any advice to male late 30's on entering nursing field?

RNCEN · Mar 5, 2009

I am in the same boat, somewhat. I am thinking of changing careers as well...from a master Jaguar (cars) technician to nursing. I am not passionate about my job, and hope to do something that I can feel good about. I am taking some prerequisites starting next week, and will apply to schools when they are complete. I have a BA, so I can skip a lot of courses. I am interested to see what some responses to your post are.

Good luck with your career change. There are others out there like you, myself included.

Psqrd · Mar 5, 2009

I am not sure that I have info that can help you decide but I did enter nursing at the age of 40 but I already had been working in health care for over 20 years. I did not work through nursing school as I knew the challenge of balancing nursing school and family would be just about all that I could handle. As far as finances at the time I went through school the interest rates on student loans were terrible so we set up lines of credit on our home equity. This worked out well especially since part of the interest paid becomes tax deductible. I have say it is the best job in the world, I suggest that before you make your final decision that maybe consider some volunteer work in a hospital to help you decide whether it is right for you .

Good luck

P2

watertower · Mar 5, 2009

Hi "Career Changes"

Thanks for your comments. I have started looking into the pre-requisites and have wondered about whether I could gain credit for any of them too. Particularly the math and english. I've heard though, that there is a time limit on that but I suppose that depends on where you go. I'll let you know what I find out in my particular circumstance, which may be a few weeks or so.

Good luck!

watertower · Mar 5, 2009

Hi Psqrd,

While I don't have any children, I realize I would have to work and do this at the same time. Do you think that is feasible. Also, when I went to college the first time (at 18, thus I had no clue what I wanted to do), my parents paid. Now, I have to figure out how to pay for it. I do wonder if you can get student loans that cover both the actual cost of tuition and living expenses (or at least enough so you don't have to work full time, but rather part time).

On the volunteering suggestion, I've done just that. I start "volunteering" at a hospice in a couple of weeks. Basically it will be keeping people company, helpiing with dishes, helping with errands and such. Do you think that will provide much insight? That was my hope.

Thanks!

RNCEN · Mar 6, 2009

I know what you mean about not knowing what you wanted to do when you were in college. I declared a major my sophomore year because I had to, not because I knew what I wanted to do. I was in the restaurant business (GM), and now the automotive industry (Jaguar technician). My degree is in criminal justice. :rolleyes:

I have no choice but to return to school nights and weekends. I have a full time job, a wife and 2 children...and a home to pay for and maintain. Did I mention single income household? My wife has been home with the kids for nearly 6 years, but will be returning to work in about a year.

I know it will be tough, but I have never backed down from a challenge.

lpn2icu · Mar 6, 2009

You remind me about my "past" life!

I got my B.S. in Engineering in 1993! Then I switched to nursing in 1998. I became an LPN in 1999. After working for an agency for about 6 months, I decided to move up and I entered a nursing program designated for LPN's only. I got my A.A.S. in nursing in November 2003 and I got my RN license in 2004. I have 3 years experience in geriatric care; 1 year in Med/Surg ICU and one year experience in Med/Surg Unit.

Nursing is not easy! It is a lot of interpersonal, organizational, and self evaluation skills!

If I could do it, why can't you? But I will never advise you to work full time while you are attending a nursing program.

As a male nurse/student nurse, you might/might not be running into problems. It depends on your luck! If nursing is what you wanna... Go for it!

Good luck!

doubleplay · Mar 6, 2009

I entered school when I was 38, my wife was soon to follow. I passed the NCLEX RN Wednesday. I would say it was the hardest thing that I have ever done (I come from a factory background painting cars). I think the payoff will be endless. My wife will finish in three months for respiratory therapy. I was able to work part time, but that was all. There are many ways to pay for school including some hospitals will pay for it if you have a job there. Nursing is not for everyone but if you have an interest its never to late. :smokin:

zaggar · Mar 9, 2009

I did various computer, network and sys admin jobs for 21 years, then went into nursing school. I graduate in May.

-Quite a change in careers, it's scary!!

I was scared during my first semester, when so many people were failing out of the program. Now I'm nervous that I might be forgetting something, but that's it. I'm sure I made the right decision. I don't miss computers at all.

