I am strongly considering a career change into nursing. I have been a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years and am ready to move on. There is a bridge program at a school near me for medic to RN. My question is about age, I just turned 44 so would be probably almost 46 before I finish. Does there seem to be newer older nurses? I do have emergency experience but don't wanna be fishing for a job after all that schooling. I know theres truly no way to tell, just looking for opinions. Thanks in advance.Mike
pmabraham, BSN, RN 2 Articles; 2,561 Posts Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care. Has 3 years experience. Jul 22, 2014 Good day, rewob716:I started my prerequisites last year at age 50; and finished them this past May. I start a RN program this coming January; if all goes well, I will graduate with a ADN in December 2016. You are still young ;-)Thank you.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD 9,051 Posts Specializes in Critical Care, Education. Has 35 years experience. Jul 23, 2014 In truth, the job situation for new grads, especially ADNs, is pretty dismal in many areas of the country, no matter what your age. Having to essentially start over - moving from confident expert to newbie - in a new career is going to be rough. IMO, you will definitely have an edge on other new grads if you are aiming for practice in an ED. Look at the big picture - Unless you win the lottery or hit it big in Vegas, your nursing career will last at least 20 years to take you through to retirement age. You can do this!
MrChicagoRN, RN 2,589 Posts Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care. Has 30 years experience. Jul 23, 2014 It sounds very doable.If I had it to do over, instead of EMT--> RN, I wouldve gone on to become a paramedic, done 20 years, gotten my pension, THEN become a nurse for the next 20 years or so.Do you need to put in 20 years as a firefighter for full pension?
erinberrin, CNA 84 Posts Specializes in Just starting out in a Nursing Home.. Jul 24, 2014 I'm 38 and have 2 years to go. I figure if I plug on I'll still have a good 25 years or so to offer the field of nursing..
erinberrin, CNA 84 Posts Specializes in Just starting out in a Nursing Home.. Jul 24, 2014 ..I tell you though ..the growing pains of it all..ugh..ugh..
NICU Guy, BSN, RN 4,129 Posts Specializes in NICU. Has 8 years experience. Jul 24, 2014 47 and I graduate with BSN in 13 days
crispycritter 51 Posts Jul 24, 2014 43 starting block 3 RN next month, your experience and background will give you a huge advantage in the job market. Go for it. For OP DON 1984 great job, congrats.
rewob716 8 Posts Jul 24, 2014 In my department its 25 years for full pension. I'm ready to move on. I'll rollover the $ I have and build on it with nursing.
