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!!!!
Definitely not too late! We have several people in my class of 48 or so who are over 40, and at least a third of the class is >30 y.o. They are doing just fine, and all of them have various reasons for coming to this later in life than the "kids" do. OK, so they (we!) can't pull all-nighters any more, but on the other hand after living as adults, we have better organizational skills and life experience that helps us.
Also several of my classmates are male. They are confident, secure men who have no problem telling people with a straight face that they are going to nursing school. They know they will be in high demand when they graduate: perhaps one of the few fields where equal opportunity works in their favor
I was an Army medic and civilian EMT (and academic and geek) before I even considered nursing. Your military background will help you both with planning and with that issue of dealing with authority -- "we" know to look at the position and not the person, which is handy in a hierarchical situation, not to mention wearing uniforms regularly!
While I was an EMT, both the nurses (at hospitals and SNFs) and we EMTs were happy to find male nurses and CNAs on staff. Not only for the greater physical strength, but because the atmosphere is different, and many male patients are genuinely more comfortable and relaxed with a male nurse.
What if you don't like it, you say? If you don't like the first job you get as a nurse, look for another. There is such a wide range of job options for nurses, from ERs to air evacs to teaching to offices to home health to clinic manager to ... well, you do a search and see for yourself. You're bound to find something you enjoy even if bedside care isn't for you.
First of all, YOU have to decide for yourself if nursing is a field that you would like to enter. When I told my family I was going to nursing school at 21, EVERYONE was against it. My mother had visions of a Notre Dame football playing medical student....needless to say THAT didn't happen. Now that I've been out of school for 22 years, they have a COMPLETELY different perspective. I've be called the "Sears Certified Doctor" in the family.
With that being said, do some research. Volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home, ask your local homeless shelter if you can volunteer at their clinic day, see if there is an indigent care clinic in your area that accepts volunteers. Get into the experience, get your hands dirty, shed some tears, hold some hands, and see if it's for you.
Secondly, nursing school is difficult. Lots of papers, lots of studying, lots of tests, lots of clinical. You'll need full support of your family. There will be days that you'll have an 8 hour clinical and then come home to write a paper AND write a care plan AND study for an exam the next day.
Talk to the nursing students in the program you are reviewing. Get their opinions, good and bad. Look at the curriculum with some of the students and some of the professors. Is it an accelerated program that's 21 hours each semester, or is it a relaxed program with fewer class commitments. Honestly talk about your ability to manage a 21 semester hour course load with clinicals, papers, and exams.
Last is the financial obligation. If you have the means for having your degree paid for by the military, DO IT! Most come out of school with huge student loan bills and tuition reimburstment commitments from work sites. I just finished my Masters in May; I was lucky to ONLY have to borrow 20K to get thru the FNP program. So you are VERY fortunate.
The only other thing I would add is food for thought. If the military is willing to pay for your education, FIND SOMETHING TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR! Don't pass up the opportunity for a free education. I would guess that from you GI Bill benefits and your age, you were involved in part of the Gulf War crisis or something comparable. I'd just like to say THANK YOU for keeping America safe and free.
My mom was like 37 when she graduated and became an LPN....30 is not too old as a matter of fact I dont think it is ever to late to do something u have a passion for. And for the nay sayers forget about them. There are people that think they know me and think I wont be able to handle this and that but I say thanks for your opinion and keep it moving. Not many can go to school and have all things paid for this is a perfect opportunity I say go for it and see if u like it :)
Deffinitly not too late. I got my LPN at 38, am still re-doing my pre-req's to move on to the RN program.
IN the beginning my Hubby was teasing me that I would be the "old" person in class, there were many who were 10+ years older than me and when Hubby came around he started liking and making comments to his buddys about being with a "college chick"
Don't let anyone talk you out of your dreams you will only regret it if you do.
Specializes in Critical Care, Transport, Disaster.
I didn't go to nursing school until I was 31, with a 6 month old daughter and plenty of bills to keep up with. I can tell you from personal experience that being a male in nursing school definitely had its moments... I can also tell you that being a nurse is the most amazing career I have ever experienced. I had been a Paramedic, taught Paramedics at the community college level fullitme and before that I worked in rape crisis/domestic violence/child sexual assualt couseling and had been a Social Studies teacher... I have been an RN since 2003 and I am extremely happy in my career. It isn't for everyone, but it offers the opportuniy to touch others in extraordinary situations and in turn be touched yourself by these situations.The pay isn't bad, the shift work can be exhausting but overall I am grateful for the opportunity nursing has brought me.
