Hi. Actually the title of the thread isn't all that descriptive but you can't fit a paragraph into the thread title anyway, so...
I'm 40 and most of my life's work has been in sales. I'm very good at working with people and finding a way to fulfill their needs. I was in management for 12+ years and it involved running the business and working with clientele and all the other various things involved in keeping a business successful. However, the economy has taken its toll and I've found myself out of work. Fortunately I have enough money to see me through hard times though.
What does this have to do with a career in nursing? Well, I met an RN about a year and a half ago and we almost got married. Unfortunately that didn't work out but one of the things I took from that relationship was the observance that her job was really interesting. She worked in the ER and when she came home from work I always wanted to hear her stories and rarely was she at a loss for words; something always interesting happened during the process of caring for patients. Finally one time she asked, "why don't you think about becoming an RN?"
At first I didn't consider it but over time as I've learned a little about nursing, it's something that I have come to want to do. I've always liked the sciences; biology, anatomy, physiology, etc. And I also like to work with people. I also have a weird sense of humor and some of the stranger things I've heard have come from the medical field.
Now, the thing is, I'm 40 years old I'm a man and I have no experience in the medical field. And realistically, by the time I got my license, I'd be close to 43. I do have the time to go to school and I'm okay financially to support myself while doing so. I would really like to get into nursing but I'm concerned about getting a job when I get out. Traditionally the field is female dominated but certainly not exclusive. That's a lesser concern; it's the experience and age that worry me.
I'd really like some advice and related experiences on this. Thanks for any and all input. :)
Specializes in Chiropractic assistant, CNA in LTC, RN.
I just passed my boards this month and I'll be 46 in March. I'm way more focused, have better organizational skills and time management skills than I did when I was younger, and have way more life experience. Maturity should make you a better nurse.
Go for it.. I'm male, and at 40 left my 15 year management / marketing career and went back to uni to complete my RN degree. I'm now 43 and just starting a graduate nurse program. Like you, I had friends that were RN's and were always fascinated about their professional lives. I really enjoyed the study, and took part-time casual work as a theatre tech while at uni. It gave me an insight into the workings of a hospital, and now that I've finished, they've taken me on as an RN. I'm in Australia, and I'm assuming you're in the US, so it may be different there, but I suggest you seriously consider following your instincts. Good luck....
I am 45, in my second semester of Nursing School, willspend time on my BSN afterward, and may continue beyond that...we will see. You are not too old to do it. You can take a CNA class at a local community college. I did mine during summer and it was an 8 week class. I am a firm believer in RN's spending time being a CNA or LPN so that they get a taste of what that job is like as well. I am not implying that one cannot become a nurse without any experience, BUT it would do anyone well to get some anywhere it can be had! Age is not a concern in the nursing field IMO, what IS important is whether a person is suite to being a nurse, not merely passing the classes and boards. That said, I also believe that an older person can be a much more "seasoned" nurse, speaking in terms of life experience for which there is no substitute. My $.02
Nursing is a very rewarding field of work to be in, despite the negativity the industry does get at times. Sure, there are bad days in the job, some where you almost want to just pack it in, but i think all jobs have days like that no matter how great the job may be. There are so many different things you get to do in the nursing industry too and you meet so many different people, experiencing new things and getting to help people every day, it is a great feeling. A site such as http://www.nursingstudenttutor.com/nursing/nursing-opportunities-for-men.html may be able to help you out some more when it comes to jobs in the industry for men in more detail.
I hope this thread is not to old to reply to. I have been wondering the same thing my self as I am an older student (48yrs). I too am making a career change. As a former electronics field engineer, I felt I spent most of my adult life in airports and hotels in far away lands, like China (Sure it sounds fun, but gets old).
Anyways, I have spent the last 2 years completing my gen eds and major preps. My concern is whether my age will affect my acceptance into nursing school based on my age, and if I don't get accepted into nursing school then what? Two years of classes that would not get me a job as the ditsy chick on Becker. I have already changed my major once, and I refuse to change it again as I do not want, and can't afford to be a career student.
Has anyone experience with how nursing schools select candidates? SDSU seems to use a point system, ie. GPA=60 points, TEAS score 15 points, Past clinical work 15 points, etc. I am wondering if they consider course work, for example; I took the upper level chemistry like chem 200 and 201 as opposed to chem 100, I also took upper level o-chem 230, and many Bio and upper level math classes like calculus. Are these classes somehow considered in the equation?
I guess if all else fails, I can go back to living in airports and hotels as an FE.
I was a quota bearing outside sales rep for 15 years. I saw the economy tanking in this area around 2006 and in 2007 started my pre-reqs.
I graduated from an ABSN program and passed my boards just before I turned 40.
The job market here is tough (about 20% unemployment or higher) because the downturn increased the labor pool while at the same time decreasing the number of hospital beds. Long term howver I still think the future is bright.
I haven't seen much agism (the average nurse is in her mid-50's if I recall correctly) and men have been welcome in all but one unit I've worked on.
The one that wasn't specialized in womens medicine (gyn surgery, mastectomies) and the unit manager felt that women wanted to be cared for by women. I pointed out that this kind of gender discrimination would not be tolerated if it were reversed. She basically said "Yep. How about that?" I didn't really mind, it was the least favorite of my rotations anyway.
No one had a single issue with me or men in general on my OB rotation.
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Cardiac/Renal, Ortho,FNP.
Remember this...you're going to be 43 in three years no matter what you do. You can either be a 43 y.o. RN or a 43 y.o. salesman. Which sounds better to you? Age & time only matter to other people when they judge you, don't pre-judge yourself.
I'm 40 and a on my 3rd career (including sales). It all helps and believe me in the health care field having people with communication and customer service skills is NEEDED. If you can communicate you're actually ahead of the game...whether or not you're a health science oriented student-don't know 'til you try. You can take a different route and do the LPN/LVN 1 year program somewhere (so you're not out of the workforce too long) and then do Excelsior College (if you're state recognizes them). If you really study hard you can knock out their 7 tests in 6 weeks or less and you'll wait for the clinical exam (6 months or so). If you fail it you're screwed but passing is doable and in the meantime you're still working and earning a living possibly as an LPN/LVN (even part-time) and getting the necessary experience to pass the CPNE (Excelsior exam) and exposure to nursing to see if you even like it. If you don't then you can bail after the LVN w/o committing to a brick & mortar RN ADN program.
paacollins
258 Posts
I just passed my boards this month and I'll be 46 in March. I'm way more focused, have better organizational skills and time management skills than I did when I was younger, and have way more life experience. Maturity should make you a better nurse.