Mid life career change?

U.S.A. Florida

Published

Hello all, have a few questions I was hoping to get some help with. I am new to the site, and really like all of the info I have found so far. At this point, I am still in "research" mode, and looking for some experienced advice. So, here's my story.

Currently, I am a restaurant manager. I am a male in my late 30's, and have not been in school in more than 10 years. Recently, I have begun to consider a career change. I have always wanted to work in the medical field. I started to go to school years ago to do pre-req's for nursing. However, life took over, and the timing was not right. So, I took a job as a manager, and have been there ever since. Now that everything has settled, and my wife supports the idea 100%, I am looking to take the leap.

So, my questions are....1) How realistic is it to start a nursing career at my age? 2) Is it harder for a male at my age to find a job? 3) LPN to RN? or straight to RN? 4) what is the job market like in central florida?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

You're not the first guy on here to make this type of inquiry. I am often amazed how many times I have seen this, and I am always happy to answer you all mainly because I am in the same situation. Here are my answers to your questions:

1) How realistic is it to start a nursing career at my age?

Very realistic ... you're still young! There are many many individuals who are starting nursing school in their 50's and 60's so I hope that makes you feel better to know that starting nursing in your 30's is not unusual.

2) Is it harder for a male at my age to find a job?

I don't think I have seen too many older men complaining of not finding work, not any more than a nurse of any other age or gender. I would think also that employers appreciate more mature nurses that come with life experience. Then again, since I am not a nurse yet it may not be my place to fully answer that. Best to let someone already a nurse continue with this answer.

3) LPN to RN? or straight to RN?

Depends how much in a hurry you are. If you have a bachelor's degree you might want to consider an accelerated bachelor's degree in nursing, which is about 12-15 months to complete. An associate's will take 2 years. Both of these routes will make you eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam which if you pass makes you an RN. Being an LPN first (1 year in school) before an RN will be a longer route but if money is an issue for education it oftentimes is a cheap option (you might even get an employer to pay for your coursework to be an RN).

4) what is the job market like in central florida?

I can't speak of this personally since I am not a nurse yet, but I have been hearing that it's just as hard here to find a job as a new grad as it is in many of the major metro areas in the US due to the economy. It's not that nurses are no longer needed, it's mainly due to budgets not being able to accommodate training of new nurses as they used to.

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I have 2 men in my nutrition class that are pursuing a Nursing Degree and they are in their 50's. It's never too late!

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You should absolutely go for it. If anything it would be to your advantage being male. I am 53 (female) and just graduated nursing school. We had guys in my class and in all of the classes before and after mine. There is a guy who works at a local hospital who is in his early 60s. He became a nurse 6 years ago after a 30 year career as a truck driver! Go for it!! :wink2:

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