Can a Mid-30's Guy become a nurse? How?

[NYguy2Bnurse]

Hello,

Since I was young I wanted to be many things. Firefighter, Navy Seal, Paramedic, just to name a few. But some of those careers didn't happen for one reason or another.

I've have/had one major obstacle, epilepsy. For over 20+ years I suffered from Complex Partial Seizures. I have been dealing with this throughout high school and some college.

A few months back I had Temporal Lobe Surgery for my epilepsy. So far so good, everything looks good. A future without seizures looks very possible. That made me think of possible career paths I could choose. What would be a good choice? Nursing seemed to be a good fit. Not just any type of nurse, but a neurology nurse. Being a person with (controlled) epilepsy being able to help others with epilepsy sounds good.

I would like to know about the nursing schools in and around Albany, NY. Which ones

offer the best training for the money? What schools offer financial aid? What area hospitals offer any work/study type programs?

I would appreciate any help from nurses and nursing students in the area.

Thx,

JD

[caliotter3]

Has your neurologist cleared you for nursing as a career?

[NYguy2Bnurse]

Has your neurologist cleared you for nursing as a career?

My neurologist has suggested I look into possible careers. He hasn't technically cleared me, but

he hasn't said it wasn't a possibility. The only career that is completely off the table is CDL.

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

Can a mid 30s guy become nurse? Yes why not! Nursing does not discriminate against age or men and in fact some units such as Emergency , medsurg, psychiatry, rehab medicine, and long term care look for men nurses as they need some nurses with physical strength for patients with mobility issues and aggression etc. However u mention u have a medical condition...and so u would need clearance from your doctor saying it's safe for u to work as nurse.

[NYguy2Bnurse]

Looking past the "clearance issue".

I would like to know about the nursing schools in and around Albany, NY. Which ones offer the best training for the money? What schools offer financial aid? What area hospitals offer any work/study type programs? I would appreciate any help from nurses and nursing students in the area.

This would help me find out more about the area programs. I would hate to invest time and money

in one program, while another would have been a better fit for me.

Thx, :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Most 'civilians' don't realize that there are multiple levels of basic (pre-licensure) nursing education - any of which will qualify you to take the NCLEX and become licensed as a nurse. In today's much more complex healthcare world, hospitals are rapidly moving toward an 80% BSN workforce based upon large scale research on patient outcomes. Hospitals in most larger metro areas are only hiring BSN grads. However, ADN grads are still going strong in non-hospital settings.

There really isn't any such thing as "work/study" in nursing education unless you can find a diploma program somewhere... there may be some of those in your neck of the woods. Nursing education can be pricey, especially since many for-profit companies have decided to cash in on the (currently non-existent) "nursing shortage". In general, the ease of nursing program admission is in inverse proportion to the cost of the program... "easy" = uber expensive (e.g., WCU's > $100,000 cost).

Best of luck to you on your educational pathway.

[NYguy2Bnurse]

There really isn't any such thing as "work/study" in nursing education unless you can find a diploma program somewhere... there may be some of those in your neck of the woods.

I've heard of programs where you get your training at a hospital and in lieu tuition payment, you

sign a contract to work there for x amount of years. After that time period your free to find other employment. This method of training is/was available in nursing facilities.

__

So what would be the better pathway?

LPN to RN to BSN

BSN

Accelerated BSN

[loriangel14, RN]

I've heard of programs where you get your training at a hospital and in lieu tuition payment, you

sign a contract to work there for x amount of years. After that time period your free to find other employment. This method of training is/was available in nursing facilities.

__

So what would be the better pathway?

LPN to RN to BSN

BSN

Accelerated BSN

That arrangement doesn't really exist any more. It was more popular years ago when htere was actually a need for nurses.

[NYguy2Bnurse]

It was a way to go, if possible. But that isn't to important. What does matter to me more the best pathway to follow.

Should I go the long way LPN to RN to BSN? Go straight for a BSN? Or perhaps try for an Accelerated BSN? I tend to do

better with a hands on approach. So online learning is out, I need a physical campus to go to. The nursing programs in the area

all offer LPN degrees. While a couple offer LPN-RN and RN. It would be great if I could narrow down my choices. Any help in this area would be appreciated. :)

[loriangel14, RN]

I would say go straight to a BSN if you can swing it. LPN is not a degree it's a diploma. LPN-RN are bridging programs requiring you to b an LPN first.

[KStudentNurse70]

Live in buffalo New York , (about 4 1/2 hours away) there are many great schools this way such as niagara county community college there nursing program is highly ranked there is also trocaire these are 2 year schools but there are also many great four year schools also, as for Albany I'm not too sure but honestly any 2 or four year school will do you good! Just do some research online! By the way that's great for you, hope everything works out well ?

[KStudentNurse70]

Also of you get an associates as an RN and work for catholic health system you can sign a 3 year contract and they will pay for your books, laptop, and RN to BSN degree through Niagara University (Lewiston-Niagara Falls area)