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.
Keep looking for a job. It took me over a year to get a (nursing) job. You have to pay your bills first, and then worry about school once that's taken care of.
I agree with the CC suggestion. If I already had a 4 year degree and an MBA, I wouldn't waste my time on a BSN.
And no, you're not too old. I had a close friend in RN school who was in his 50s and another classmate who had just turned 40.
I really wish ppl on here would stop giving bad advice and stop saying you won't be able to find a nursing job or the market is saturated. Unless they live all over the world they have no idea what they are talking about. I live in Texas and we have a huge shortage of nurses. I saw 5 ads for medical assistants today for one hospital and 10 ads for RNs at the other hospital. This doesn't count all the home health facilities that need help right now. So it all depends on where you live. Do some research and do what's best for you.
I went to LPN school with a male age 45. That was 8 years ago. He now is a surgical nurse. Never too old to restart. Oldest lady in my class was about 60.
I really wish ppl on here would stop giving bad advice and stop saying you won't be able to find a nursing job or the market is saturated. Unless they live all over the world they have no idea what they are talking about. I live in Texas and we have a huge shortage of nurses. I saw 5 ads for medical assistants today for one hospital and 10 ads for RNs at the other hospital. This doesn't count all the home health facilities that need help right now. So it all depends on where you live. Do some research and do what's best for you.
1. Not everybody wants to live in Texas. And since Texas is a low cost of living state, people who go to school in other markets can struggle to pay back loans on Texas wages even if they are willing to move.
2. A medical assistant job is NOT a nursing job and has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not there's a nursing shortage.
3. Not every advertised job is actually available. Some run permanently whether there's a position to fill, or not.
4. Not every available job is a good (or good paying) one. "Shortage" implies that you'll be valuable ...maybe even able to walk into a desired specialty with good pay and good benefits. In reality, the "shortages" are often in places that treat their employees so horribly that those employees don't bother sticking around.
5. I worked as a new grad in Texas. And while it wasn't too difficult to find work, new grad pay at my hospital went down steadily from the time I graduated to the time I moved away. With the increasing supply of new nurses available, the hospital no longer needed to be as competitive with pay and benefits.
6. As an MA (or MA student), you may not be in the best position to comment on nursing employment issues.
Specializes in Med./Surg., Diabetes, Med. ICU, home hea.
Adam: No, I don't think you're "too old." BUT, as an accountant, "run the numbers." You know, cost of program, cost of living while you'll be in school full time (likely, especially with the massive studying/homework, class time, clinical, etc.), loan repayment (if you're not paying cash for the education), etc. I would also look into the possibility of relocating; many places around the country ARE saturated with RN's. The less local demand, the more employers can demand experience in the subfield of they type of nursing they provide. For instance, in my area, we are TOTALLY saturated and getting a job without SPECIFIC specialization and experience is HARD (outside terrible places to work, i.e., re-posting the same position every couple of weeks or almost daily). The old saying applies, though: "were there's a will, there's a way."
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.
What's wrong with a single mom going to nursing school? Many, many of us did it and made it just fine.
OP, what will you be changing interview wise to obtain a nursing position? I'm just wondering. Nursing Degree does not equal immediate job like many think. You will still have to interview for a position. So that means resume and interview skills need to be on par.
If you really want to become a nurse, go for it. 41 is not too old. I just want to point out that switching careers is not necessarily the answer. I would think the experience you have in your field would be a plus to finding a new job in that field. So that's why I ask what you will be changing? Have you revised your resume? Have you thought about if you interview well or not? Those two things should be fixed first. If there are truly no jobs in your field, then you can look at a career change. But realize, nursing is a difficult job and it is a job. And it's not always a guaranteed job. I'm not sure where you are located, but thoroughly research your job market.
An ABSN is an expensive degree to obtain. Will it be worth it in the end? Will it pay off?
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
The REAL question, OP, is WHY do you want to be a nurse? If it is just because of money you might get your feelings hurt really quickly. It isn't about age as much as desire, willingness to work, and Christ-like patience. I changed careers and I can tell you, this gig isn't for the faint of heart. If you have healthcare workers in your family or friends REALLY pick their brains about what a day is REALLY like. I didn't have anyone and let me tell ya...the vision of what I had in my head vs what the job really is are two VERY different things. Good luck on whatever you choose!!
OP - I am a physical therapist but work alongside nurses all day long so I often browse this website. FYI I went back to PT school when I was 53 (in 2012). I had several job offers to choose from when I graduated. I think having some grey hair actually works to your advantage in healthcare, it makes you look more experienced and adds to your gravitas. So if you can swing it financially and really like nursing, go for it. BTW I also have a MBA and a couple of engineering degrees; PT is my 4th career, but who's counting? Those degrees and past work experience never came up as hindrances during job interviews.
1. Not everybody wants to live in Texas. And since Texas is a low cost of living state, people who go to school in other markets can struggle to pay back loans on Texas wages even if they are willing to move.
2. A medical assistant job is NOT a nursing job and has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not there's a nursing shortage.
3. Not every advertised job is actually available. Some run permanently whether there's a position to fill, or not.
4. Not every available job is a good (or good paying) one. "Shortage" implies that you'll be valuable ...maybe even able to walk into a desired specialty with good pay and good benefits. In reality, the "shortages" are often in places that treat their employees so horribly that those employees don't bother sticking around.
5. I worked as a new grad in Texas. And while it wasn't too difficult to find work, new grad pay at my hospital went down steadily from the time I graduated to the time I moved away. With the increasing supply of new nurses available, the hospital no longer needed to be as competitive with pay and benefits.
6. As an MA (or MA student), you may not be in the best position to comment on nursing employment issues.
7. I do agree with you that research is a must.
I would also add:
8. People are speaking from personal experience. Just like anything else on here, the OP can take what helps and leave what doesn't apply to him.
9. The market really is saturated in many areas, and new grad RNs not being able to find jobs is a real thing. Just because it's not happening in your area of TX, doesn't mean that it's not happening elsewhere. If being able to find a job after graduation is important to the OP (and I can't see why it wouldn't be), then that kind of input can help him decide whether or not it's worth it to make the career change to nursing.
Thank you all for your input and I do appreciate it. Right from the time I was in college, I have always wanted to go into nursing school or anything medical - but got discouraged from peers. Each time I think about about medical field, I feel like I am missing out something to make my career complete. Back to my LOW letter received, I have been searching for a job and having some interviews here and there, but nothing positive yet. Reason why I wanted a career change - I never went to school for accounting, instead it was all about business and MBA. How I got into accounting job is a long story and since I am good with Math I fell in love with it. I am looking at the future for my family - a career that I know it is always in demand. I have thought about physical therapy, respiratory therapist and many others. Just weighing in my options and would not like to stay in school any longer. I have been going to school for over 12+ years, and for that I would like to concentrate on the family side fully since I am already in my 40s. Overall, I will once again, say thanks for the inputs and keep them coming. Least I forget, Yes, I do reside in TX and I am glad you guys mentioned that here.
caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN
312 Posts
Keep looking for a job. It took me over a year to get a (nursing) job. You have to pay your bills first, and then worry about school once that's taken care of.
I agree with the CC suggestion. If I already had a 4 year degree and an MBA, I wouldn't waste my time on a BSN.
And no, you're not too old. I had a close friend in RN school who was in his 50s and another classmate who had just turned 40.
Best of luck with your decision.