I am seeking adice from anyone who is willing to provide it.
My husband is 42 yrs old and is thinking about fulfilling his dream of a nursing career. He has been in his same job for the last 20 yrs and always wanted to be a nurse but never followed through. He is not currently in the medical field. He is in good health and I think he would be great at it. We are financially stable and ready to take the next step.
Honestly, what are your thoughts? I would think it would take him about 3 yrs to complete (is that realistic). Would anyone hire a man in his mid 40's to be a nurse? Or should he just stay put and think about retirement in 15 yrs. in a job he doesn't enjoy.
He has always dreaded going back to school because he doesn't want to take all the GE requirements but just wants to get to the medical part but he knows he must do it to be an RN.
Are there any online classes just to get some of the basics out of the way? What are the suggestions out there? I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE FEEDBACK YOU CAN PROVIDE.
Tell him to go for it! There is a thread on this site that you may want to read. Search on "starting career late in life". Lots of people wrote in who are over 30, most over 40 and for all it was a completely different career change as they weren't in the health field. Also, having worked in IT for over 20 years and am now going for RN, I want to say that you can be burned out in 1 field but that doesn't mean you would be burned out in another field. Funny, but I've read lots of posts where people have many years in nursing and are burned out on nursing and want to get into another field and then I read lots where they are burned out in other fields and want to get into nursing. Ironic, isn't it! Anyway, life is too short to make yourself do something you really don't want to. He shouldn't worry that no one will hire him. He'll probably have to make a choice from several offers. (Isn't that a nice change for once). As to school, not sure if he's taken any classes lately but for me, I have a whole different attitude about school than when I was younger. I love it. And he won't be anywhere near the oldest person in his classes. I am doing the pre-reqs while I am still working. I don't have a lot of time but it helps with having the income until I start the nursing program. I have an 11 and 9 yr old. They are really great. It was no big deal with them that I go to school after they got over the idea that adults can go to school too and that I wouldn't be around as much. They are satisfied with the fact that it makes me happy and school won't last forever. In fact, I feel it is showing them that you're never too old to learn and follow your dream and that the end result makes all the sacrifice worth it. Maybe also have him look at the Male Nursing forum. I sometimes visit that one even though I'm female just to get a different perspective on things. Good luck.
Your question about how long it takes to complete nursing school is going to vary. I would say anywhere from 3-4 years is typical. It depends on the school and what their pre-reqs are, associates vs bachelors, waiting lists (if any), how competitive it is (most are), if he can go full or part time, etc Nursing school itself is 2 years, it is the pre-reqs and how long they take him to complete which will vary. I am 32 years old and am just now starting the nursing program (BSN), it took me 2 years of full time study to complete all my pre-reqs. His age is NOT going to be an issue, we have a lot of people going back to school in their 30's, 40's and 50's!! They are not the majority at my school, but us non-traditional students are definatly there!
The first thing you need to do is contact all the nursing schools in your areas and talk to them....find out what their pre-reqs are, how many people applied last year and how many seats they have, etc A lot of the community colleges have online classes for certain things. Some schools give preference points for students completing pre-reqs at their school (my school is like this).
Good luck!! And since there is a nursing shortage finding a job is not a problem at all. Also, if financing school is an issue there are student loans (my hospital will pay back $2000 a year towards my loans) AND if you sign a contract with a local hospital they will pay for books and tuition if you agree to work with them for X amount of years. Before signing up with just any hospital find out how the RN like working there, benefits, etc. This is something I am looking into for myself since my financial aid is running out....
A friend of mine who teaches nursing at a college told me also to check into the 'first-pass' NCLEX rate for each school I was considering. (for those who don't know this is the percent of how many of their student nurses pass the NCLEX on the first try). And I should add that to also make sure the school you attend is accredited. You also need to consider if the school will give you any scholarships or other aid and how much. Take all these things into consideration. And, if you do your pre-reqs at one school and then transfer to another for either your associates RN program or BSN, make sure you check at the school you are transferring TO to see if the classes you are GOING to take will transfer. Don't rely just on the word of the school you take them at. Chances are it will be ok but you want to be sure BEFORE you take the classes and waste your time and money.
I am seeking adice from anyone who is willing to provide it.
