could I still become a nurse?

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hi to all the nurses reading this.

I'm a 56 year old female with a BA degree in Psychology from the mid 1980's and I worked a professional career for over twenty years which included over ten years of clinical work in a local hospital. I'm now in a cross road and find myself trying to reach for a higher level in my career in Home Care ( or relevant position) but find my academic credentials falling short. I'm considering few potential possibilities but gaining a some level of nursing degree would seem to make the most sense.

I would love any feedback anyone can give me regarding what I might expect or should prepare for and any places/schools. Clearly I would seek a shortest amount of time with least expense and would need a program flexible enough to manage with full time work.

I live near Boston Mass.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

This won't be a popular response but as another older person I would recommend considering just how long you plan to work before retiring? Getting through nursing school is expensive and strenuous. It can be difficult getting hired as a brand new older nurse. Weigh the risks and benefits but I'm not convinced it would be a wise choice to change careers at this time unless it is something done for personal enrichment and not as a means of financial support.

No worries because you will have plenty of folks cheering you on to do whatever you dream regardless of the practicality. ;) Best wishes with whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

What a bummer that I'm the only one who has posted! Maybe ask admin to change to general nursing section or nursing students? There is more traffic there and I would bet you will get more feedback.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Actually, I do agree with Jules A. Realistically, it would probably take ~ 2 1/2 to 3 years for OP to become an RN. Starting a nursing career at approximately age 60 would not be easy, particularly if opportunities are already limited for non-BSNs. If OP isn't able to easily fund this education - I'd say it was a no-go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Would your current employer fund your education or consider hiring you post graduation? If not the risks may outweigh the benefits. What about expanding your education in psychology/clinical psychology? The length of time& cost might be similar, plus you already have a work history in the discipline

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

ow. Ringht now there is a plethora of nurses

Hi to all the nurses reading this.

I'm a 56 year old female with a BA degree in Psychology from the mid 1980's and I worked a professional career for over twenty years which included over ten years of clinical work in a local hospital. I'm now in a cross road and find myself trying to reach for a higher level in my career in Home Care ( or relevant position) but find my academic credentials falling short. I'm considering few potential possibilities but gaining a some level of nursing degree would seem to make the most sense.

I would love any feedback anyone can give me regarding what I might expect or should prepare for and any places/schools. Clearly I would seek a shortest amount of time with least expense and would need a program flexible enough to manage with full time work.

I live near Boston Mass.

I live near Boston MA as well.....wow. Sadly right now there is a plethora of nurses and many nurses are having a hard time finding a job after graduation. If you have an Associate degree you might as well just get a bachelors. Many facilities are hiring BSN grads only. There are accelerated BSN programs some are very expensive....however as a new grad the market is still saturated and you may have trouble finding a job.

Regardless of what the news says.....there is no shortage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have an ASN, but also a BAS. I took a class toward a BSN and my URI instructor told me that with 2 more classes I can start on a Master's. Check it out...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
would need a program flexible enough to manage with full time work.

I think this alone is why you should turn away from the idea of nursing. Any reputable institution is going to be *very* difficult to plan around. I had three different jobs in nursing school because it never failed that clinicals interfered with the schedule I had to the point that I had to quit each job, find another job, only to quit that one the next semester because clinicals interfered again. I even spent one semester unemployed.

Even the jobs I was able to work weren't full time once I started clinicals. It would be impossible to plan a consistent 40 hours a week around clinicals, which could be absolutely any time of the day or night any time during the week, and maybe even on the weekends.

If you have to work full time, I would suggest doing something else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did a night/weekend program. Would that work for you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment