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Nursing Students Male Students

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Folks, I need some advice.

A little back ground. I am a forty-two year old, husband and father of two that has been employed as a sales engineer for the past 20 years. Several life experiences, including an exposure to flight nursing via my service as a first responder and volunteer firefighter, have led me to the conviction that my calling is to serve others as a nurse. I am close to completing my pre-requisites for nursing school and have been accepted to a local accelerated BSN program (16 months) which begins this fall.

I am posting on this forum because I need input from all of the other (please tell me there are other) "older" dads out there who are pursuing a mid-life change into nursing while having to support a family. Specifically:

* How are you financing your career change?

* How much is this costing you (tuition and living expenses while in school)?

* How much of a pay cut are you taking to pursue this calling?

* Have I lost my ever-loving mind?

I am sincerely looking for input as I am currently riding the roller coaster of excitement for finally finding my calling and the feelings of quilt/fear for what this may mean financially to the family that I love. Some input to consider as I seek your advice:

1) The BSN program that I am pursuing will cost over $30K and I expect to spend another $45K in basic living expenses for the family. (There are no local public school programs that offer an accelerated format and time is money with a family of four.)

2) My current income is approximately $90K.

3) Upon completion of my BSN, my goal is to immediately enroll in an ACNP program while working at night at a local Level 1 Trauma Center. I would ultimately like to work as a Nurse Practitioner in an ER with a PRN position with a flight program.

4) My wife supports me on this 100%. She is great.

Am I crazy for giving up so much financially to pursue this goal. Will this financial sacrifice be forever or can I expect to get reasonably close eventually. Has anyone else done this? Should I "punt" and resign myself to an empty (but profitable) career?

Sorry for the long post. I really need to get all of this out. Thanks for the sounding board.

Browndog

Hi ABC's DAD! I'm at 25 y/o female...I know I'm not allowed in here!!! But came across your post...I have my BA in Psychology and also a BSN. I obtained my psy degree first and then attended a 14 month accelerated BSN program. ADN are taught more skills in school while BSN's are taught more theory in school...but after a yr's of entry level work, you can't tell the difference between the two..they're both RN's...as far as getting jobs they are gladly hiring ADN w/o any hesitation...pay is not that much of a difference because you'd both be starting off as New Grad RN's...i know a couple hospitals that give a 3% pay increase for a BSN, but usually they get the same pay starting out. But if you are considering on getting advance degrees in nursing the BSN path is a better way to go, more opportunities.

Good luck to you...and also all the other males in the nursing field! We need more of you guys :)

HI, MKRN. Thanks for your response. BSN would probably make more sense, but since my BA was in journalism (non-science), I'd have to take a good amount of prereq courses before starting an accelerated degree program. I have a family, so I will have to keep working. I worked full time during the day, and got my law degree at night. But at the time I had an apartment and no kids. This is going to be tough to figure out. I have spent hours. Actually, I am trying to figure a way to keep working as a lawyer while taking the prereqs, then getting into a 15-month acclerated BSN program. I am a little worried that I'd have trouble finding an RN job where I would be guaranteed at least 40 hours/week. I am getting the sense that around here (Philadelphia suburbs) an entry-level RN salary would be about $25/hr. I might be able to live on that for a while, if I could get 40/hrs/wk plus another $3.50 hour shift differential and get overtime fairly regularly. Scary to think about jeopardizing my family's lifestyle (not that it's so high, but I'd like to know I can pay the mortgage and take vacations), but nursing is the only other career that seems interesting and feels like the right thing to do. And with a BSN and the law degree, maybe I could get into management if I really needed the $. (But I don't want to work behind a desk anymore, or at least not all the time.) Nurse practioner seems interesting, but know that is an MSN -- first things first. Anyway, I got off the subject... I wish I did not have to take the prereq courses; then it would be easier to jump into this.... Even the local ADN program presents a problem. They had 300 people apply for the 100 clinical positions open last time around. They give first preference to students who have taken the most prior credits at the college. I did not go to this college, so I am starting with 0 -- so there's no guarantee that even if I can figure out how to take the prereqs on the sly, there's no guarantee that I'd be able to start clinical in Fall '06. On the other hand, its far less classes than a BSN, and a lot cheaper (its a community college). I am going to figure out a game plan though ... Just felt like rambling. Take care...

I think that you are not only doing the right thing - but the only thing you can do.

I am 42 and starting an ABSN program in May. I am leaving a job that pays far more than nursing. I sold my house and moved in with my mother. I am filled with fear - and having all of your anxieties. But I am also filled with hope.

