I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.

Nursing Students Male Students

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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...

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I just sent you a PM after having read your post in another thread. I am now 40 also an attorney leaving the profession to enter nursing and like I told you in my PM, your posts read as if I had written them, especially the part where you say "being an attorney so goes against my core as a person" .. that's me too!!

In your case, as some have already advised, I would certainly look into accelerated BSN programs - they will be faster tracked than ADN considering you already have a bachelor's AND you will have more opportunities open to you in nursing later on.

Good luck! Look forward to hearing more from you!

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