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

d!gger · Mar 27, 2009

Yes, changing careers is f%$g terrifying. But in today's economy, it's increasingly the norm. The sooner you convince yourself you can do it, the better.

I'm a former sys admin.

I got into nursing at age 30 because engineering was failing to inspire me like it had in the past. I got sick of working miracles for managers who had no idea what I or my team did. (you'll find that in healthcare too, though not as much because of much stricter licensure laws). I got sick of managers who had no idea what my experience meant. Experience still means something in medicine. And because we have to get licenses, not anyone can call themselves a "nurse" or "Social worker" or "MD" or "NP" etc.... I love nursing. I'm hoping to do it for a VERY long time.

Paying for it? Hmmm... my recommendation would be a state school. But everybody's onto that, so competition will be stiffer. Take on a little debt as possible... especially in today's economy. Don't automatically assume credits from your original BS will carry over. None of mine did. It was tedious taking Chem again - you'll be amazed at how much it's changed since 1991! I remember we covered a whole year of 1991 chem in the first 2 weeks of my new chem classes.

As far as gender roles go, you'll encounter your own situations that you'll figure out how to deal with. And if you can't figure it out, post the question here! You'll have several responses (maybe not good responses or the kind of responses you were looking for... but responses at least). I honestly think there are other dynamics of nursing that can create even more awkward situations than the "male entering traditionally female career" dynamic - parents vs non parents, older vs younger nurses, thorough vs fast nurses, language barriers, etc. Gawd forbid you get two type A personalitiies that don't see eye to eye - it's like those verbal fistfights between people who use different flavors of Linux. Ike and Tina all over again!

I'd recommend you start collecting those pre-requisite classes now. Don't wait. The wait time here in CA for even the pre-reqs of the pre-reqs is 2 years in some places. My neighbor just started gathering her pre-reqs and she's got horror stories of what classes she couldn't get cuz they were all full.

Keep the faith. And if it takes you a while, don't get discouraged. Personally, I think the more time you have to digest the material, and your experiences, the better you'll be able to recall it when you need it.

dig

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2009

I'll be 40 in a couple of months and this summer will embark on the few prereqs I need for nursing school. I'm a lawyer, so I have already been through a haul with 3 years of law school and a 2-day bar exam. That's not to say the nursing school experience will come easy for me, we're talking a big change here. I think I am more excited about this career move now, my biggest obstacle is getting over the fact that I should have done this 15 years ago.

Keep going forward my friend, you'll be glad you did!

coachj · Mar 30, 2009

I am 45 and went back to school in 2000 for IT, right in the middle of my education the .coms fell, 911 hit and I had major surgery. I finished but never did land a job (did some consulting). I went to school full time, had a family, coached a youth soccer team 35 weeks a year and managed a 3.75 gpa. It can be done, but it is hard.

Now I have decided to go back to school again!

I will be taking A&P1, Dev Psy and Ess. Nutrition over the summer session then hopefully A&P 2 and Micro. bio. during the fall to finish my pre-reqs.

NJMEDguy48 · Nov 7, 2010

I am 45 and went back to school in 2000 for IT, right in the middle of my education the .coms fell, 911 hit and I had major surgery. I finished but never did land a job (did some consulting). I went to school full time, had a family, coached a youth soccer team 35 weeks a year and managed a 3.75 gpa. It can be done, but it is hard.
Now I have decided to go back to school again!
I will be taking A&P1, Dev Psy and Ess. Nutrition over the summer session then hopefully A&P 2 and Micro. bio. during the fall to finish my pre-reqs.

Coach J

Are you at all a visitor to All nurses anymore? I do have some questions for you.