Changing Careers At 42

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Changing Careers At 42

I'm 42 and looking to change careers and become an RN.

1. Initially I was focused on getting my BSN at a private school like Stanbridge or West Coast in California. I've read bad reviews from both schools but both schools also give me my BSN in 3 years with a hefty fee. 

2. Go the public school route, take all my pre-reqs which will take a year or a little over a year, then apply to public schools for a 2 or 3 year BSN. Cheaper, maybe better education harder to get into with possible waitlists or lottery system and a longer process.

My main concern is my age and I'm worried if I do the public school route it will take longer and by the time I graduate I'll be around 45/46.

I could also get my ADN , work as an RN and do a bridge program later to get my BSN. But everyone says BSN is better for working at magnet hospitals. I'm in Southern California. 

Any advice is much appreciated!

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I received my ADN a few weeks shy of age 50. I went to an inexpensive community college part time, while working. I didn't choose to go on to a BSN, but there are many options these days. At this point, if I were you,  I'd be concerned with the school's passing rate, and NCLEX passing rate. Be careful of accelerated programs unless you're an extremely good student. Some have lower pass rates. If you're normally a B student,  you may find yourself getting C's. Good luck!

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Any good school will be hard to get into. I earned my ASN from a community college.  The nursing program accepted 10 % of applicants. Just make sure wherever you decide to study is accredited to take the NCLEX.   The big question is why do you want to be a nurse? 

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

And, how much debt are you willing to incur for something that may or may not work out?

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Specializes in CEN, Firefighter/Paramedic.
Zakando Z said:

I'm 42 and looking to change careers and become an RN.

1. Initially I was focused on getting my BSN at a private school like Stanbridge or West Coast in California. I've read bad reviews from both schools but both schools also give me my BSN in 3 years with a hefty fee. 

2. Go the public school route, take all my pre-reqs which will take a year or a little over a year, then apply to public schools for a 2 or 3 year BSN. Cheaper, maybe better education harder to get into with possible waitlists or lottery system and a longer process.

My main concern is my age and I'm worried if I do the public school route it will take longer and by the time I graduate I'll be around 45/46.

I could also get my ADN , work as an RN and do a bridge program later to get my BSN. But everyone says BSN is better for working at magnet hospitals. I'm in Southern California. 

Any advice is much appreciated!

Started my RN at 40, graduated/licensed at 42, and starting by BSN this month at 43.

In this area, everyone will hire you with your ADN, some will make you sign an agreement that you'll get it within a certain time period though, but they pay for it.

My recommendation, get your ADN, start working, and let someone else pay for your bachelors.

Been there,done that said:

Any good school will be hard to get into. I earned my ASN from a community college.  The nursing program accepted 10 % of applicants. Just make sure wherever you decide to study is accredited to take the NCLEX.   The big question is why do you want to be a nurse? 

To be fair, I don't think it's like this anymore.  When we were doing a little "end of the program jam session" with the program directors, they told us that their current application period didn't even fill all the seats - and this is a respected program in the area..

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I wouldn't recommend it. Nursing doesn't pay good in my opinion. Travel pay isn't there anymore. It's hard work. No respect from patients or management. Been a nurse for 16 years and wish I would have picked radiologist, psychiatrist, pharmacist, or MD. something that pays good & adjusts to inflation nursing pay doesn't adjust. I saw a gas station paying assistant manger more than I make. 

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sunshine9403 said:

I wouldn't recommend it. Nursing doesn't pay good in my opinion. Travel pay isn't there anymore. It's hard work. No respect from patients or management. Been a nurse for 16 years and wish I would have picked radiologist, psychiatrist, pharmacist, or MD. something that pays good & adjusts to inflation nursing pay doesn't adjust. I saw a gas station paying assistant manger more than I make. 

Which kind of nursing have you been doing? Sorry to hear.

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Finishing an accelerated BSN program in So Cal in August and I am 45! It can be done. I did my prerequisites at community colleges and Southern CA University of Health Sciences…(super fast for getting you science requirements done) before applying to the ABSN program. If you count that time plus the time in nursing school it has only been 2 years and 7 months. I worked while doing all my prerequisites. An ABSN will not really allow you to work until maybe the last semester because it is VERY rigorous! But it is the fastest and cheapest private route I have found. If you want more info on the program feel free to message me! 

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Specializes in EMT, CPT-1, Fireline-EMT, Disaster Response.

I'm currently in my 5th week of my EL-MSN program at California Baptist University. I turned 50 on my 3rd day of class. Age does not matter if you feel you are able to do it. My prelicensure portion is 15 months, so I should be able to sit for the NCLEX arounf August/September 2024. Then while working I complete the Masters portion.

I would recommend doing your prerequisites now just to get them out of the way. I did mine at a local community college so there was basically no cost. If possible, look for  volunteer opportunities at hospitals/clinics around your area as you will need that or prior work experience when you apply to nursing school

I went the EMT route then worked in an ED for about 3 years before starting my prereqs (wish I did them while working).

If you already have a BS, you can look for an Entry Levels MSN program like me or stick to you plans and do the BSN. Because I'm older, I wasn't willing to settle for an ADN/ASN or BSN and have to start from the bottom with more school just to get the degrees. 

Currently I have plans to get my DNP and NP after my program, but who knows, I may change my mind.

Don't let your age stop you. If it's something you want to do, go for it. I chose to stop working while in the program but we have at least 5 people currently working part time. 

If you are looking to do the ADN/ASN to BSN bridge, I recommend RCC. That's where my wife went. She's been a nurse for 6+ years now and is a manager at a local Level 1 Trauma hospital. She was  39/40 when she went through the orogram

Good luck in whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

@Zakando Z I changed careers at 35. I made less money than my previous career for the first several years, but I was so much happier. Serious quality of life improvement. Only thing I'd change is doing it sooner. I went straight to BSN, but the ASN first, then BSN route is a very good option. There are plenty of places that hire ASN nurses. I'm in AZ and the pay here is better than other states I've lived. CA pays well too. You can make pretty decent money within a couple/few years if you're making strategic job moves and working a little extra. I hope you love nursing as a second career as much as I have  =^.^=

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Specializes in Student.

I just graduated with my BSN, May 12, and I turn 48 in August. My only advice is don't under estimate how hard nursing school is. Plus, the process changes you as person. So get ready for blood, sweat and tears. I say this, not to deter to you, but to encourage you. I don't regret my career change at all. Less money now, but my heart is happier than ever. ❤️ good luck. 

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sunshine9403 said:

I wouldn't recommend it. Nursing doesn't pay good in my opinion. Travel pay isn't there anymore. It's hard work. No respect from patients or management. Been a nurse for 16 years and wish I would have picked radiologist, psychiatrist, pharmacist, or MD. something that pays good & adjusts to inflation nursing pay doesn't adjust. I saw a gas station paying assistant manger more than I make. 

I understand what you're saying! However, I think Nursing is still a career where you can make a decent living and "make a difference". I do agree that you don't get paid nearly enough for all the hard work you do. Nursing is a tough job where the workload and other "distractors" aren't worth the pay anymore. I've been a nurse for many years and have witnessed the profession getting worse, and not better. Now, I am an educator, and often wonder "why" my students are choosing this field to go into? I don't think they truly realize what they're getting themselves into once they graduate. Nursing is very hard!! The patient loads are absolutely ridiculous and the disrespect from patients, families, peers, administrators, and MDs is intolerable!! If I were in my students' position, I would not choose to study nursing, just for the sake of my physical and mental wellness!

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