-How to pay for it

Since I had a previous bachelors, there weren't any scholarships available for me (they don't like it when you are moving backwards from a BS to an associates). So, I put my school costs on a Visa card. I could only get away with that because my school really isn't all that expensive.

-Can you go to school for nursing (LPN or ADN) and work full time?

Some very few in my class are. Generally they are working nightshifts, and are always zombies when I see them. Most of us have part-time jobs as nurse externs, or are not working at all. I say just live off Top Ramen and macaroni and cheese for 2 years and then get your finances back in order after you graduate.

-What issues I may run into being a male and a nursing student.

I haven't seen many issues. The women tend to like it when I help them lift, and I don't have a problem with that. Some women don't want a male in the room when they are uncovered, others don't care. I strongly suggest you avoid any flirting or school relationships during your first semester (when they are weeding out the weirdos). Oh, and in case you didn't already know - anything you say to ONE woman you have officially said to ALL women. Mostly being a male is an advantage, since it's easier to stay in the no-drama zone.

My biggest advice is to pay attention to different floors you visit, work as an extern on, or do clinicals on. Find a place that is willing to teach you the job. If they aren't, then just move on. That first nursing job can either make you very happy or very miserable.

rvcnaguy · Mar 16, 2009

Hi Everyone! Great topic for me! I'm kind of struggling myself. However, my situation is getting out of health care altogether. It's interesting that there are a few computer guys here because that was the direction I thought of taking. Ive been a tech/C.N.A. at several different hospitals over the years. I don't know why I never really had the desire to be a nurse. I think alot of it is the stress and negativity around alot of hospital floors I had been on and just thought to myself the drama wasnt for me. I just do my job the best I can with patients and go home. Im in the place to where I feel I need to grow or go! School always had been tough for me and Im sure being older it wont be any easier. Thanks for the topic!

AznMurse · Mar 17, 2009

I'd say go for it. I went for my AAS in nursing when I was 29 (almost 30). Whilst I had a BA in Psych and was working as a full time Case Worker (Emotionally draining at times), I still went to school at night and weekend (clinicals) all the while keeping my FT day job. I went to a community college and paid for my tuition in installments so I did not have to take out a loan. It was a social suicide since I never had the time to hangout with my friends or do anything fun because I was studying all the time but it was all worth it because I knew my goal was to become a nurse and I did everything to achieve it. I did! RN since 2007!!! All the best to ya.

mursedino · Mar 26, 2009

howdy:

i'm basically of a similar nature...was a commercial photographer, had been for years, but was always interested in medicine. now i'm a level 1 nursing student (RN). hmm, advice:

finances: try to get placement in a hospital, many will help pay for your education. many banks now are unfortunatley, are disolving any student loans, (unless your able to get any pell/tap money). theoretically, nursing is a great 'bang for your buck' career. my 2 yr. degree will pay me more than my wife's phd gets her. do research on schools, the school i attend (community college - 2 yr.) )has a 97% pass rate on nclex, whereas the local expensive univ. (4 yr.) only has 81% pass rate. the school i attend, the instructors try to scare you, saying quit your job, say good by to your family and actually log the time we are in lab. i do work pt...overnites...a blessing actually, slow at night and that's when i can study! i do have twin boys, which try to understand, 'daddy has school too', but it's difficult. a few in my class work ft, but admit it's hellacious.

more men are entering the field, and i'm surprised by the amount of old students (like me)... guess it's the economy...open the want ads, either go into nursing or learn to drive a big rig.

i am the only male on my clinical rotation and it can be awkward (surprisingly not from pts, but from staff)... one cna tried to explain 'private area' to me being very flustered, i simply asked her,... on the count of three, let's say member together...after that, things were fine. and yes, tell one and your heard by all, all the staff at clinicals seem to respect me, and 'use me' - "muscles", but treat me fairly and appreciate my drive to learn, and especially my 'calmness' (us older gents are apparantly less 'spooked' or 'giggly' than the typical 19 yr. old female nursing student).

i guess like anything in life, just try to stay organized and look for support where you can get it (fellow students, this website - i hope (i just registered 2 hrs. ago), etc.). wow, it's that late already, i best finish my careplan!

hope i've helped. gl, dino