Career Changing

Published

Hello, folks. I am CJ. I'm a 43 year old married man with twin 5 year old boys. Currently I am a foodservice manager ($50k/yr). I genuinely want to be a nurse and there is a cc with a program within walking distance from my home. I never got my bachelor degree but am 13 classes away. I could get that but my main goal in wanting to be a nurse was time. I work now 60-70 hrs weekly and it kills my time with my family. I was a CNA for a couple of years I'm my 20's and it was great! I understand nursing as an RN is very different. I get no more joy in foodservice. After being a chef and everything else in a restaurant I want out.

So is it a viable option at my age? How did you handle the salary drop after school? Granted, I'm in a good boat as the wife makes more than i do. I personally didn't want to lose too much in salary. But I also want that precious little time with my family while the boys are young.

Help...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

If you can stay afloat, financially, while you're getting the degree...yes. I don't think your age is relevant to making such a change.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Administration/Level I Trauma.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Administration/Level I Trauma.

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Duplicate post...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in Houston, sir

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Administration/Level I Trauma.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult and pediatric emergency and critical care.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion