Why is it easy to be honest with complete strangers?
I am 30 years old male, and I was just accepted into a nursing program a year ago. I was very excited, but I allowed people to talk me out of the program. I was told that I was to old, that I had a weak stomach, that they don't see me as a nurse, and it would be hard becoming a nurse because I am a male. I thought they were right, but a year later I find myself regretting not starting the program.
I completed the Navy, so the navy would pay my rent, tuition, and my book fees. So money is not the issue.
I don't like my current job. I have been put on probation at my job, and I feel like it's a blessing in disguise. And I have done so many desk jobs and don't like it. I work at a school doing filing, grades, and busy work. The job does not satisfy me. Come to think of it, I don't like desk jobs, I have way to much energy, and I love being social. I care about my fellow man. My job's pay is alright, but the health insurance is horrible, i do as many hours as i would a nurse, and I come home feeling like why am i doing this job. I can't support my wife, I don't feel like my work as any meaning to me, and it's dull. If I became a nurse, I could offer her more, and most importantly the job could give me value.
My wife's main concern is what if I don't like nursing. My question to her is what if it is what i been looking for all this time!!!!
Only YOU can decide if it's right for you. Even if you get into nursing and don't like it..are you really any worse now than you were? Probably not. I was a 52 year old grandmother when I graduated so don't let age stop you. Actually 30 is not old at all for nursing school. You may need to work on that weak stomach though! LOL Good luck!
Try volunteering at a hospital, request working on an active floor with patient contact (not admin, or a desk job), watch, interact, and see if you have the stomach for it. Better yet, train as a CNA and work directly with patients. It only takes 6 weeks to 3 months, depending on the program--and you can do it on weekends, around your job.
You are obviously not too old, but the fact that you let yourself be talked out of it before does mean that you have to consider why you did that--and you have to take responsibility for deciding to back out. No one can talk you out of something you truly believe in--no one.
If you get some experience to see if you have an affinity for nursing, and do some soul searching about why you backed out in the first place, and decide you really are willing to work hard, very hard, to reach this goal--your heart will tell you what to do.
You know what you want to do, the Navy will pay for it, and you hate what you are doing now. For you to not become a nurse would be crazy. Do what you love and what you want to do. Don't listen to anyone else -- there always will be naysayers and people discouraging you. Life is short. Be happy.
You should never let anyone talk you out of your dreams! Go for it!!! I am a male nurse. I got my liscence at 38. I know other men who went back to school when they were in their 50's. Age is not a factor, passion is!!!
I started in my later 40's. At 52, I am in psych and loving it - and still in school to advance my professional education. I do take care of myself - fitness, Yoga, meditation, rest, diet - but your age is not a factor in my eyes.
Regarding whether you will like nursing, I feel you'll have a good idea before you even graduate. Facing the same question, though, I did some times as a volunteer EMT and then as a patient care tech in a hospital and a rehab facility while I was in school. Practical experience plus testing the waters...
Doing this will mean stepping outside your comfort zone. And your wife's. That decision you will have to make yourself, but realize there is work involved. Nursing school is not regular college and requires commitment and hard studying at times. Review the choice now but, once it is made, don't waste time on second guessing yourself. It just adds useless stress to the path.
Specializes in Acute Pulmonary, Intermediate Care.
30 is young! As for being a male. No big deal. I am in the middle of my BSN program... we have 14 guys in my cohort of 40. Some of the best nurses I've worked with are men. I do think you should volunteer in a hospital to make sure it's your thing... but don't let anyone talk you out of it... because of stereotyping or preconceived notions. By the way, I'm 43, raised 4 kids, and I'm on the deans list! Hooyah.
30 is absolutely never too old, i just graduated in june 2010, i'm 47 yrs old, if i can do it, anyone can, yeah, its tough and stressful, its been a long time since i've been in school, you have to re-teach your self how to and what to study, but in the end, it was well worth it, and i'm sooooooo proud of myself for doing it, you will NOT regret it, if this is your passion, don't listen to anyone else, follow you're heart and go for it, there are ALWAYS classmates, teachers and staff to help you if you are having trouble in a cerain area, don't let it slip away, if you don't, you will always have that voice in you're head saying....should have, could have, would have....YOU CAN DO IT, never forget that. live life with no regrets...godd luck,
Wow. This thread sure grew in a hurry! I'm a male LPN, I'll be 57 next month, and I just passed my NCLEX-RN last Thursday. In the last two years (almost) I've had no problems at all with respect to my age. I had plans to try this back in 1990, but I wound upgrading my job at that time and let it slide to the back burner. If you think this is a type of work you want to do, 30 means nothing. j
Since you are so weak a person to know and act otherwise, you are too old to become a nurse. I was 42yrs old when I became a nurse and never thought twice about it. Please look elsewhere for psychotherapy. You probably would not be strong enough to practice anyway.
And please do not think of me as insensitive. I simply hate people wasting my time with foolishness!
You have received a lot of replies to your message, all encouraging you. I am 57 years young and got my LPN just 4 years ago. Started my Associate's R.N. in 2008 through Excelsior College and am scheduled to wrap that up by end of this year. In a work of God, I am working as a nurse sonographer doing limited OB ultrasounds. I spent 3 years searching for my niche in nursing and I'm closing the gap. I never gave up and I never will.
Go for your dream, work hard, get the basics down even if you have to take one class at a time and at a snail's pace. There will always be a place for dedicated, passionate people (yes, even MALE NURSES!) in the world and you are one of them! Celebrate your choice and don't listen to the critics. Invite your supporters and believers to your graduation!
No Way I became a nurse @ 49 years old. So I am now almost 51 and it was the best decision I have ever made. Never let anyone stop u for your dream. You are way to young to stop. Good luck to you.
lsw1956
52 Posts
Only YOU can decide if it's right for you. Even if you get into nursing and don't like it..are you really any worse now than you were? Probably not. I was a 52 year old grandmother when I graduated so don't let age stop you. Actually 30 is not old at all for nursing school. You may need to work on that weak stomach though! LOL Good luck!