Am I too old to change career?

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Hello,

I recently got a LOW letter at work (an accountant) and i have tried to get another job for two months now, but all in vain. I have a bachelor degree and MBA. I am thinking about going for accelerated program in Nursing and I am 41. I have kids to take care of and wife is not working. I have some savings that might not be enough to sustain them if i should go full time. Please i need an advise if I am too old to for it or what do you think I should do? I am totally confused in this situation and do not want to hurt my family - not able to pay the bills or stuffs being thrown out of the house for non- payment. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

Adam

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We can't know your life. We don't know how much you have saved, both accessible money and money saved for retirement. If your wife could go back to work for awhile. How much the nursing program you are considering would cost. What the job prospects in your area are, both in your current field and in nursing.

We don't know why you are considering becoming a nurse. I would check into various programs and run the numbers. You should be good at that. Talk with your wife about what you are considering.

Look into the possibility of shadowing a nurse, what is required to get a tech/CNA position in your area. This could offer you a good look into nursing and if you want to pursue this degree.

Are you too old? No, but you are old enough to look and consider before you leap off. You are old enough to know your physical health and whether your body will tolerate newly entering a profession that can be very physical. Also, as an accountant you should be able to run the numbers and see how returning to school this close to retirement might impact it.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

41 is not too old as long as you are in good shape. You should get your wife to work. That would help. I went back at 38 and my oldest classmate was 53. Best of luck.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

Your not too old to study nursing. I have worked with new graduates older than you. However, I'm not sure what draws you to nursing. If it's work stability or better income, you need to look at the need for nurses in your state. Some states have numerous nursing education programs, and there is an over supply of nurses. You will find starting or new graduate salaries to be low. I know I have seen salaries in IL anywhere from $25 to $28 per hour. Perhaps not bad for a new graduate RN, but maybe not for an MBA.

If your return to school will effect your family, you need to get them involved. Is your wife willing to go back to work? Will your family support your desire to return to work? Are they willing to be without some luxuries, or willing to change their lifestyle to support you?

I'm sure there are some good and bad aspects in the accounting field. The same goes for nursing. It's not all about saving lives and helping people, although most nurses try to make this their main goal. I don't know much about accounting, but I can tell you most nurses clock in or punch in and out for work, just like many blue collar jobs. You may have to work nights, weekends. As a new nurse, you will get much less autonomy and respect than an accountant. Sometimes, the public thinks that they can choose a nursing specialty, and bypass an aspect of the job they dislike. But in flooded markets, you don't get to choose your specialty. Employers choose you for whatever, and movement from one area of nursing to another depends on luck, experience, networking, and career planning.

If you consider all these aspects and a nursing career still looks appealing, then my sincerest wishes for a successful career. You have a long way to go to reach retirment age.

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Thanks for your input. Of course I know what you're talking about and definitely wife is involved. Bless you!

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Thank you. It is definitely something i need to think twice before i leap. I do appreciate your time. Make it a great day!

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Thank you for your input. I do appreciate:)

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Just throwing this out there-- two months really is not a long time to be looking for work. Depending on your area, you could be looking for a new grad nursing job for that long or much longer (some here are looking for a year). If you're interested in nursing because you think it's easier to find a job in this field, you may be in for a rude awakening. There really is not a nursing shortage.

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On the other hand, an MBA + RN can open a lot of doors within healthcare.

Something to think about.

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You're never too old. At least you aren't a single mother trying to change careers. Situation different. Medical field jobs are abundant, with an MBA you can do administration (of some sort) also.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
mmaku2020 said:
Hello,

I recently got a LOW letter at work (an accountant) and I have tried to get another job for two months now, but all in vain. I have a bachelor degree and MBA. I am thinking about going for accelerated program in Nursing and I am 41. I have kids to take care of and wife is not working. I have some savings that might not be enough to sustain them if I should go full time. Please I need an advise if I am too old to for it or what do you think I should do? I am totally confused in this situation and do not want to hurt my family - not able to pay the bills or stuffs being thrown out of the house for non- payment. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

Adam

Take it slow and easy, deep breath. Get a job first, any kind of job. You need to first salvage your comedown from the LOW. Talk to your wife, see if she's willing to do the same. Do you have support systems for child care? You have "some" money so every penny needs to be spent judiciously.

Go to relatively inexpensive community college to do prerequisites. Pay as you go. Stay away from the BS loans. Don't do accelerated programs. Those are for people who are already nurses and are most likely working and having their tuition paid by their employer.

Realise this all will take time. But know that 41 is is nothing. Just got to get your ducks in row and come to grips with the fact that it's time to walk through another door.

Nursing has a lot of folks who are or were in your position. Adversity really is one of the hallmarks of where many nurses come from: survivors from the school of hard knocks. From your responses of thanks to the previous posters, I can say that the clan would be lucky to have such an accomplished person and gentleman.

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Military cutoff i believe is 42. So... Good enuff for government work!:up: Plus you will be an officer. Sign on bonuses ect.. You are not too old! Not by a long shot

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