26 yr old male considering a career in nursing (RN to CRNA) Advice please?

Palliative Care, DNP · Jul 26, 2013

Heck no 26 is not too old! My suggestion would definitely be a BSN program. My hospital no longer hires ADNs and others are following suit in my area. To be a CRNA most programs require 1-2 years ICU experience. Look at where you want to go for that program so you know the requirements. I know my facility will accept new grads to ICU but you have to sign a contract for 2 yrs. Hope this helps!

RjSmithTec · Jul 26, 2013

Mind if I ask what your hospitals starting salary range is? ou said the accept new grads into ICU with a signed contract, does this mean assuming someone meets the qualifications, they can find a position with realitive ease? Thanks for the info, it definitely helps!

RileyRN2013 · Jul 26, 2013

There is definitely a need for nurses...with experience. Finding a job as a new grad is extremely difficult , but it can be done. I got into an ICU residency as a new grad with a 3 year contract, and an ADN. It really depends on how hard you are willing to work and sacrifice.

Biffbradford · Jul 26, 2013

Hello, I'm a 25 yr old male, soon to be 26, currently a project coordinator with a large financial institution, and I am considering switching to the medical field and pursuing nursing. I would like to become a nurse anesthetist, and in the mean time learn and grow as an ICU/ER RN. My current job is simply too boring. The business end does nothing for me, and I feel I am tied to a desk all day. I love helping others, and get great gratification out of this. However, I do have my concerns which I will list below.
*To those who are thinking they see this all the time and this thread is pointless, it's my understanding that the field is constantly changing and I am seeking advice from those who are aware, not those with an ungrounded opinion*
Is the field becoming overpopulated? Will I have issue finding something? Is 26 too old to begin a new career in this?
NOT too old.
Is it worth the hard work and dedication to studying? I will be broke, and very busy, from now until I land an RN job...
That's up to you, your smarts, and resources.
Are there any benefits to being a male in this profession? Will I catch a lot of crap from females?
If you do, then give it back. Benefits? Hmmmm ....
How is the stress factor? I heard the reason there are tons of out of shape nurses is because they wear themselves out at work and have no energy when their shift is over.
If you don't like stressful situations, then the CRNA and ICU is not for you. Will you be tired at the end of your 12+ hour shift? Absolutely.
How is the pay? I've heard decent, however I've also heard starting off it can be rather disappointing.
Even doctors start at the bottom.
I understand becoming a CRNA is like going through med school for nurses, and this excites me as I know I am an intelligent person. I am anxiously looking forward to the challenge. With that said, is this a realistic goal?
Absolutely. I would definitely want my gas passer to be 'doctor smart' no matter what degree he/she holds. You better know what you're doing and what to do to when the ---- hits the fan. (because some times it does - big time.)
Thanks in advance to everyone providing feedback! Much appreciated.

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BigRed86 · Jul 26, 2013

Hello, I'm a 25 yr old male, soon to be 26, currently a project coordinator with a large financial institution, and I am considering switching to the medical field and pursuing nursing. I would like to become a nurse anesthetist, and in the mean time learn and grow as an ICU/ER RN. My current job is simply too boring. The business end does nothing for me, and I feel I am tied to a desk all day. I love helping others, and get great gratification out of this. However, I do have my concerns which I will list below.

I'm a 26 y/o male starting an ADN program this fall. I had a similar dilemma last year. I also have the goal of becoming a CRNA and have aligned my classes for that goal. I completed as many pre-reqs online as possible and then took all of the science pre-reqs in class. I took 45 credit hours in one year with a 4.0. In addition to nursing courses I will be taking extra chemistry and biology classes to fulfill the CRNA pre-req requirements. So, in other words, I will be broke and won't have much time to work while in school.

I'm assuming you have a previous degree so you may have some pre-reqs done. I also assume you'll probably have some pre-reqs to take. If you are very serious about your goal you will need A's in all of your classes, including nursing courses, to have a competitive application to CRNA school. If you have a previous bachelor degree you might consider an ABSN program.

Ask yourself this: If I never become a CRNA will I be happy working as a "regular RN"? This is something you really need to ponder.

Is the field becoming overpopulated? Will I have issue finding something? Is 26 too old to begin a new career in this?

That depends on what part of the country you are in. Just look around on AN, there are so many new grads having trouble find ANY nursing job. This should not discourage you though! If this is truly what you want to do then I say, "What are you waiting for!?" You may need to relocate after school to find the job you desire.

There are people in my cohort who are in their 30's and 40's. I had the exact feeling you do. I decided to brush that aside. I now realize that being a little older than the traditional student gives me an advantage.

