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Discussion

former architect . . .

. . . looking at a possible career change. Male, 44 years old, family (2 boys, 6 and 9), and unemployed for 1 1/2 years now. I began taking a cursory look into nursing 2-3 months ago, talked with a neighbor about it (he and his wife are both nurses), and i'm very intrigued. But also somewhat concerned.

Mom's a nurse so i'm familiar with the occupation, and no problems about being a guy in a predominantly female profession. Not skittish about bodily fluids, being easily grossed out, or dissuaded by the occasional downsides and less-glamorous aspects of nursing. I enjoy working with people and feeling like i'm making a contribution (was a director at an urban renewal non-profit 4 of my last 5 years of employment). Just more concerned about the age thing, the finance thing, the 3-year college thing. The complete change of life thing.

Am currently looking into a local community college program with an associates program that allows graduates to sit for the RN exam. Inquired about an accelerated BS program at another college, but that won't work. The community college would require prerequisites during the summer and fall, and then sitting out until the regular courses started the following fall. One idea was to look into getting an STNA or PCA license and working somewhere during the interim to build up a small resume. But i don't know if that's realistic.

My biggest problem is with the numbers. The wife has a decent job (textbook editor), but we can't exist on just her income. My parents can help out, and we might be able to stretch things if i can get work until the program starts. But 2 years of school while a) not earning income and b) accumulating student loans is a double whammy. I've heard numerous stories of people making career changes into nursing, but i don't know how they manage financially. i'm looking for something for the long haul (around 20 years), but right now it seems like staring into a long, dark tunnel.

Some other concerns are about hospitals looking more for nurses with BS degrees, the difficulty of new graduates finding jobs, and if nursing is a profession someone can do into their 60's. Just wondering if there were some similar experiences/words of wisdom out there.

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    I would start out with a CNA certificate while you are taking prerequisite courses. You can work as a CNA and it will be some income, although not much. Then you might consider an LPN program at the community college or through an adult school or regional occupational center. That would lead to higher pay and a leg up on RN school admission. LPNs can generally get admitted to RN school faster through an LPN to RN bridge program. You can work as an LPN during RN school and make a decent living at it. Your ultimate goal should be a BSN. Best to enter a BSN program if possible so that you don't waste time, money, and extra effort going for a BSN down the road. While you certainly won't be overloading the bank with your CNA earnings in the beginning, at least you will have started back working and your work will play a part in your future career. Good luck on the start of your road to nursing.

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    Don't worry about he BSN thing. There are still plenty of jobs, esp for someone with a professional background, you just have to be willing to search and settle.

    Loans, loans and more loans. Work your butt off once you get your RN and use the OT to pay them back.

    My wife and I ended school $110k in debt. Considering we grossed $60k a year combined pre RN and now gross $170k year now, those loans don't look so bad.

    There are Nurses running around in their 80's I kid you not. Our PICC nurse is 80ish and we have a floor Nurse in her 70's and a RRT in his 80's.

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    I think I was 40 when I finished nursing school. I was a middle school teacher, had three kids at home, amd my wife is a music teacher, so I think I know a little about where you are coming from. I already had a bachelor's and master's degree, so I wasn't interested in a BSN. I took prerequisite courses for a year while still teaching school. I already had a second job working nights and evenings at a psychiatric hospital as a counselor, which I was able to turn into a full time night position, which also had some tuition reimbursement for a benefit. I remember my advisor at nursing school recommending that I not work full time, and I agreed with her, since I was working overtime.... . Some of my credits from my previous degrees carried over and were accepted to fill nursing requirements. I tested out of one class (sociology) and did an online course for ethics. I think the only classes I needed to take besides the nursing classes and clinicals were A nd P and micro. For those I found classes that met once a week. Luckily for me there were several branches of the community college system, so I looked around and found classes at two different campuses that fit my schedule. And I had to go to the local adult learning center to get credit for High School chemistry. After 20 years I had to admit that my high school guidance counselor was right - I did need that course!

    It was a busy two years, but not much more so than teaching school and holding down a second job had been. Community college was nice because there were other people in similar situations. I graduated with about $8000 in debt. I definitely had to budget my time, and be strategic about my studying.

    I remember people telling me I would have to work 5 years in med surg before I did pediatrics - not true. I applied for jobs that listed BSN as one of the requirements - I found that my bachelor's and master's degree along with the Associates in nursing got me in the door. As far as preperation I was at least as well prepared as other new nurses who were starting out with BSNs. I work in a major urban pediatric hospital now, I make much better money than I ever could have in education, and I like the work better.

    So, I am sure things have changed in the last 8 years, but I would say it definitely can be done, if you are willing to work for it. And for me at least it was well worth it.

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    I'm a 40 male already applying nursing school (LPN).

    There are several of us guys looking and or doing a change into nursing.

    I did notice in my orientation group there were several older lady's and one other younger guy.

    Good luck to you.

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    My situation was very similar to yours and I've now come out the other side and have been working for about 6 months. I'd be happy to discuss details with you via PM but generally, how it worked out for me was to take out a 2nd mortgage on my house to finance my loss of income while I was in school.

    Your age is not an issue. I was 44 when I started nursing school and found it to be nothing but an asset in dealing with my fellow students, my instructors, and the staff at our clinical rotations. Being an experienced professional, you already know how to carry yourself in the workplace... you'd be surprised at how many young 'uns haven't figured that out, yet.

    Your gender is also nothing but an asset. I've found the vast majority of female nurses to be very welcoming of men coming into the profession (the L&D area being the one notable exception).

    It will be a strain on your family, to be sure, but it is manageable.

    Perhaps the most serious consideration should be the difficulty encountered by most new grads in finding employment these days. If your expectation is that you'll land a job immediately following graduation, you may be in for a rude and painful reality check.

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    • Experts

    Hi, I started LPN school at 40, paid my community college tuition out of savings and worked a min of 30 hours a week through LPN, ADN and then the BSN program. No debt, no regrets. I'm not a big fan of getting a CNA license because the pay is so lousy for someone with a professional background. Good luck.

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    • Author

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm amazed by all the other people who've been in similar situations. Just wish i could climb in the way-back machine and do it all right the first time, rather than getting hit by a combination jab/uppercut of a horrific economy and job disatisfaction (architecture is nowhere near as glamorous or lucrative as many people imagine). 8 years of college and a 17-year career, poof.

    Will meet with the college counselor in a few hours. Already know i'll have to take a couple pre-req chemistry classes (yikes), and will see if there's anything else also. Hopefully it'll be good news. These are all great perspectives on everything . . . glad i ran across this site!

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    8 years of college and a 17-year career, poof.
    Yep, I hear you.
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