I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.

brads7 · Jul 22, 2009

I'm 47 and in my final year in New Zealand. I know this is one of the best things I have ever done with my life...apart from being a parent. Age doesnt mean old it means experience...always remember that. Good luck and stick at it, you will be surprised when the "young" students come to you for help because of your experience.

sirod · Jul 22, 2009

I left a legal career (litigation paralegal) at age 41ish to return to school to become an RN. Same sort of reasons. My cousin, was a nurse before she became an attorney. She practiced law for a number of years, became a judge and then went back into private practice. Shortly thereafter, she returned to nursing.

The university I attended had a "second degree nursing program". Before starting the program I was required to complete 9 hrs (yes, 9 hrs) of prereqs before entering the actual program which was 14 months, start to finish. Intense, but I had a prior degree in business and a certificate from USD in paralegal studies so it was not that difficult.

It was the best decision I have ever made, career-wise.

Age, was definitely not a factor. In fact, it was a benefit as many facilities appreciate the maturity that comes with our age. Having come from the legal world, where organization is key, made a huge difference in how I performed in school and perform as a nurse. Organization is a key in this field as well.

These days, being a male is also a plus. More and more males are entering the world of nursing and are being encouraged to do so.

Go for it! Enjoy!

RICKER55 · Jul 22, 2009

I am 54 and have been in nursing for 12 years of which I returned to school at the age of 36. After 16 years in the U.S. military I was discharged honorably and decided to return to pursuit my educational goals. At the time I started off in Business Administration obtaining an Associates degree, I felt that I would at least need an MBA to be competitive in the profession. Hence, I decided to pursuit a career in nursing a choice that I do not regret. I obtained my BSN just this year. I love my profession and receive much support from the female staff on the floor. Of course you need to be able to deal with all the staff on floor in an ever changing work place environment. Get used to being called upon when your physical strenghts are needed, but overall the rewards far outweigh the negative aspects of the job. Males in nursing comprise an abysmal 6% of the entire work force, a statistic that is gradually changing as more males are entering the profession. Change the image of nursing is an goal that is forseeable in the future. I also agree that an accelerated BSN/MSN should be considered if you do not want to a bed side nurse. Still I wouldn't change any decisions that brought me to the profession. Good luck in your decision to become a professional nurse in which you should posess what I call the 3 C's, Caring, Compassionate, and competent.

Susie14all · Jul 22, 2009

If you want to do it... like Nike says "just do it".

I went to nursing school at 40 and graduated at 44. I am now 47 and three years into my career. I love nursing and there are so many directions you can go. You can even later combine your nursing career with your legal career if you choose. You can also work as a travel nurse or registry nurse if you want to make more money and you can make really good money if that is an important consideration. Just get started.

FluffyNipper · Jul 22, 2009

Go for it! I don't think you will find discrimination - i didn't. I suggest you try to enter the profession with as advanced a degree as possible - MSN if you can find a program that admits non-nurses, otherwise a BSN program. There are lots of nurse-attorneys around who might have an interesting slant on the nursing profession for you.

Incidentally, I did not find the nursing profession as free from the adversarial stance as you hope you will find it. Conflict is inherent in just about all human undertakings. I got my BSN in my 30s, MSN in my 40s, took post-MSN courses in my 50s.

MaritesaRN · Jul 23, 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...

:bowingpur Wow, very impressive! In answer to your questions, yes, we need men in this profession ! In nursing , yes there are some "dark" holes, just like any other profession, so that is a norm.

If you can stand blood and guts and tear jerking moments and situations (such as losing a patient) and still do not become callous , then you are in! We have different coping mechanisms-- some will hardened themselves to protect their sanity and aching heart, but if you can maintain a certain distance (find your comfort zone) and still be involved without breaking apart , and still function as an efficient and effective care taker, then it is a leap of a start . Possibly in the future, when you want , you can possibly use both the legal and caretaker role in one !