Is it worth the hard work and dedication to studying? I will be broke, and very busy, from now until I land an RN job...

I say it will be worth it because I'm going in with an open mind and eagerness to learn as much as possible.

Will your current employer allow you to go part time? Are there pre-reqs you could take online while saving up as much money as possible? You could work as a CNA or PCT while in school. While the pay is less than desirable you would gain experience and connections that just might land you that ICU/ER job you desire.

Are there any benefits to being a male in this profession? Will I catch a lot of crap from females?

I work as a CNA and being physically stronger is a plus. Other than that there really isn't too many other benefits. I've heard it is easier to get a job as a male but I don't know if I buy that.

You won't catch any crap as long as you show up, work hard, and don't get involved in any drama that is prevalent on many units.

How is the stress factor? I heard the reason there are tons of out of shape nurses is because they wear themselves out at work and have no energy when their shift is over.

Stick to a workout routine to minimize stress and keep in shape. I'm not yet an RN so I don't truly understand the amount of stress involved.

How is the pay? I've heard decent, however I've also heard starting off it can be rather disappointing.

Starting pay with zero experience is around 22-25 per hour where I'm at (Midwest). It will vary wildly throughout the US. Some hospital systems post a salary range on their job postings. Check those out to get an idea.

I understand becoming a CRNA is like going through med school for nurses, and this excites me as I know I am an intelligent person. I am anxiously looking forward to the challenge. With that said, is this a realistic goal?

I think it definitely is a realistic goal! It is going to realistically take you 4 to 8+ years to reach this goal though. It is also going to take a tremendous amount of sacrifice, discipline, and hard work. If you want it bad enough then you will make it happen. Find out what you need to do to accomplish your goals, write out a plan, and then stick to it. Good luck to you and know that there are others out there that have pondered the exact same questions. So far, in my case, it has been worth it.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2013

Mind if I ask what your hospitals starting salary range is? ou said the accept new grads into ICU with a signed contract, does this mean assuming someone meets the qualifications, they can find a position with realitive ease? Thanks for the info, it definitely helps!

NO positions are competative and some hospitals will not hire ADN's any longer.....It is all about location location location....Some areas of the country are expereincing a 47% unemployment rate of new grads....with the average work serach still about 18 months after graduation.

CRNA schools are extremely competative.....at least the good ones are. They require AT LEAST 2 years of critical care in a high skill ICU/CVICU/TRAUMA. Your acceptance will not be guarenteed.

Not all facilities has "contracts for residencies"......and residenceis are far and few between with hundreds of applicants for a few spots.

Are you ready to be told what to do when? Perform menial tasks for patients and their families?

Nursing is a tough job.

RjSmithTec · Jul 27, 2013

Thank you very much for the response. Definitely some great advice in there, and it's awesome that we're in a very similar situation. Good luck to you!

RjSmithTec · Jul 27, 2013

Esme12 you make it sound pretty rough. I know it won't be easy, so I appreciate your words of wisdom. Wouldn't CNAs do more menial tasks? I want to be in an ICU/ER, so hopefully the tasks won't be too insignificant : )

Do-over, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2013

Esme12 you make it sound pretty rough. I know it won't be easy, so I appreciate your words of wisdom. Wouldn't CNAs do more menial tasks? I want to be in an ICU/ER, so hopefully the tasks won't be too insignificant : )

I work ICU, and we usually have no CNA. At the most, we'll have one. The more critical the setting, the more the nurse is hands on (at least in my rather limited experience). None of it is insignificant, however. Even if we do have a CNA, most of my patients are at least a two person assist, so you are in there up to your elbows anyway. If there is no CNA, then the RNs have to team up to bath, toilet, repo, ambulate, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 27, 2013

When I see people wanting to become CRNAs, it usually is about the money. Do you know what they do and the sheer amount of responsibility they have? CRNA schools are extremely competitive with most wanting at least three to five years in ICU. In addition, many nurse managers won't look at new grads in the icu and suggest a year or two of experience in med-surg. If you are willing to spend at least seven years of your life to become a crna, then by all means go for it. But the new grad nursing market is extremely flooded so expect it to take even longer to achieve your goal.

And I also want to add that CRNA school is not like "medical school for nurses." Not in the slightest. I don't mean to be rude, but it seems you could seriously benefit from more research before dedicating yourself to this endeavor.

Good luck.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 27, 2013

Esme12 you make it sound pretty rough. I know it won't be easy, so I appreciate your words of wisdom. Wouldn't CNAs do more menial tasks? I want to be in an ICU/ER, so hopefully the tasks won't be too insignificant : )

Menial? Insignificant?

Yikes.