I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.

globetrekkinurse · Jul 22, 2009

I was 38 years old when I became a nurse. I have been traveling since then and have not found any problems with being age discriminated against. I will tell you from my experience nurses can be very cruel to each other especially to new nurses. I try and not treat new nurses the way I was and to help them in every way possible because I don't want to aid the nursing shortage and I would like to see them stick around for a long time. Nursing is just as physically gruelling if not more so than what you have done. It is also very emotionally and mentally challenging at times. There are days I wonder if I made the right choice and then there are more days I feel very blessed and lucky to be living my passion. Go forth with positive attitude and support from your family and make it happen you will reap great rewards for following your heart. I know I did.

83studentnurse · Jul 22, 2009

One more comment from a fellow career-changer (left a management position in PR for nursing). It's scary. You will have bad days and second guess your decision. I go home many days and don't feel rewarded, like I did something meaningful for patients that day. However, when I think back on it, I am certain that I did. Not everyone articulates their appreciation, but when you stop to think about what you did for someone today ... you took a few minutes to speak to a patient and let him know someone is interested in him, you let a patient tell you a little bit about their children or when they were young, or you helped a family through a terrifying complicated delivery that produced a perfect little baby, you can be proud of what you did.

This week a patients mom hugged me when my shift was over and said, "You're in the right profession." She didn't know that I'm still a student and that I sometimes wonder if I should've stayed in my comfortable job where I could wear cute clothes and didn't go home with sore feet. As soon as I heard that though, I knew more certainly than I've ever known, that this is my calling.

So every day won't be as rewarding as you hope it will and you will have to deal with difficult doctors and difficult patients and difficult managers (true in just about every profession, although in nursing we have to answer to all of these people). But I do now actually have the sense that my job matters. Even on the hard days, my job is meaningful, which I think is a big part of what you're looking for.

ChicagoPeds · Jul 22, 2009

First of all, congrats on making the decision for a career change!! It's not easy! Secondly, I also agree with the previous posters who were encouraging you to go for, at an absolute minimum, a BSN (accelerated of course). My accelerated BSN took 18 months to complete...not bad (there are other programs that take a year)... When shopping for the perfect program for you (whether ASN or BSN), check to see the differences in required classes. Plus, think about whether or not you can get the enthusiasm and energy to go back to school for anther round. BSN will set you up for some management....however, the non-nursing degreed people who go for their masters in nursing do have more future potential.

Good luck! (As an aside, my mom just finished her ASN 4 years ago now...and she was 54 yrs old).

dede1956 · Jul 22, 2009

I'm sitting here thinking in 3 yrs you will be approx 42, this is not going to change in any way whether you go to nursing school or not...you will still be 42 in 3 yrs....sooo go for it. :yeah: You will see a lot of butt wiping, a$$ kissing, and sucking up (not just with the patients/families, nurses, but also with instructors from some of the other students). Hold true to your values and morals; express yourself carefully; be the best patient advocate that you can; learn as much as you can from as many people as possible (this includes your patients); if you hear of a procedure being done on the floor that you are on, go check it out (with doc and patient permission of course), most docs love to teach students/nurses if asked right; study hard, find other students and form a study group...just remember with this group if there is someone that doesn't care, you need to get them out of the group...they will hold you back; :banghead: Most of the colleges know that they are catering to the adult learner and do everything they can to accommodate you when you go back to school. Also many of the BSN/MSN programs will look at the courses that you have already taken, the grade, and if it is close enough to their course to transfer those credits. I went back for my RN after being a LPN for 9 yrs (full time no part time programs avail), BSN after being a RN for 5 yrs (part time) it took me 3 1/2 yrs to complete and the school took 68 credits from my RN program, then 2 1/2 yrs to complete my MSN 3 yrs after getting my BSN, again I did this program part time. Don't regret any of these decisions and my job (been there 32 1/2 yrs) accommodated my school schedule and my co workers were great and very supportive.:bowingpur. All higher nursing programs require pre-reqs, and usually have their own number of classes and credits that you need to take. With my 68 credits that the nursing program accepted/transferred, I was told that I needed to take 24 upper level credits at the college, otherwise they didn't care if I went to the local college to take classes. Yes, I went to a school out of state for both my BSN and MSN. When you start working as a nurse, usually after 6 mo, check with HR to see if you can get tuition reimbursment. Because you keep taking tests to see what you would be good at and nursing keeps coming up, GO FOR IT and good luck with school, can't wait until you join the ranks!!!!!!!!!!!! btw, we love male nurses...not only because of the strenght that you bring but you also have much different take on situations that help us females to see things from a different angle. :lol2:

Besides, just think of all the experience from this job that you will bring with you into the greatest profession of all. :up: God bless your wife for her support with your decision to become a nurse.

