Getting a federal government job after age 50
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Anonymous
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How hard is it? I'm a 50 year old RN with a bachelor's degree looking for a job that I can stay at until retirement (I plan on/hope I am physically able to work until my late 60's). I'm burned out on hands on/clinical/hospital work and am looking for something Monday-Friday with decent benefits, good work/life balance and stability. I've done RN case management before and am open to doing it again but I'm also open to leaving nursing entirely as long as I can get a job with decent pay (starting salary at minimum in the mid 80ks per year). I made $110k last year as a hospital RN in the Baltimore area but that involved occasionally picking up shifts/working OT-it's not money that can be counted on as our patient census and staffing needs fluctuate. I realize I most likely won't be making that much when I leave this job.
At this point in my life I'm fine with doing work that's kind of boring in return for stability, reduced stress and a 40 hour or less work week. I don't need to move up the ladder-I want to do good work and be done at the end of the day. Any thoughts or feedback would be greatly appreciated-thanks! |
Anonymous
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No harder than getting a job at 50+ in the private sector, and maybe easier. I was 50 when got my first job as a fed, and I'm far from the oldest person around. Fed jobs aren't easy to get, but federal agencies seem to have less age discrimination than most of the private sector, from what I've seen.
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Anonymous
| I personally think it’s easier than the private sector for certain roles. I saw a number of people hired to admin roles at 50. Many were former SAHPs and were excellent employees; and typically overqualified. |
Anonymous
| Try FDA or HHS or NIH. Maybe a project manager? |
Anonymous
| Start applying, OP. Your age will not be a barrier for Fed hiring. |
Anonymous
| My 50 year old cousin just started as a fed last September so yes it's possible. 50 is not old in the federal government. |
Anonymous
| Experience counts for a lot. We have a lot of older people starting all the time. |
Anonymous
| Go for it. I know several people who started govt jobs in their 50s and worked until mid-60s. Are there any RN jobs in county health clinics in your area? |
Anonymous
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This is the OP-thank you! I appreciate the responses.
In terms of county/local government RN positions, there are job openings but the pay is low. Federal jobs appear to pay better. |
Anonymous
Cast a wide net. Set up a search on USAJobs for everything that matches your qualifications. |
Anonymous
| This is where the old people go to keep working |
Anonymous
| I plan to become a fed in my 50s. Seems totally possible. |
Anonymous
| I was a fed lawyer 30-38, quit to raise kids, then got hired by a different fed agency at 50–better job, better pay. I’m happily still there at age 62, with no plans to retire soon. |
Anonymous
| Why not work at VA? |
Anonymous
| State government job might be interesting. i work for a state health agency and it pays well and is not stressful |