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.
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!
Go for the nursing degree. You're going to make $75k a year working ~36 hours a week. I'm in Texas, I made $91K last year, although I did grind out OT shifts when I was able.
You'll work less, get paid more, and have higher upside potential, all while having a more flexible schedule and more time with your family.
ThatBigGuy, I'm in Houston. I don't know if having an ADN makes a difference. I don't. But after the experience I had today I'm ready. Earliest I can get in is Fall 2019. I would love to ask you questions. PM me if possible (or if you want to).
... I never got my bachelor degree but am 13 classes away...
So is it a viable option at my age? How did you handle the salary drop after school? ... I personally didn't want to lose too much in salary. ...
Help...
I'm 52 and starting an ADN program in two weeks. Friday I worked with a male nurse that became an RN at 60. Where are I live, RNs start at a little more than what I would have been making if stayed with my cushy building maintenance job.
If you want a bachelor's degree, you might consider Western Governors University (WGU) after completing your ADN for the WGU RN-BSN program. That's my plan. I recently completed the WGU MBA-Healthcare Management program and was pleased with the school experience. Basically, with WGU, the student can complete their program as fast as their time and motivation accepts, at a reasonable all-you-learn tuition rate.
PeeWeeQ, ADN, RN, EMT-B
49 Posts
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!