For me, 20 more years as a lawyer (my current career) is simply to upsetting to contemplete - so I don't see as I have a choice.

Perhaps you are in the same position - its a choice - but one you almost have to make - so go for it. Know that you can never say you didn't try - and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

I think that you are not only doing the right thing - but the only thing you can do.

I am 42 and starting an ABSN program in May. I am leaving a job that pays far more than nursing. I sold my house and moved in with my mother. I am filled with fear - and having all of your anxieties. But I am also filled with hope.

For me, 20 more years as a lawyer (my current career) is simply to upsetting to contemplete - so I don't see as I have a choice.

Perhaps you are in the same position - its a choice - but one you almost have to make - so go for it. Know that you can never say you didn't try - and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

dear friends,

I identified with both of your letters so much, and just wanted to encourage you, because I know what it's like and how crazy things get.

Keep your eyes on your end goal, and fire up your motivation all the time with little rewards, and forums like this one. The obstacles along the way are not as bad as they might seem now, when things are on rough waters on the brink of a major change.

I will be 40 in May, and left a rewarding career in advertising (after MBA marketing and BA in psych and consumer behavior) to study nursing. I have been studying and studying for 2 years now.......and because that's around what it takes the normal person to finish all the prereqs, I'm not even IN nursing school yet. But I couldn't go on in advertising any longer, because I realized how superficial and deceitful this whole field is, not to mention the stressful rat race in the corporate world that was difficult for me to deal with as a sensitive and sincere person. Not everyone can play that ruthless game, and I didn't even want to try.

I think these career changes at this time have a lot to do with age and certain radical changes that happen around this time in both men and women's life. They used to call it a 'mid-life crisis', but realized it is not a crisis for everyone, and now it's just a plain old 'mid-life change'. But that hides a lot thats' going on - a lot of thinking, perspective changes, sudden insights, sudden understandings about life.....

I feel these are the years when one asks himself really and truely - are you doing what you want in life? what is my purpose in life? Am I happy, is this where I want to be? and, am I making a difference in someone's life? Am I giving to people, or taking?

Many people didnt understand my move, and I believe you both have had people that didn't understand your's either. Isn't it the American dream, to be a lawyer? The money, the power, the social prestige, L.A LAW??

I know, and to a lesser degree, people see the advertising execs world too as all glamour glitz and money, rubbing shoulders with TV stars on location premiere cocktails, sitting in major hush hush strategymeetings that will "change the way people think" (!!). no less.

so good luck to us all, in 2 years we will all be terrific nurses :nurse: :redbeathe I am sure.

Tamar

dear friends,

I identified with both of your letters so much, and just wanted to encourage you, because I know what it's like and how crazy things get.

Keep your eyes on your end goal, and fire up your motivation all the time with little rewards, and forums like this one. The obstacles along the way are not as bad as they might seem now, when things are on rough waters on the brink of a major change.

I will be 40 in May, and left a rewarding career in advertising (after MBA marketing and BA in psych and consumer behavior) to study nursing. I have been studying and studying for 2 years now.......and because that's around what it takes the normal person to finish all the prereqs, I'm not even IN nursing school yet. But I couldn't go on in advertising any longer, because I realized how superficial and deceitful this whole field is, not to mention the stressful rat race in the corporate world that was difficult for me to deal with as a sensitive and sincere person. Not everyone can play that ruthless game, and I didn't even want to try.

I think these career changes at this time have a lot to do with age and certain radical changes that happen around this time in both men and women's life. They used to call it a 'mid-life crisis', but realized it is not a crisis for everyone, and now it's just a plain old 'mid-life change'. But that hides a lot thats' going on - a lot of thinking, perspective changes, sudden insights, sudden understandings about life.....

I feel these are the years when one asks himself really and truely - are you doing what you want in life? what is my purpose in life? Am I happy, is this where I want to be? and, am I making a difference in someone's life? Am I giving to people, or taking?

Many people didnt understand my move, and I believe you both have had people that didn't understand your's either. Isn't it the American dream, to be a lawyer? The money, the power, the social prestige, L.A LAW??

I know, and to a lesser degree, people see the advertising execs world too as all glamour glitz and money, rubbing shoulders with TV stars on location premiere cocktails, sitting in major hush hush strategymeetings that will "change the way people think" (!!). no less.

so good luck to us all, in 2 years we will all be terrific nurses :nurse: :redbeathe I am sure.

