Career Changing

Go for it, I see many second career RNs in the hospital. You'll have more time (36hr week) and earn more money than you currently make. Also factor in the earning potential with extra shift ability, overtime, shift differential, and critical shift pay....it's a no brainer.

Will it really be that significant of a salary drop for an RN position in your area? You say you are making $50k annually working 60+hrs per week. I would hope a nurse's salary in TX would be able to beat that pretty easily. As OldDude noted, making it through school is probably the tougher part from a financial standpoint.

I'm a late 30's dude with 2 young kids in the middle of nursing school after giving up a cushy office job salary, so I feel you on the fear of lost income. But it's doable at our age, you just have to be willing to step outside your current comfort zone and make some short term sacrifices for the long term gain.

I'm no worried about program duration. What I'm trying to get ready for is transitioning back to being a student. I feel like I need to contribute to my home finances. Financial aid is NOT an option either. I've saved for most of this. At the cc it's pretty cheap.

I'm no worried about program duration. What I'm trying to get ready for is transitioning back to being a student. I feel like I need to contribute to my home finances. Financial aid is NOT an option either. I've saved for most of this. At the cc it's pretty cheap.

Do you have all your pre-reqs knocked out and ready to apply? If not, getting those done will get you back in the school groove.

How about renewing your CNA license and picking up a per-diem or part time gig in a local hospital system while going to school? This allows you to both contribute a bit financially while in school as well as gaining clinical experiences and networking for that future RN job.

What part of of Texas will you be working? Provided it's not in a small town, you should see a nice pay increase.

Duplicate post...

I live in Houston, sir

I thought about that and was told I'd have to redo CNA class. There is a PCA position. And no biology classes done yet. Registered for A&P 1 this fall..

Houston and Dallas (including nicer suburbs) pay fairly well. New grads start around $25/hr, shift diff adds $3/hr from 3-7pm. Nights typically is $5/hr, and weekend varies by facility but say another $6-9/hr. All of these are stackable, so nights and weekends are the most lucrative. In addition with good performance you can expect 2-3% hourly raise a year at a larger facility.

If you want to be a nurse go for it. I doubt that you'd be making less as a nurse, especially if you pick up occasional extra shifts or work nights/weekends.

Nursing school does take quite a bit of time out of your life, but compared to working 60-70 hours a week you'll probably have more time with your family. Don't worry about age, there are plenty of second career nurses who started out in their 40s.

I'm 43 and I'm about to start my 2nd semester of nursing at our local tech school. I work full time and have 4 kids, so, its REALLY tough, but, if you are determined, you can do it!