First Post- Not a nurse yet... advice for an old guy?

[thecadman99]

I'm at a crossroads. I have a decent teaching job right now. In 5 years I'll have 20 years in the school system. I just turned 42. I have the opportunity to be an RN in 3 years. I'm already in the RN program having completed all my pre-req's . The classes are night and weekend for us working folks.

Here are the negatives I'm looking at:

1. I'm just about burned out on education. I'm tired of scraping to survive and it doesn't look any better for teachers anytime (15 years in the system and I still don't make 40k)

2. I'm old! I don't know if I can handle a career change this late in life.

3. I'm a technology guy- I teach CAD. I don't have a background in healthcare.

4. Teachers in my area are being let go due to a shortage of young people. Lots of us old farts around here though.

Now my question is this- Is it going to pay off?

Is three years of classwork, losing my weekends (24 hours of classes ever other weekend), classes after work until 10 on Mondays and not to mention all the work/studying going to be worth it in the end?

I haven't had any problems with the classes (had a 4.0 till Pharm) but I just don't know if there is a place for a 45 year old NEW RN with my skillset (I've been a DJ, a surveyor, and a drafter). I only took the classes to support my wife who was a phlebotomist for years but wanted to be a nurse. Now she is dropping out due to neck problems and here I am with the opportunity to keep going.

Are there any older guys out there who are new nurses who can share their experiences?

Thanks!

[Don2014]

45 year old new grad here too. After being downsized from NPR, I went into night weekend program at a local community college. I found that the night students were highly educated, focused and had little time for drama. I have a couple words of advice. Find a good group to study with; don't go through it yourself. BTW, I was not the oldest student; a couple were over 60 and both found jobs within a month of graduation.

You have a lot to offer the profession. But as others pointed out, it is a physically and psychologically demanding job. Get in shape and loose any extra pounds. Nurse salaries in my area start at 45,000 a year. You're not going to get rich being an RN, but if you keep going to school (for an MSN) and are willing to move around that will probably go up.

Teachers have great pensions and I hope you are not loosing any significant amounts of financial security by doing this move.

I just wanted to add that nurses inspire me. They are without a doubt the most intelligent, educated and caring group of professionals I've had the pleasure of working with.