To all of the ney-sayers that tell you you are crazy at this age to change professions forget about them, many of them are jealous that they aren't brave enough to follow their hearts desire.

wilma43 · Jul 22, 2009

After 12 years of practicing law (as a criminal prosecutor) I'm thinking about returning to school and becoming a nurse. After months of working with a career counselor, personal reflection, and research (on-line and otherwise) I'm feel strongly that this would be the right choice for me. (There's a local school that just began offering an AS degree in Nursing making one eligible to sit for the N-CLEX for registered nurses.) I'm fortunate to have a wife who supports my decision, and also works, which lessens the financial impact. Still, there will be a number of sacrafices to be made for the next 3 years (approx.) and we have two young children who also have to be considered first and foremost.
I was happy to find this web site and particularly glad to find this board (Male Nursing Students). I'm hope that in reading the posts I will find: encouragement; positive stories; advice; etc. Any input/advise/encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Many people in my life think I'm crazy leaving a good paying career at this stage in my life. Fact is, though, that being an attorney so goes against my core as a person. I do not find the work fulfilling at all. To the contrary, the advesarial nature of the work takes it's toll physiacally and emotionally. The idea of helping people; caring for people has always been a large part of who I am. And in fact, all these persoanlity/employment/interest tests I've taken repeatedly reveal nursing as a strong match for who I am.
Continued in the reply post that follows...

I have been a nurse for 20 years and I don't want to discourage you, but I think your crazy for wanting to be a nurse. You don't get the respect or pay you deserve. I do love what I do, but if I could go back in time I would be a doctor or a pharmacist. I had a pt. the other day who got special treatment just because he was an attorney. People jump when you say your an attorney, I don't see anyone jumping when I say I am a nurse. Good luck

NewTexasRN · Jul 22, 2009

You are not too old to become a nurse! The oldest person I knew in my program was in her fifties. I think nursing is an excellent career choice, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding also, but the rewards are great. Good Luck.

needluck · Jul 22, 2009

Absolutely...go for it, I went back to school to become a nurse at 45 after I lost my job. I am glad I did! Our class ranged in ages from 19 to 62! Granted, it is hard work, but it is hard work at any age! Good luck:)

momof4ndocswife · Jul 22, 2009

I'm now a 54 yr old RN, BSN with 2 yrs experience and love working as a med-surg nurse in acute care. I'd earned a BS in Biology in 1977, married a med student, raised 4 children, and returned to school @ at 47 to earn an assoc nursing degree. In the middle of the 3rd semester of clinicals, had to withdraw to take care of my mother who was diagnosed with cancer. When I tried to later return to the same program, there was so many hoops to jump through that it was going to take far too much longer, so I started investigating BSN programs. I ended up starting all over again and drove an hour a day for 2 and 1/2 years to graduate with a BSN in MAy of 2007.... 5 years after I'd initally begun the ADN program.. at the age of 52. It wasn't easy, but worth it!

The associate degree program wasn't nearly as personal as the bachelors program from which I graduated. Since I already had a previous bachelor's degree, I only had a few courses to take other than nursing courses, so it was a 5 semester plan... the same amount of time as the associate program I was previously enrolled in. The State Nurse practice acts regulates the number of clinical hours nursing schools require in order to take NCLEX, so whether you are in an Assoc or Bachelor Degree program, you still have to do the same # of clinical hours to become an RN. The difference is in the other courses you'll take.

Someone may have already mentioned this on earlier posts, but having a law degree would make you a wonderful legal nurse. My son-in-law is a medical mal-practice defense lawyer who is often wishing he had more nurses in the legal field. I've known several nurses who went to law school for that reason. Legal nurses make great salaries.

My goal in nursing was to provide compassionate patient care, which I love! I think my years of life experiences as a mother, wife, community volunteer, and living in different parts of the world have contributed more to my ability to provide nursing care and to interact well with staff than my degree. I started out working with all much younger nurses on a night shift surgical floor, but quickly was hired for a dayshift position by some mature nurses b/c they wanted to have more mature nurses on their floor... not necessarily more experienced nurses. I find what I do very gratifying. God bless you as you consider your options and go for your dream.

goldie1 · Jul 22, 2009

You would be a great plus to the nurses if you should get involved in ANA. (Politics.legal work) to bring nurses together and improve conditions. Also, some 2 yr programs offer a fast track BSN completely on line - the ADN 2 yr program I attend at a cheap community college has the same amt of clinical hrs as the BSN, so clinicals are not a part of the curriculum. The 2 yr program school of choice u r interested in would have that info. I have B.S when I started and ADN was still easier to deal with for me-get tne BSN on your own terms later when u know more.