My husband is 42 yrs old and is thinking about fulfilling his dream of a nursing career. He has been in his same job for the last 20 yrs and always wanted to be a nurse but never followed through. He is not currently in the medical field. He is in good health and I think he would be great at it. We are financially stable and ready to take the next step.
I'll be graduating next summer. I'll be 47 when I graduate. I did a 2 year accelerated program at a college (I'm in Canada). Other than being told: 'Gee! Your older than my dad!' a few times too many :), the experience has been overwhelming in a very positive way. It has already been worthwhile for me.. and hopefully for my patients! I have never looked back.
Honestly, what are your thoughts? I would think it would take him about 3 yrs to complete (is that realistic). Would anyone hire a man in his mid 40's to be a nurse? Or should he just stay put and think about retirement in 15 yrs. in a job he doesn't enjoy.
Its hard work but doable. I am a single parent family with two adolescents and have managed well. I interviewed for jobs in december 2005 and already have a job lined up in a pediatric ICU. I can say that being older doesn't play against me at all. In fact, it has probably helped. Should he stay put for another 15 years in a job he hates!!! Anything but that. By the time I left my management job, I hated getting up in the morning to go to work... it was awful.
He has always dreaded going back to school because he doesn't want to take all the GE requirements but just wants to get to the medical part but he knows he must do it to be an RN..
I hated the thought of going back to school also. How would I cope? How would I be accepted by my younger classmates? Would I fit in? Would I have the energy to make it through the program? At my age :), I only have a 4-5 neurones left, would they find each other every morning and managed to synapse all day and let me learn something LOL It all worked out well. Doing something you love gives you plenty of energy. Determination and focus help you to get through exams and clinicals.
This is simply the most amazing gift I could have given myself... regardless of the fact many thought I had early dementia or a major mid-life crisis going on. My current success (fingers crossed) and comments from patients, fellow students and teachers let me know every day this IS what I should be doing. If this is what your husband wants to do, I say go for it.
I agree with the above responses. My husband graduated 1 year ago from an Accelerated BSN program at age 42. I graduated this past December and turned 44 at the same time.
If your husband starts now, he may be able to get some pre-reqs out of the way this summer (i.e. anatomy & physiology, nutrition, microbiology). The pre-reqs depend on the school and what type of program (ADN vs. BSN).
If this is something your husband really wants to do, I say go for it.
I work with a guy who is 36 and graduated this past May from a 2 year AD degree. He is an awesome nurse, his patients love him and respect him immensely. I am a firm believer that if your heart leads you into the path of nursing, you are meant to be there if you are willing to put forth the effort. I think it is awesome that he has decided to take a risk and perform a new career after so many years at a previous occupation. It is so easy to become "stuck" in one place because it is comfortable. I am also proud that I work in a field that anyone, any sex, any race, any ethnicity any age can find their own place and do well. Good luck to your family in this decision.
thyme39
85 Posts
Tell him to go for it! There is a thread on this site that you may want to read. Search on "starting career late in life". Lots of people wrote in who are over 30, most over 40 and for all it was a completely different career change as they weren't in the health field. Also, having worked in IT for over 20 years and am now going for RN, I want to say that you can be burned out in 1 field but that doesn't mean you would be burned out in another field. Funny, but I've read lots of posts where people have many years in nursing and are burned out on nursing and want to get into another field and then I read lots where they are burned out in other fields and want to get into nursing. Ironic, isn't it! Anyway, life is too short to make yourself do something you really don't want to. He shouldn't worry that no one will hire him. He'll probably have to make a choice from several offers. (Isn't that a nice change for once). As to school, not sure if he's taken any classes lately but for me, I have a whole different attitude about school than when I was younger. I love it. And he won't be anywhere near the oldest person in his classes. I am doing the pre-reqs while I am still working. I don't have a lot of time but it helps with having the income until I start the nursing program. I have an 11 and 9 yr old. They are really great. It was no big deal with them that I go to school after they got over the idea that adults can go to school too and that I wouldn't be around as much. They are satisfied with the fact that it makes me happy and school won't last forever. In fact, I feel it is showing them that you're never too old to learn and follow your dream and that the end result makes all the sacrifice worth it. Maybe also have him look at the Male Nursing forum. I sometimes visit that one even though I'm female just to get a different perspective on things. Good luck.