Congratulation for listening to your inner voice, and make a decision towards your true calling !

lorbal · Jul 23, 2009

I want to commend you on your decision to become a nurse. Making a difference in the world is a wonderful thing. I became an LPN at 46 years old and it was a wonderful decision. My mother had Alzheimers Disease and I wanted to help people keep their dignity in the end stages of their life. As we grow and mature, our decisions are about making a positive impact in the world. Please continue your pursuit of making a selfless decision. Good luck

vanagonnurse · Jul 23, 2009

I say go for it...I was in banking for several years and flew as a commercial pilot for about 10 years and now I heading back to school for an LPN program. Once I finish that and obtain my minium time requirement it's off to an RN program. Don't know if I will do the RN to BSN because I already have a Finance degree. I'm 39 as well and I'm gonna go for it and I wish you the best and good luck.

jallen5 · Jul 23, 2009

when i was in the hospital last month, the LPN that took care of me in the ER (and one of the NICEST caretakers of my stay there) was a dude. He was great. Then on my last day in the hospital, the LPN that took care of me (and also one of the NICEST caretakers) was also a dude who had been a truck driver before. They were both so great. All of the females who had been caretakers paid almost no attention to me. When I was giving my answers to the inpatient interview on the floor, the RN neglected to write down that I was lactose intolerant, so my first meal there had to be sent back and I had to wait 2 more hours for food. When I needed to take a pill, one of the other RNs came in, handed me the pill, and walked out. I had to wait there saving up spit to take it with. The CNAs were supposed to be doing my I's and O's and never emptied the pilgrim hat thing. One CNA said she would bring me a drink and kept forgetting. It was horrible. If I'm ever in the hospital again, I hope that I just have dudes.

I was 39 when I started back to school to get my BSN. I have a BSA and was a healthcare auditor and a controller. There are a LOT of 2nd-career nurses out there. Go for it.

MaritesaRN · Jul 23, 2009

I say go for it...I was in banking for several years and flew as a commercial pilot for about 10 years and now I heading back to school for an LPN program. Once I finish that and obtain my minium time requirement it's off to an RN program. Don't know if I will do the RN to BSN because I already have a Finance degree. I'm 39 as well and I'm gonna go for it and I wish you the best and good luck.

Wow, I am so elated with all of the above....change of career is not easy , but you guys just went for it !!! You see this is the reason we need men in the profession....to balance out the drama (female) vs practicality (men).

Yes, me too have another bachelor degree, and will be foolish to get another bachelor , if you can go instead to Masters . they have this program wherein you bachelors from another specialty is used as a jumper to masters in nursing, that is if you want to pursue this eventually. But I can not emphasize a long and good clinical experience in the floor. Med surg at least for a year before you pick your specialty.

In my case I will be changing direction from UR, CM and medical review to geriatrics , probably LTC with rehab skills. This will be an area of which there will be more elderly since the baby boomers (including me) will be hitting

this phase. I think I can fulfill whatever need I have inside and thus is the reason why I went for nursing...... I will be working until I can not anymore. thank God for giving me a healthy body , so I better start taking care of it too!

Wish you the best on your decision guys!!! :bow: such determination on your parts already tells me that you will be one of the best nurses !!!!! Bless you all and may all the blessings be with you in this honorable endeavor.:redbeathe

ormidaleRN · Jul 23, 2009

Hi, I went back to school at 38. Going back to school is never a bad idea. Nursing is my fourth career job. And a life long dream. It took me twenty years to get to it.

I operated a very successful small business from my home while raising my children, however I did not have anyone I trusted to run it while in school. Nursing school is very demanding of your time so be prepared to not work and still eat. Because I could not afford to not work for more than two years. I took all the pre nursing courses at night after work. So during nursing school i only took two classes each semester and did not work. Not working was my choice, alot of students work and go to school but I did not want to.

Now at 44, I have been a Med-Sug nurse for the last two years. I now work the weekend program Sat and Sunday only. This works for me. And the money for two days is better than three 12hr shifts. Nurseing with a legal background is a plus because as you get older your body will rebel and you will have to fall back on that. Being a lawyer for the hospital. Good luck and plan well, you will need all the help you can get from friends and family, mostly meals.You got thru law school so this should be a cake walk. You just have to learn how to think like a nurse. Good luck.

p.s My graduating class president was 52.

traveler RN · Jul 23, 2009

You have an advantage as an attorney! I'm an RN and a LNC (legal nurse consultant) and I'm in my late 50's.