went on to more advanced roles in the new areas of treatment gleaned from the ever-expanding advances in technology.
So WHY are so many nurses over the age of 50 having such a hard time finding jobs in areas where we have so many years of experience?
It isn’t because we have lost our knowledge and dedication to patient care. Nor is it because we are no longer, in most cases, unable or unwilling to do the work.
It is, in my opinion, simply because we are too valuable. As in: We cost too much to hire! In addition, when an over-50 RN who meets ALL of the qualifications (and then some!) for a position is passed over for a younger and much less experienced nurse, it can only mean one thing: Discrimination based on a person’s AGE.
It is happening all over the country, even in areas with critical shortages of experienced RNs. HR departments have developed a system for exercising this illegal practice of not hiring qualified candidates based on age. It is much more “cost effective” to hire a new grad for half as much as an experienced nurse would cost. Never mind that patient care will be affected–what counts is the “bottom line.” And age discrimination is almost impossible to prove unless some brave soul is willing to risk his/her own job by testifying that it is so.
It is a shame, really, to waste so much talent and experience that is waiting and willing to put on The Cap!
The pioneers of one generation are forgotten when their work has passed into the accepted doctrine and practice of another (Edward Cook, “Florence Nightingale”).
For more News and Opinion pick up the latest issue of Scrubs magazine, available at a retail store near you!
I have been trying to figure out why we cannot seem to find the more experienced RN leaders that are out there! We have been recruiting for a Director of Nursing for our clinic nearly 9 years now, to no avail. If interested, the Kodiak Community Health Center needs you!
RN
Registered Nurse
If that is Kodiak, ALASKA, one of the people who responded to this blog is an RN with a Masters’ Degree who lives on a boat and works home care on Prince of Wales Island. You might find her and contact her through FAcebook.
If you can move to Australia, you will have your pick of jobs. We are desperate for experienced and dedicated nurses, and we don’t discriminate on age.
RN
Registered Nurse
I am a registered nurse over age 50. After working for a hospital in Atlanta, Ga for twenty years I was laid off with a severance package due to “a reduction in force”.
Trying to get another job was unsuccessful so I settled for a couple prn jobs with a considerable pay cut. I am having to pay for cobra insurance and of course have no benefits. My belief is there truly is age discrimination going on.
So glad you brought this subject up. I am not alone.
RN
Registered Nurse
Thank you, Nurse Rene. I am 58 and I, too, have been an RN since 1978, with med-surg, acute rehab, home health, hospice experience. During the last 2-3 years, it seems like I don’t get responses from resumes. Even when an interview seems to go very well, I don’t hear back. I have been doing prn work the last 3-4 years. I currently work prn for a Home Health agency that pay every nurse the same rate per visit. So my experience and salary history didn’t scare them off. You have affirmed what I have suspected was happening because of my age and experience.
RN
Registered Nurse
Indeed! I have been reading blogs for months now from nurses all over the country stating the same thing. Where there is Smoke, there is usually Fire! Let us all hope that this latest ‘fad’ in hiring goes away very soon!