Tamar

Thanks for your kind post. This board and the people who post are wonderful - encouraging - supportive.

Thanks for your kind post. This board and the people who post are wonderful - encouraging - supportive.

I agree. Thanks to you both. I have just mailed in applications to 2 different community college ASN programs. So, now it begins.

i agree. thanks to you both. i have just mailed in applications to 2 different community college asn programs. so now it begins.[/quote']

wishing you the best of luck with those - keep us posted :)

I strongly suggest you job shadow in several different areas for a full shift following a particular nurse around all day, so you see everything involved before you make such a commitment.

As if men don't go into our nursing forums! She was only trying to give you some good advise. Get over yourself!

Wait - you're a mom?? This is the Male Nursing Student forum!! I had this same problem with our tree house in my back yard growing up. :p

-S

Specializes in SRNA.

Um ... I was kidding. You know, the little smiley face thing with the tongue sticking out. :p We need a sense of humor STAT!

-S

Specializes in Psych, Ortho, Stroke, and TBI.
As if men don't go into our nursing forums! She was only trying to give you some good advise. Get over yourself!

Clearly he was joking.

Anyway, I too am looking at a career change. I'm still on the fence between Nursing and Radiologic Technologist. My end goal is to go into Radiation Therapy, and both allow for a pathway to that. (at least the school I'm planning on attending)

I am currently in Retail, I'm the GM of a furniture store, and depending on business, make 70 to 90K. The money is good, but money isn't everything. It's so unsatisfying, and people look at you as if you are a sleaze ball because of the reputation the industry as a whole has. Plus, what and who do you actually help or contribute to? I, by nature am a compassionate and caring individual. (atleast I've been told) But I HAVE to get out of retail, because it's

making me bitter towards the world at large. I have a need to get out there and "make a difference."

Most of my friends and family think I'm being a hopeless romantic about the whole thing, but you need to be in a career that is the best fit for you...so ignore all of the negative feeback and keep on keeping on. I'm prepared for all of the "nay sayers" be they family, friends, or current nurses themselves.

And then, as a male, there is the whole "Gaylord Focker" mystique....don't get me started on that.

I'm 32 BTW, however, my path is a bit easier than yours due to my being single. But I too am nervous, and wonder if I have lost my marbles.

Good luck to all!

Clearly he was joking.

Anyway, I too am looking at a career change. I'm still on the fence between Nursing and Radiologic Technologist. My end goal is to go into Radiation Therapy, and both allow for a pathway to that. (at least the school I'm planning on attending)

I am currently in Retail, I'm the GM of a furniture store, and depending on business, make 70 to 90K. The money is good, but money isn't everything. It's so unsatisfying, and people look at you as if you are a sleaze ball because of the reputation the industry as a whole has. Plus, what and who do you actually help or contribute to? I, by nature am a compassionate and caring individual. (atleast I've been told) But I HAVE to get out of retail, because it's

making me bitter towards the world at large. I have a need to get out there and "make a difference."

Most of my friends and family think I'm being a hopeless romantic about the whole thing, but you need to be in a career that is the best fit for you...so ignore all of the negative feeback and keep on keeping on. I'm prepared for all of the "nay sayers" be they family, friends, or current nurses themselves.

And then, as a male, there is the whole "Gaylord Focker" mystique....don't get me started on that.

I'm 32 BTW, however, my path is a bit easier than yours due to my being single. But I too am nervous, and wonder if I have lost my marbles.

Good luck to all!

Good luck, mingez. I know lots of lawyers like myself, except that they are so wrapped up in making $ that they are sacrificing family and friends, and carrying the stress of their jobs around almost 24/7. I am afraid that these people will look back on their lives, some day, and wonder why. Hey, I would like to make lots of money, too, but that is too high a price. There is nothing more important than my family. That is why I left the big city, and took a pay cut to work near my home at a small firm in the burbs. But the job itself has become unsatisfying, and there is still too much stress and animosity. I am sure that nursing has its ups and downs, like anything else, but if you look at it objectively, for what it stands for, it is pretty darn noble if you ask me. My wife is an LPN, and she works hard. But it makes her feel good to make others feel better. And there is opportunity for decent money for RN's -- at least where I am from -- the Philadelphia/suburbs. Radiologic technologist pays less around here. Anyway, do what feels right.

I also thought about rad tech becuase it seemed like a quicker entry into health care, but for me it felt like i would be limited in patient care and any decision making, so i chose entry level np program. I think nursing will allow you alot more opportunities but thats just my opinion.

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