I am currently not in the nursing profession but, I hope to be soon. I am 55 and will be retiring from teaching. I have both a Bachelors and a Masters in my area of concentration. My brother is an oncologist and my daughter is in her 3rd year of medical school. After talking with both of them I have made my decision to go into nursing.
My daughter recently told me that I should not consider a LVN program because they are being phased out by 2020. Those that are currently in that area will have to go back to school and get a BSN. I realize that the number of people this affects is quite extraordinary.
To obtain either a BSN or LVN will essentially take the same amount of time for me since I have a Bachelors and will be able to use many of those hours except for the Sciences and the Mathematics ( which are older than 2 years).
I spoke to a lady at the local community college and she suggested to jump into an LVN program and then, just go back to school when the need arises. I am at a cross road with this idea. It seems that I would be able to devote more time in the field itself if I were to
go the BSN route. As far as prerequisites for the BSN I would start taking those during night school while I am still working as a teacher. I do not anticipate that there will be any issues with that.
In addition, I have already started researching nursing schools and am looking at one that is offered by UTA online. Since I reside within driving distance of a major medical center that UTA uses for rotations, this, in my opinion, would be a fantastic experience. I sincerely believe that rotations in the medical center in Houston would be far better than the medical center in the city in which I reside. Of course, I would need to get into nursing school at UTA for that to happen.
I am more mature than most students but, I have told that there are no age restrictions in the medical fields since there is a shortage.
Any and all pleasant opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time in reading my note.
OP - you've been misinformed by several who have a vested interest in providing the info that they do. Re your MD brother and med student daughter - as an RN, I wouldn't be hypothesizing about medical private practice specialty needs in socio-economically deprived urban areas under Obamacare no more than your relatives should be counselling about career opportunities and educational preparation of another profession. Not their area of expertise.
To be honest, I reeeallly, reeeallly have seen a RARE classified ad for nurses but for those with education and specialty experience requirements. So MAYBE the nursing shortage is abating maybe 1% or so in some select areas for select audiences.
So unless you're planning to work for your family in their practices, you're in the same applicant job pool as all the other newbies. And again to be honest, I'd bet that their financial office managers might have some ideas against employing an RN in the practice as being fiscally overbudget and practice-wise unnecessary.
I'm guessing from your civil service (?) teaching position, you have your healthcare insurance needs, pension and some retirement funds addressed. But be aware that going in to nursing, your entry level wage & benefit package will be that of any other newbie - that of base rate. Your past E&E will have little import for your entry skill level. And you will be facing NOC shifts, holidays, inclement weather and all those other issues that newbies face.
Others may be thinking this too, but I'll say it. You will have a limited expected work window nsg career period before retirement. I don't know if it's worth all the time & effort for someone such as yourself to pursue 'nursing as a second career'. There's a few other current threads here on AN asking questions much like you. Maybe if you were 10 years younger ...
Whatever you do, go in with your eyes open. Forewarned is forearmed. Wish I had more positive answers for you.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
First off, I do not plan to take out any loans. Given that it should take about 24 months I should be able to handle that financially.
Becoming a nurse will take 24 months only in the following scenarios...
1. You complete the prerequisite courses in one year and secure acceptance into an Accelerated BSN program on your first attempt.
2. You complete the prerequisite coursework and are accepted into an LVN program on the first attempt.
Notice I highlighted the phrase 'on the first attempt.' I get the vibe you are in either in Houston or the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Many students in these areas are rejected from nursing programs with a 4.0 prerequisite GPA, so there's no guarantee of being accepted on your first attempt. By the way, I'm a longtime resident of the D/FW area and there's been no nursing shortage here since 2009.
A community college associate degree nursing program almost always takes three years due to the prerequisite coursework requirements.
I want the OP to know if she is still reading this, I hope you don't think everybody just crushed a dream of yours. I'm sure at 55 you are ready to retire from teaching but you are not that old and still feel you have something left to give which is great!!! I commend you on that. You are still 10-15 years away from social security.
Many people on here can get defensive from time to time. There are certain areas of the country that are impacted with new grads right now making the job market difficult for everyone. The bigger city metro areas are the worst it seems.
But not every area is impacted and not every hospital requires a BSN. I think a medical assistant would be great for you. With your experience with children a pediatrics office or clinic would be great. Your experience with kids would put you head and shoulders above other applicants. And that is what you need to look at.
I just don't think you understand how physically demanding nursing is. I'm still adjusting to it. Right now I work 1 night a week as a patient care tech. The nurses do total care on patients. I assist with that care. I help turn and give baths, but the nurses are ultimately responsible as it is my responsibility to get tons of other things done. We were so busy the other night I probably only got to assist with 3 or 4 baths. That's out of 27 patients on our unit. I felt terrible I couldn't help with more, but that's how it goes some nights. Our patient population is getting heavier. It's getting harder to move and turn them. The heavier patients are usually your sickest ones with lots of comorbidities that come with obesity.
There are lots of opportunities in the medical field. Take some time and do lots of accurate research. I also agree with the idea of shadowing a nurse. Lots of hospitals have these opportunities available. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
Becoming a nurse will take 24 months only in the following scenarios...
1. You complete the prerequisite courses in one year and secure acceptance into an accelerated BSN program on your first attempt.
2. You complete the prerequisite coursework and are accepted into an LVN program on the first attempt.
This is very true! I was a second degree student, and even though I got admitted to my BSN program on my first attempt, I started back in summer of 2010 taking the prerequisites and did not graduate until May 2013.
