Laid off after 38 years

The state of Illinois is a mess! After 2 months of looking, I can't find a job,and I don't know what to do next! I worked at a multi-specialty clinic,a series of doctor's offices, let 5 RN's and 3 Aides go on June 11th. At 61 I am in great shape,I can easily do 12hr shifts, but nobody is hiring! I have no family, so I am on my own, and it really makes me angry that I call and email employers,and they don't even bother to call back! It is an employer's market, and they are just plain rude! I can't rertire for another 5 years,and even that isn't enough! My ex-supervisor weighs 400lbs,and will soon have her second series of knee replacements in 6 months,and she is still working!
I have no family,so my paycheck and a few more months of unemployment (1/2 my salary) is all I have,and I am really angry! Sorry to vent, but I have been working so hard to find work! Thanks for listening,I really appreciate it Unemployed after 38 Years/1
I'm sorry for your job loss. I hope that you can find the energy to keep on applying for positions. You are bound to find an employer who will appreciate all of your experience.

Wow,..so sorry to hear this,...I would be angry too. What area of the country are you in? My hospital is hiring!

Keep looking! Make sure to take a good look at how you're presenting yourself. You might need some help maximizing your resume. You must know a lot of health care people. Call them. Best of luck!

I am so sorry to hear of your situation. It seems to be happening more and more often. Who would have ever thought that so many teachers would be laid off right now as well.. We are living in a sad state of affairs right now.. We recently learned of Pediatricians being laid off due to clinic closings in other states... All we can do is have hope for the future. Best of luck.

You can't make it until 62? That's all I'm aiming for.And hugs.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I'm a new grad - and I thought I had it bad. I thought experienced nurses had the pick-of-the-litter right now. Thanks for sharing and letting those of us in jobless-town know we're not alone!

YOU GUYS ARE ALL GREAT!! I WILL TURN 62 IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR, SO IF I FILED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY i COULD EARN A LITTLE, BUT I AM WONDERING HOW I MIGHT SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME IF I CAN'T EVEN FIND PART-TIME NURSING WORK. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS? I HAVE NO FAMILY, SO I HAVE NO OTHER INCOME, AND NURSING IS THE ONLY PROFESSION I HAVE EVER WORKED IN. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! UNEMPLOYED AFTER 38YRS. P.S.- DOES CLEANING HOUSES SOUND GOOD?

Something like cleaning houses part time might not be such a bad idea ... or child care... or elder care ... etc. If you only need a part time income (after November), maybe it's time to search for something completely different.

Move somewhere that is hiring right now. You have no family so I assume no ties..... hit the beach somewhere or the mountains.

I live in central IL and there are some jobs here in the two big hospitals - have you thought of moving?

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficult situation. I know that the job market for nurses is great for some and terrible for others. In NY experienced nurses are being hired while new grads are having a hard time. It sounds like in Illinois they aren't hiring anyone. Since you have already explored the job market where you are it sounds like you need to go somewhere else for a few years...don't retire now because your payoff in the long run will be too low. Since you are in good shape at 61 you will probably live a very long life so you will need to maximize your retirement income. How about appying to be a travel nurse? Travel nurse agencies seem to be hiring experienced nurses and they will pay for your housing which may solve the problem of moving expenses. If you have a house perhaps you could rent it until you are ready to return. You may find a whole new life waiting for you! I wish you the best.

I am going to check on the amt I can get from Medicare at age 62, and then find out how much I can make doing something outside of nursing. I live 50 miles west of Chicago, and I can paper the walls with resumes in the form recommended by the unemployment office. Got a "hot offer" on the internet from CareerBuilders.Com today- selling high-tech electronics equipment! I got a good laugh over that one! Unemployed After 38 Years.