I am 40 and I am in nursing school right now. I am enjoying every bit of it. I have a son with special needs child who is severely disabled and an eleven year old daughter as well. I am also a single mom. Don't let anyone discourage you.
No, not too old, but I would be concerned about your willingness to be swayed by the opinions of others so easily. You also need to realize there are hundreds of different kinds of nursing, so just because you don't like cleaning up vomit doesn't mean nursing is not for you (just for the record, No one likes cleaning up vomit - but that doesn't make any of the rest of us bad nurses)
Nursing is one of the few careers you can train for and do a complete change of fields several times in a career without massive retraining.
But seriously, I would worry about how suggestible you might be - you need to develop an inner strength and willingness to persevere to get through nursing school and continue as a nurse
Louis345...GO WITH YOUR GUT (AND YOUR HEART)! I spent 25+ years in Sales & Marketing and ABSOLUTELY HATED IT! Lost several jobs, had THREE Nervous Breakdowns in 8 years, then bottomed out! Went to Library School at 48 years of age, graduated at 50, spent 5 years rebuilding a career, and am NOW starting my SECOND year as a Nursing & Allied Health Librarian at a small private university here in Tennessee....AND...did I mention I started a SECOND Master's Program TONIGHT?!?!?! Mental Health Counseling so I can serve as an Adjunct Counselor to the students at this university...in my 'off hours'.
Your wife is fearful because she is concerned about the financial stability. Hopefully she will understand that this is where your gut and heart are leading you...GO FOR IT!
If that is what you want, then do it. I was in program years ago and quit due to pressure from others. I am back in program, after having to retake some pre reques. I will finish at 55. If I get 10 years on my career, I'm good.
Never let anyone else stop you from doing what you want. Don't let time be your enemy. Good Luck and thank you for serving our country.
Good Grief!!! If you want something bad enough, you'll stop letting others talk you out of it!! Examine your own feelings and thoughts. Especially if you've got education benefits from the military. My best advice to you is that life is way too short! I took a job as a nurse aide in an acute care facility to find out if nursing was what I really wanted to do. This is the best way I know to find out if you can handle touching people, bodily fluids, and odors. All of us have a particular part of the job we don't like. Over the years, I've traded tasks with those who gag at emesis or odors. They helped me with peds and gi bleeds. (I have been an ER and ICU nurse most of my career.
If you can handle the grunt job, hands on, then the rest is a piece of cake. Nursing has so many specialty areas once you get through school. I was 36 years old when I got my ADN, I worked half track (32 hours a pay period) in a Level 1 trauma center, with 4 children (the youngest started kindergarten the day I started nursing school), and signed a contract with the hospital where I worked for tuition forgiveness. But, I paid for my own books and burned a lot of midnight oil.
Look inside yourself and ask, "Am I committed to this?" It doesn't matter how old, male or female, etc. If you want it bad enough, you'll do it!!!
I was 46 years old when I started nursing school and i wasn't the oldest one in our class. I graduated two years ago and love my job! It's never too late to follow your dreams....go for it and good luck to you!
Jasmijn
15 Posts
Definitely not too late! We have several people in my class of 48 or so who are over 40, and at least a third of the class is >30 y.o. They are doing just fine, and all of them have various reasons for coming to this later in life than the "kids" do. OK, so they (we!) can't pull all-nighters any more, but on the other hand after living as adults, we have better organizational skills and life experience that helps us.
Also several of my classmates are male. They are confident, secure men who have no problem telling people with a straight face that they are going to nursing school. They know they will be in high demand when they graduate: perhaps one of the few fields where equal opportunity works in their favor
I was an Army medic and civilian EMT (and academic and geek) before I even considered nursing. Your military background will help you both with planning and with that issue of dealing with authority -- "we" know to look at the position and not the person, which is handy in a hierarchical situation, not to mention wearing uniforms regularly!
While I was an EMT, both the nurses (at hospitals and SNFs) and we EMTs were happy to find male nurses and CNAs on staff. Not only for the greater physical strength, but because the atmosphere is different, and many male patients are genuinely more comfortable and relaxed with a male nurse.
What if you don't like it, you say? If you don't like the first job you get as a nurse, look for another. There is such a wide range of job options for nurses, from ERs to air evacs to teaching to offices to home health to clinic manager to ... well, you do a search and see for yourself. You're bound to find something you enjoy even if bedside care isn't for you.
I say go for it.