Career Change-confused!!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

I just turned 46 and I have been working as a Legal Secretary since 1998. I just recently received my NCCP (North Carolina Certified Paralegal) Certificate. Not finding any jobs, although I have tons of legal experience, they always find a way to say you're not the right fit. But, I'm not bitter about that. I have been wanting to change my career to the medical field since 2008! Lately, not sure if it's an age thing or my calling is calling me! I have spent the last year at a LTC facility visiting my father who has dementia. I have really grown, my desire to be a nurse has grown being there everyday. My question is do you think it's crazy to jump out there and quit my job, take out student loans so that I can attend the RN program....alllll programs are day only classes. I've talked to two nurses that did that and they are fine! I was all geared up to do it, but I let fear enter my thoughts :-(. All I know is 20+ years is a long time to sit at a desk (although I make decent money) and do nothing all day! I'm in commercial real estate and right now, it's slow! well it's always a little slow for me!

Next question, do you think attending a hospital that offers RN classes or a community college is best? I'm leaning towards the hospital..fingers crossed that I get accepted.

Thank you!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Thank you for addressing one of the points. In your honest opinion you don't think there was not one rude comment ?

I do not. I see honest, be-careful-what-you-wish-for, thoughtful responses. Some will likely see my post about OP understanding the CNA role, not necessarily the nursing role, as rude. I wrote that in direct response to OP's assertion that she had no need to shadow a nurse because she already knows what nurses do. Then she outlined how she bathes, dresses & toilets a parent and even cleans his room, thus demonstrating a knowledge deficit.

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Hey there mid-life I'm almost in the same boat as you. I'm currently applying to galen college after 7 years as a Federal Agent. I make a fantastic salary an have a guaranteed retirement after 25 years. But I'm looking for more. Those are about the only plus sides.

It's hard and crazy for my family to think I want to leave but after 7 years I've become disenchanted with this agency an since having several members of my family in the medical field nursing would be a good jump. Similar in sorts as a first responder seeing accidents to being there on someone's worse day of their life.

Changing careers is a difficult decision but it's one that only we can make for ourselves.i come one here to read posts of people who have made the change because it reminds me that it is possible. I finally joined and so far I have passed my pax an waiting for galen to review my fafsa to see if I qualify for federal student loans(which i hope I do). I'll be leaving a job to go to school full time for 30 months total while working a full time job to help pay bills an such. It's scary but it is doable. I've walked into impossible situations at work an emerged victorious so no matter how difficult this may seem now 1 or 2 years from now when people like us pass the nclex, then that will show you and other like you that it is possible. I'm in the boat with you, now it's time to jump overboard and see if we sink or swim,l, of course I know we will swim.

Good luck to you!

C317

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
I do more than the CNAs! I clean his room, change his bed, give him bed baths (respecting his privacy of course..) get him dressed...everything! So I have a pretty good idea on what the job would entail. I'm there 7 days a week, 2 and 3 times a day.

But have you had to provide this care for up to 20 patients...? I know a lot of people who can take care of their parents and don't mind it but what about taking care of someone else's parent? Can you do that with the same amount of gusto?

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I am also 46 and going to school to change careers! I started out wanting to do billing and coding, but decided Nursing is where I really want to be. I've been a secretary for about the same amount of time. I am currently getting my prerequisites out of the way, and will apply for nursing school next spring. I am scared to get out of my comfort zone but it'll be ok. I am currently enrolled in Tulsa Community College and will transfer to NSU to get my BSN. I thought about doing the trade school way, but decided this was better for me. If you can get in through the hospital - perfect!

Good luck to you!

Thank you! Best of luck to you also! It's good to know that I'm not the only person going through this sudden urge to change my career and follow my heart. Thank you for your positive feedback!

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But have you had to provide this care for up to 20 patients...? I know a lot of people who can take care of their parents and don't mind it but what about taking care of someone else's parent? Can you do that with the same amount of gusto?

Yes, I feel that I can give the same care to others as well. I have made more friends in that nursing home..LOL. I look out for other patients, for small things, of course. I don't do any personal care for them but whether they need a push down the hall, a snack, etc. just little things. I really get a great joy out of talking with them especially the ones with Alzheimer's, they're so sweet and special

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You have a very good understanding of what a CNA job entails. From the details that you have shared, you do not have much of an idea of what an actual nursing role consists of. Take the advice and shadow a nurse before you take loans and/or spend money on a new career. Nursing school is hard. Working as a new nurse is harder. And in some areas of the country, finding a job as a nurse can be the hardest of the three. Research your region's level of nursing unemployment. Ask those community colleges what their NCLEX pass rate it and what their job placement rate is.

Thanks

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If you want to be an NP then I would go for the associate degree program over a hospital diploma course. It will transfer easier.

Thank you!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

We had two nurses on our floor that left good careers (a dental hygienist and another was a secretary) in middle age to get their nursing degree. Both said it was 10x's harder than they expected (both nursing school and being a nurse) but both found it much more rewarding than what they'd been doing.

You sound like you would make a great nurse. You have a caring nature and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty. I think you'll only regret not trying. You should go for it but with your eyes wide open. Nursing is just plain hard whether it's taking care of ten patients at once or not getting respect. If you know what to expect and are tough enough to handle the difficult times you'll be ok.

If you have a hospital based program I'd try that as I would think getting to work and know people there would make it easier to find a job. No it's not an easy career but I've found the most rewarding things in life are not easy. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
sorry about that! didn't think of it like that! I will change it.

Never mind!

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@roser she changed her user name from mid-life-RN to aspiring_RN awhile back.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
@roser she changed her user name from mid-life-RN to aspiring_RN awhile back.

thank you - had not noticed.

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We had two nurses on our floor that left good careers (a dental hygienist and another was a secretary) in middle age to get their nursing degree. Both said it was 10x's harder than they expected (both nursing school and being a nurse) but both found it much more rewarding than what they'd been doing.

You sound like you would make a great nurse. You have a caring nature and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty. I think you'll only regret not trying. You should go for it but with your eyes wide open. Nursing is just plain hard whether it's taking care of ten patients at once or not getting respect. If you know what to expect and are tough enough to handle the difficult times you'll be ok.

If you have a hospital based program I'd try that as I would think getting to work and know people there would make it easier to find a job. No it's not an easy career but I've found the most rewarding things in life are not easy. Good luck!

Thank you Blue_Moon,BSN! That is the best advice and your assumption of me is 100%! It is a very rewarding career. I have a good job, but I get more gratification out of my day when I go visit my dad at the nursing home. I'm close enough to go on my lunch hour! So many days when I'm not doing anything at work, I go there just to boost my mood. I know that it will be challenging, the career and the schooling. But like you said, the only thing I think I'm going to regret is not doing it!

I had the perfect opportunity in 2008 when the economy tuned for the worst and I was laid off...unemployed for 2 years...my regret now, is that I didn't go then. I've spoken to the advisors at the hospital based program and she stressed to me the in depth education I would receive in comparison to the community colleges here and the accelerated BSN programs. But my goal will be to get my BSN, maybe my MSN. I'm just torn between which area I want to go in. I've always wanted neonatal but after being around patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia, I now have a strong desire to work in that area. It takes a special nurse/person to know how to care for them. There is always a nurse that just doesn't use the right tone with them (him). I also have always had an interest in surgical nurse as well. I just know that 20+ years is a long time to work and sit at a desk and not be utilized, having days pass by that you literally sit at your desk for 8 hours....surfing the internet. LOL. I have too much energy!

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