Entry-level nursing and prejudices (need advice on career change)

[leenak]

I have been a member of allnurses for quite a while and I enjoy it quite a bit but as I'm nearing the end of my pre-reqs (currently have a 4.0 in pre-reqs), I would like some advice from current nurses.

I'm in my mid-30s, currently working in IT with a need to change careers. I'm tired of sitting at a desk all day, staring at a computer screen. I really want to be involved with patient care. My primary concern is that I may face prejudice, not only for my age but my weight. I am obese and although I've lost quite a bit of weight, people may just see me as someone who may not be up to the job.

I have always been physically active and I tend to tire out other people whenever I go with them somewhere. My husband, who is a runner, seems to be the only one that can keep up with me. I walk, I hike and I try to be involved in various physical activities. I also lift weights beyond regular walking so picking up 50, 100 lbs or more is really not a challenge for me.

I also know there are different aspects of nursing. I am interested in public health and working with underserved populations and am also interested in eventually becoming a FNP. I'd like Nursing seems like a pretty flexible career and I think that I could find my niche.

Then the fear of not being hired due to my age and weight creeps in. So I wonder, if there is something else that I may consider doing? I considered the idea of physical therapy but I'm not sure that interests me. I also have started looking into Occupational therapy which seems like an interesting career but it doesn't seem to hold the same attraction as nursing.

So give it to me straight, do I have a chance in nursing? If not nursing, then what other options? I already have a BS degree (and an MS but that doesn't matter in the career change). I was planning to go for a BSN but I'm pretty flexible. If I needed to get a Masters, then I'm willing to do that.

[33762FL]

Age and weight discrimination exists in ALL fields. I see no reason why it would be worse in nursing than your current job, IT. The red flag here has nothing to do with your age or weight, but the fact that you'd be a new nurse competing with tons of other new nurses, for precious few jobs. I'm in my mid-30's as well and I can tell you that one of my main concerns is if I will be able to retire in a few decades, and I wouldn't put my current career in jeopardy if it's lucrative and allowing you to save for your retirement. I started nursing school at 30 with little to lose (didn't need student loans, had no existing debt, had a desk job career that was not lucrative nor even viable anymore) so nursing was a good move for me, personally. But depending on your personal financial situation, it may turn out to be a huge setback leading to debt and unemployment. I'd consider carefully, even if you don't enjoy the desk job (you've only got what, 25-30 years left at it?) it may be the best long term option.

[leenak]

I know all fields experience age and weight discrimination but I figured nursing might face more weight discrimination due to being a more active career as well as being a health advocate.

I know it may be naive but I believe the economy ebbs and flows and although it is a down time right now, it will change. I have saved up money from my current career to pay for nursing school or whatever school as well as some living expenses. I also have a husband who supports my career change. I know it might be tight but if we had to, we could live on his income alone. So if I got out of school and couldn't find a job, as long as he had his, we would be ok.

I just can't see myself being in my current career in 10 years, let alone 20-30. I figure if I'm doing something 40-50 hours/week, I might as well do something that I want to do rather than wait for retirement, which is what a lot of people seem to do.

[perioddrama]

Good for you doing a career change.

Just be prepared, depending on how fast (or slow) the economy picks up, there will be stiff competition finding a job. But that's for later!

Get yourself into nursing school (good job on your prereq grades) and worry about everything else later. :)

Good luck!

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you have a boatload of courage and determination. Look, if you know you can do the job then go for it full speed ahead. Bring good energy and positivity to your interviews. Good luck! (By the way, almost no one is perfect, and my unit has hired more than a few nurses who dont look like Barbie. Personality of the nurse IMO is way more important than what she/he looks like)

[sauconyrunner]

As you have seen I am sure, there are nurses of all shapes and sizes. I finished Nursing school the year I turned 30. I had no issues getting a job (of course there was a HUGE shortage then.) I think a lot of it is how you present yourself, to an extent. If you are a well put together overweight person, you'll get that job over a skinny person who presents themselves as scattered or not neat.

I will also be 1005 honest with you. I worked in an Emergency Dept for years and was very overweight. Even though I regularly carried 6-8 patients in my assignment (we did not have assigned rooms) people did seem to say that I was lazy. I became a traveler and worked overseas and lost about 60 pounds. I then returned to exactly the same job, and suddenly had rave reviews from everyone. So the prejudice is there. But it might be there for any job. Kudos to you for losing some weight and taking on a new career! you can do it. Feel free to PM me if you want/need support as you head into your new career!