I decided to go traditional BSN for a couple of reasons, cost being the big one. OP, you talk about being able to easily pay for either option, but have you really looked at how much ABSNs cost? ABSNs are often very expensive compared to regular BSN programs. The tuition for my traditional BSN was $3k per semester, which I could pay as I went. My local one-year ABSN program is $20k per SEMESTER for a total of $40k. I'd say most working people with a decent job could scrounge up $6k per year for tuition, but gathering up $40k in cash is a little more challenging.
Have to agree with all of the others with regard to the heavy physical demands of the job.
Just to give you some hard numbers, my coworkers and I like to compare "miles walked" each shift.
I would say it averages around 7 miles/12 hr shift.
That often includes only sitting briefly while on break. Otherwise we are either standing to chart or power walking around the department.
I'm in my mid 40s and my legs and back are killing me after each shift. It takes a full day off to recover just from the aches and pains...
And as far as viewing available job positions posted online. Hospitals have to post available positions online to the public, even when they already have internal candidates lined up for the job.
Not trying to be discouraging. Just being realistic.
I know I will not be able to keep this pace up for another 10yrs. Unfortunately nursing is not retirement age friendly. We are all viewed as replaceable, especially if we can't keep up....
Speaking as a nearly 50-year old BSN nurse in APRN school, I would say that with your background you could possibly do better to consider a direct-entry MSN master's program with a view to being nurse faculty. The only true nursing shortage is in nurse education! However, the one hole in that plan is that you wouldn't have any experience as an actual RN and that would make it difficult teaching others. I went to NP school so I could get away from floor nursing. My body hurts. I may have to go back to it for a while next year while I'm doing clinicals and if I have to I have to, but I'd rather not. Good luck to you, but I agree with the poster who said shadow a nurse for a day. Shadow several in different areas though, because it's so diverse. I would absolutely not advise you to be an LVN. There are virtually no opportunities for LVNs and if you were younger it might be an option to do that and then work up to ADN then BSN but time is of the essence it seems. I have at least 15-20 years of working life left and I could not envisage myself continuing to work on a floor. I'd be dead before I hit 60.
As stated by All these Nurses there is No Shortage!! Nurses are not retiring like they constantly advertise! If you are in the south the chances of you getting a job increases. If you are up north there is a surplus of nurses. When they advertise for new graduates. They are literally looking for maybe three new graduates. But the ad will appear as though they are in need of numerous nurses!!! In regards to LPN/LVN I wouldn't recommend due to age (please don't take offense to that). I'm currently located in Pa. and no they haven't phased out LPNS!!! BUT they are not hiring any new LPNS in the hospitals and probably won't be anytime soon unless there is an enormous shortage of nurses. Which I can't see happening due to the current surplus! As an LPN up north you will be able to find a job! But you will probably have to put in some time first, before finding something nice and easy. I would also say that for being an RN. Lastly cause this is too much advice to type lol. Go with your heart!! If you want to be a nurse Become A Nurse! But, at least you are completely aware of what kind of work environment you will be walking into. Good luck!
In my area there are plenty of jobs, but that is only for experienced nurses ("new grads need not apply"). We have a ton of nursing schools in the area, so there are few jobs for new grads actually. Also, I suggest shadowing a floor nurse for the entire 12-hour shift if possible. Several days of this would be ideal.
Should the OP revisit this thread, wanted to add my observation that there is no nursing shortage and that I can personally testify to the fact that age discrimination exists in nursing. I faced it at the old age of 42 and ever since. Get a nursing degree and license at your age if you want personal satisfaction, but don't do it if you need to support yourself with a steady income from nursing. Nursing jobs are guaranteed to no one, least of all a person approaching their sixties. Even the people at the Employment Department will admit to this fact when they deal with you. Sad, but true.
OP, I went to nursing school in my 50's. This is something you can do. Nor do you have to work full time if you don't need to. I do work part time. I never went into nursing for the money in the first place. I just don't want you to back out due to age and what others have said about age.
amoLucia
7,736 Posts
OP - you've been misinformed by several who have a vested interest in providing the info that they do. Re your MD brother and med student daughter - as an RN, I wouldn't be hypothesizing about medical private practice specialty needs in socio-economically deprived urban areas under Obamacare no more than your relatives should be counselling about career opportunities and educational preparation of another profession. Not their area of expertise.
To be honest, I reeeallly, reeeallly have seen a RARE classified ad for nurses but for those with education and specialty experience requirements. So MAYBE the nursing shortage is abating maybe 1% or so in some select areas for select audiences.
So unless you're planning to work for your family in their practices, you're in the same applicant job pool as all the other newbies. And again to be honest, I'd bet that their financial office managers might have some ideas against employing an RN in the practice as being fiscally overbudget and practice-wise unnecessary.
I'm guessing from your civil service (?) teaching position, you have your healthcare insurance needs, pension and some retirement funds addressed. But be aware that going in to nursing, your entry level wage & benefit package will be that of any other newbie - that of base rate. Your past E&E will have little import for your entry skill level. And you will be facing NOC shifts, holidays, inclement weather and all those other issues that newbies face.
Others may be thinking this too, but I'll say it. You will have a limited expected work window nsg career period before retirement. I don't know if it's worth all the time & effort for someone such as yourself to pursue 'nursing as a second career'. There's a few other current threads here on AN asking questions much like you. Maybe if you were 10 years younger ...
Whatever you do, go in with your eyes open. Forewarned is forearmed. Wish I had more positive answers for you.