Late starters = Nurse Managers?

[45whenimdone]

Hello all you fellow nurses. I am currently taking prereqs to become a nurse, however, I am starting late in the game. I eventually want to become a Director of Nursing for a retirement facility and/or a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Gerontology.

My question to all of you: because I will be around 45 when I'm done, does that mean in order for me to become a DON or a Nurse Manager or high up on the corporate ladder, I will have to put in at least 10 years before I can even be considered qualified for that type of leadership job?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and post if you do.

Denise

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Denise,

Most nurse managers I have known do not have the clinical expertise that SHOULD be expected.

It's a leadership position and I find that most have the proclivity for those positions from the get-go...regardless of age.

[brownbook]

I don't think 45 is too old. I think management might love and promote a person who shows some proclivity and wants an (in some cases) thankless leadership position. I think nurses working under you might resent it if it is known you have had little "floor" nursing experience. However their resentment will quickly fade if you actually work with them, get on the floor, asses a patient for them, pass some trays, give a bed bath, answer some call lights, show up on an 11-7 shift, etc.