Extending my reach? Or pushing my limits?

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Pediatrics.

Maybe this is phase II of my mid life crisis? Or just a reasonable next step? But I am hoping fresh insight will help me decide... Should I go back to school?

Back story: Graduated in 2010 with my BSN at the age of 49. Two years in Pediatric Med Surg, hospital closed, I have been in my present job 4+ years as a floor nurse on Orthopedic/Med Surg floor.

I love my job, my patients, my co-workers, BUT I am 55 now and can see that floor nursing is not something I can keep up with forever. My right knee and my left foot tell me every shift that 12 hours of pounding up and down concrete/carpeted floors has a deleterious effect on my aching bones. And the stress. And the junk food I eat when I have to grab quick fuel and a real meal is impossible. All the usual complaints about nursing.

So, I have been thinking of the logical next step in my career path. I have no realistic ability to retire, I will be working up to age 70+, I am still paying student debt from my BSN for the next 4 years, and I am weighing the pros and cons of becoming an FNP. The work hours, the slightly slower pace and of course the pay raise are all very appealing, but does anyone know of any calculators that are available to determine if the years (I hope) I have left to work are justifiable financially versus the debt I will incur in school? Also, I am concerned about cognitive decline as I age. Am I being unrealistic about a career change at this stage of my life?

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Do you WANT to be an FNP? That's the critical question, IMHO. There ar plenty of other jobs in leadership, staff education, quality, informatics, etc

To figure the payback, calculate the time and cost of the program. Then calculate the pay increase vs what you'd make on the floor times the number of years you'd be working. See if there is a financial advantage. Looks like you have 15 years left to work.

I'm older than you, and I'm in an APN program. The program itself is about $30-40,000 and I should be able to make that back in ~ 3 years. I can also be working longer than I am planning to as a manager/director. Plus, I can work part time and earn some decent coin when I get older, if I choose.

I struggled with this question myself, but I figured that if I started the program and then changed my mind at some point 2-3 years later, that's Ok. But if I didn't do it, and decided 2-3 years from now that I really don't want to do what I'm doing anymore, I'd be stuck. No turning back time.

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Specializes in ICU.

Here's the thing, you are 55 and have no feasible way to retire, mainly because of debt you have from your BSN, and you want to go back and take on more debt? I don't see how that would help you.

I agree with the previous post and look at leadership roles or educational roles you can take on at your hospital or maybe another hospital.

Just a suggestion, but look up Dave Ramsey. He could really help you hit the financial goals you need to make in the next 15 years. I think he is great. He can teach you how to pay down your debt quickly and how to start saving.

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Maybe this is phase II of my mid life crisis? Or just a reasonable next step? But I am hoping fresh insight will help me decide... Should I go back to school?

Back story: Graduated in 2010 with my BSN at the age of 49. Two years in Pediatric Med Surg, hospital closed, I have been in my present job 4+ years as a floor nurse on Orthopedic/Med Surg floor.

I love my job, my patients, my co-workers, BUT I am 55 now and can see that floor nursing is not something I can keep up with forever. My right knee and my left foot tell me every shift that 12 hours of pounding up and down concrete/carpeted floors has a deleterious effect on my aching bones. And the stress. And the junk food I eat when I have to grab quick fuel and a real meal is impossible. All the usual complaints about nursing.

So, I have been thinking of the logical next step in my career path. I have no realistic ability to retire, I will be working up to age 70+, I am still paying student debt from my BSN for the next 4 years, and I am weighing the pros and cons of becoming an FNP. The work hours, the slightly slower pace and of course the pay raise are all very appealing, but does anyone know of any calculators that are available to determine if the years (I hope) I have left to work are justifiable financially versus the debt I will incur in school? Also, I am concerned about cognitive decline as I age. Am I being unrealistic about a career change at this stage of my life?

You might plan on working until age 70, but will your body cooperate? It only takes one "event" to change absolutely everything. I would probably look for something less strenuous and continue to use the degree I was already paying for instead of taking on more debt.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I vote to go for it.

I did my APRN education at 48, I'm 58 now and don't regret it at all. While others have pointed out that if you have a medical "event" you might not be able to work till you are 70, you still have to plan now at age 55 to work till then and by going back to school, your earning potential is much better.

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There are plenty of opportunities for an experienced nurse with a BSN. I found my dream job at 60.

I have an ASN, I work from home for an insurance company making 6 figures.

Work smarter, not harder ;).

Best of luck with your search.

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Pediatrics.

Actually, for the sake of brevity, I left out the reasons I don't expect to retire: divorce (after 25 years), move to a new state to start my new life and my career as a nurse, illness (resolved, I'm healthy now) and cherry on top, bankruptcy and the loss of a significant chunk of retirement funds.

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