PatricParamedic · Jul 22, 2009

Quinn:

From my point of view, far too many clinical settings continue the agonal-rhythm reflex of 19th Century thinking: That is, Master(doctor) / Servant (nurse), Male( doctor) / Female(nurse) role-playing that ought to have been given a proper burial right next to the foot bindings. It is improving, albeit slooo-ly.

And maybe - just maybe - the best way to break down these small-minded stereotypes, is for mature adults to come into the profession with an existing body of work, and perhaps a bit less "stethoscope star-struck" than those not far out of high school.

It is clear by those who are answering your questions here, that indeed, many different kinds of folks are making serious career changes, and for the better. (My next door neighbor was a high school biology teacher for 25 years. He now drives cross-country Fed Ex trucks, makes more money & gets to see the country)

My best advice? Keep asking questions, especially to these nurses who are willing to tell you the downside. See if you can "job-shadow" an extremely busy RN for 8-10 hours. Make sure that nurse gives you an opportunity to have a patient poop in your hand. Carry at least one vomit pan to the sink and rinse it out. Pay very close attention to how physicians treat nurses.

But whatever you do, don't EVER make the naive mistake of thinking that - regardless of differences - everybody around you in uniform has the patients' best interest in mind. Because you're going to find out that what you'll come to see as "common sense," often isn't even in the Top 10 of your superiors' priorities. And a huge part of succeeding in medicine, is forgetting most of what you think you know about life as a nurse right now.

Best of luck.

walk6miles · Jul 22, 2009

Here goes. I spent some time yesterday on the phone with a representative of social security. I could hardly speak because I was so upset. You see, I love, love, love my job as a critical care nurse. I am slowly being "forced" out of it because of my health. I have a neurological disease that is slowly taking away my ability to walk; my inner resolve is still there and strong; however, I have to admit that my ability to remain bedside is being eroded albeit slowly but surely.

I wanted to be a nurse all my life (I just wasn't aware of the strength of my desire). I was an executive secretary (in the days of shorthand) to the president of a large company and I always had wonderful jobs no matter where I lived or moved with my husband. I wound up the personnel manager for a large multi-office law firm in Massachusetts. My employer thought I was crazy to go back to school at age 38; graduating and working in a telemetry unit at age 40.

There was always a piece missing. I had clues, but I finally saw the light and went for it....now, I am 60 years old and thinking of going to law school. So,I say to you: do it. Take the 2 year course, graduate, start working so you have income and then finish up your Bachelors....that route will give you financial peace of mind and your family financial needs will not suffer so much.

Good luck; all my best.

PrincessKat · Jul 22, 2009

I'm with Groovy Jeff.......I went from a management position back to nursing school at age 40 and I wasn't the youngest one in my class. I think that you will find the same situation....you won't be the youngest....but you will bring with you experience that the 18-23 year olds do not have. They may have youth on their side and can "outrun" you on the hospital floor......but slow and steady wins the race. The same "youngsters" that ran circles around me physically, continually looked to me for leadership and came to me with questions (even before they went to the instuctor).....

Leaving a great paying management position was hard. I liked the job, no real complaints, but like you my heart was not in it. I could not see myself retiring at that job. I felt God leading me in a patient care direction. Like groovy jeff said, there are literally many a butt to wipe, body fluid to clean up and smells you have definitely never smelled before......but the rewards far outweigh the bad stuff.

I was fortunate enough to go through a Christian based BSN program where Christian caring was actually taught and praying with your patients was encouraged. In my 2nd semester I was with a couple when their Dr. told them that the man was dying and probably only had weeks to live. I prayed (and cried) with the women in the hallway outside his room.....now, you don't always get thank-you notes, but she actually sent one to me through my school.....she was more of a blessing to me than I could have ever been to her......so YES....it's worth it! There will be long study nights, researching for papers and don't forget writing the never ending "care plans".....it will take a toll on your family. But it's TEMPORARY! Sounds like your wife supports you......and your family will be so proud of you in the end....I say....GO FOR IT!!!! You only have one life.....and it's not a Dress Rehearsal!