Nursing-A second carrer at 50!

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a 25+ years career in Finance and Accounting. I have reached the top of my profession in my area-Financial Controller. Job satisfation is now zero and I kepp wondering about my first career choice-nursing;which my mom, who worked at a hospital discouraged me to pursue since I was gifted in mathematics and numbers. I now have a stong yearning to embark on a nursing career before it is too late and therefore I have registered to start the ADN, this fall at a community college.

From reading the blogs, my questions are:

1. Is it too late for me to have a meaningful career in nursing?

2. Is age discrimination widespread?

3. Is employement for new, older graduate more difficult?

4. Is there a site with information as to best employers for older/new nurses?

5. Is it wothwhile/cost effective to pursue studying from:ADN,BSC to Masters or PHD, level in nursing at my age-

newly 50?

6. Is there statistic out there, about successes in nursing as a second career at age 50 plus?

Thanks for information and feedback.

Specializes in med surg.

i agree that older nurses are in demand, I graduated when I was 40 and just recently joined AARP!

A previous poster was correct in that employers like older nurses for several reasons:

No pregnancy issues or child care issues although elder care is a consideration.

We bring work experience and life experience that is imperative to nursing.

Most older nurses have a strong work ethic which is not to say that younger nurses do not. Just generational difference in some cases.

Most have been in admisnistrative or business positions and have a clear understanding of the fiscal responsibilites facing health care today and offer insight into solution.

I say if it is what you want then go for it!

Specializes in Psych.

Just wanted to add that your extensive experience in fiscal management would come in particularly handy if you're at all interested in pursuing public health nursing as a specialty.

Good luck!

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I graduated from an ADN program last year at age 51! I have been working Med/Surg for the past year and love it. I feel my age gives me an advantage as I have some wisdom on my side and don't get caught up in all the drama..which is in EVERY WORK PLACE..not just nursing. I worked for 25 years in the high tech industry as a marketing manager and got burnt out. I say go for it!!!

Specializes in Cardiovasc-thoracic/Hospice.

Go for it if that is what you really desire. Also with your finance and accounting background and a nursing degree, you would also be an asset for an insurance company or even the patient finance dept in any medical center. There are many opportunities available to you with you accounting background that other nurses wouldn't have.

As for being too old, never! I graduated with my ADN at 42 yrs old, we may be a little slower on our feet than the 20 yr olds, but I think the life experience we bring and better problem solving abilities outweigh the age factor.

If you already have a degree why not utilize the RN second degree program. In Texas if you have a Bachelor's Degree in anything you can get your BSN in the same amount of time that you would get your ADN. Much better choice to have your BSN. My personal opinion. YOu should check into this. Also I just turned 50 and I feel young at heart. I like being an RN, I was an LVN for12 years before going for my RN. I was single mom whowaited until youngest was in high school. I wish I had done it sooner but oh well. Men are doing it now too as second career choices.

thank you-all

first of all: apologies for delayed but sincerce thank you's to all, for the realistic, positive, helpful and critical responses to this thread. you all helped me to make an informed decision and i am happy to annoounce

that i have registered for the adn/rn programme.:yeah::heartbeat:nurse::redbeathe

being new to the site, i erroneously posted the "thank you" as another new thread and had difficulty retrieving original thread.

i am now more familar with the site and is making the correction now & here-always learning-lol.:up:

thank you all for discussing both sides and all sides of this "2nd career analysis". i have registered for fall 2009 and is currently awaiting acceptance letter-staying positive.

my planned route into nursing is: rn-> bsn-> msn and to familar myself with patients and patient care facilities i will enroll in a 6-8 weeks cna programme-prior to fall 2009's rn start date of class.

thank you all and i have never experienced such warmth, willingness to help, guide and general empathy among my previous professional colleagues. it is wonderful being a nurse!!:heartbeat:redbeathe:nurse::redbeathe:heartbeat

I am curious as to whether any of you have experienced any age discrimination in the classroom from instructors half your age? If so, what did you do??

Thanks

I hate ageism and labeling people for age,etc..I think it is great that this country does not discriminate against mid-age people wanting to go back to school...I think every age is a privilege itself and I dont understand why anyone would be ashamed of their age...

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