Need help deciding to go from social work to nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everybody,

When I first went to college several years ago, I went to nursing school but quickly changed my major when I chickened out of some science classes. At that age, I was more interested in having fun at college than studying. I did end up getting a Bachelor's Degree and then more recently got my Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. I have worked in a few different career fields. Most recently, I have been a Hospice Social Worker and also worked as a Vocational Case Manager in the worker's compensation field. In both of these fields, I work very closely with nurses. I feel like a nurse more than a social worker and just really want to do nursing. I did go ahead and apply at three different nursing schools that offer the ADN. My question is I am 47 years old and if I go to school, I will be 49 years old when I get out. I am very healthy and most doctors tell me that I will live to be 100 years old. Also, I have longevity in my genes. When I way the pros and cons of nursing, the pros win out. I love everything about nursing and see everyday what they do close up especially in my Hospice job.

Anyway, do you all think I am too old to do this? And if not, do you feel my background will be helpful to me in becoming a nurse? Thanks for your help.

Specializes in Cardiac ICU.

I believe that if nursing is what you really want to do, then you should. It seems like you already answered your question when you say the pros outweigh the cons. I would go for it. I feel that any experience you have in patient care will ALWAYS increase your chances. As far as beeing too old, that's just an excuse (you are NEVER too old). Heck, I went to nursing school with women older than that. Believe it or not, they were alot smarter and more dedicated than the younger generations. They did very well in nursing school.

I will not sugar coat anything, nursing school is very hard (but so is everything else). It all depends if you want to climb that mountain. It's all worth it when you check the ABN website at 8am on the second day after you take your NCLEX and there your name appears with your license number. You will then say it was all worth it...then you will cry because the long journey is over.:)

I wish you the best of luck. I would also bet that with your experience you already have, you would make an awesome nurse.

You will still be 49 yrs even if you do not attend nursing school. The floors are very hard on your body. Although I do it 5 days a week and have a perfect attendance record every year. So yes it can be done at your age. I say go for it and good luck.

RN,

Thanks so much for your feedback. I really appreciate it. I do think my experience working hand in hand with nurses will be beneficial to me going into the program. I have so much respect for our nurses and really do want to do it. Thanks again for your response.

Yes, I completely agree with RN for Tide!

If you really want it you will achieve it! I went through the same fears because I'm 37, I have two small children and honestly I don't know if I can survive nursing school. But I'm tired of pushing it aside and finally realized that this is want I really want to do with my life!

And YES RN for Tide....I can't wait for the day I will find out the results....I'm sure I will cry for hours!

But for now I will sit tight and dream a little bit, since I just started taking some classes and I have a loooong way to go. I love reading all these inspiring and amazing stories and I admire each and every one of you for touching the lives of people in so many ways. I know I will be very proud to join forces one day and finally be a nurse!

Thanks,

Kika72

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I appreciate again all of the responses even the one that told me not to do it. One thing about my career now is that I have a Master's Degree and can't hardly make over 15.00 per hour. Social Work has been rated the most stressful occupation for the least amount of pay and believe me it is very thankless many times especially for the low pay and high education you have to have to be in it. Also, for my occupation, I am being asked to go back to school to get a Michigan license. When I compared the schooling for my job versus nursing (something I have always wanted to do) I think it makes way more sense for nursing because at least I could get paid for the stress and I really do like the nursing aspects. I work side by side by the Hospice nurses on visits and have helped do many not so pleasant tasks to assist the nurses. I used to work as a nurses aide many years ago with individuals with quadriplegia and at a nursing home and I loved that job, even though it meant giving enemas, doing cathetirs (internal and external),bathing, dressing, cleaning lots of crap, vomit, etc. I did not mind any of that work. I also have a great understanding of medications, and other areas that nurses need to know because of my Hospice job and my workers compensation experience working side by side with the nurses.

No matter what anyone says, age is just a number. If you feel up to it, then do what your heart wants. You're never too old to make yourself happy.

Hey, the good thing is, if it doesn't work out, you DO have something great already to fall back on.

I say "go for it". I too have my Masters in Social Work and worked in Hospice for 7 years and then another 5 years with an adoption agency. After spending some time staying home with my two kids, I decided to pursue my nursing degree. I felt that my social work background would work beautifully with nursing. I haven't regretted the decision. Also, I am also 44 years old. The thing about nursing that is great is that there are so many options out there. Right now I am doing cardiac nursing, but I will probally pursue hospice nursing in the future. I also have an interest with diabetic teaching, so I may end up in that area eventually. As a previous medical social worker, there is only usually one position in a hospital; whereas with nursing, you can have the benefits of various units and you will definitely utilize your social work background as a nurse. There are many instances as a floor nurse when I do put on my "social work" hat along side my "nursing" hat.

Thanks again everybody for more responses. Cindylou, I am glad another social worker is on here who chose to go into nursing. I have always been told that going from a Medical Social Worker to a nurse is a complementary transition with the knowledge a medical social worker can take to nursing. I also know there are so many more opportunities for nursing everywhere. I now see jobs for social work supervisors and these jobs sometimes want an RN credential. I have seen many non nursing jobs that require the RN credential and I can't see where anybody can lose to have that credential.

Specializes in Psychiatry.

If I had to "do over", I would probably would have been a social worker (or a shrink). :D

But, I DO enjoy working hospice care, and feel fortunate that I have a job in our crappy Michigan economy.

Best to you-

Diane, RN

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