My name is, well, let's say Mr. Disappointed for now. I am now 41 years old, and I am unhappy with where I am in life. I served 10 years in the military working as a mechanic, and I need to say I did not enjoy my job much. I was good at it but felt miserable doing it. After leaving the military, I was only able to find technical and mechanical jobs - Employers would not hire me for other positions because my most recent experience was doing mechanical work. After my marriage broke apart due to financial reasons, I have been thinking about pursuing a career in nursing. But I am afraid my age and lack of healthcare experience would prevent some employers from hiring me. Would it be wise to pursue a career in nursing at my age? How would employers look at it? Even with a degree, would my lack of experience prevent me from getting a nursing job? Please don't be politically correct! Be honest, and don't worry about hurting my feelings. It's a due or die for me at this point of my life. I do have a BS degree in International Business, and I am not sure what do with it at this time. Thank you all!
Re-read the posts above by TurtlesRcool and dennis8 ... and when you have done that, read them again. I agree with them (and the other posters).
Your job prospects will be OK in nursing as many people (men) have taken similar paths to get into nursing. A lot of men won't choose nursing as an 18 year old ... but will decide later that it really is a good choice.
But be sure you know what you are getting into and that nursing is what you want. Do your research on that. And be smart with your money. Don't spend a lot on a "for-profit" school. Go to a less expensive, well-respected, state funded school and get at least a BSN if you can. That will give you the most nursing opportunities at a reasonable price. If you really can't find that type of program, choose a well-respected, state-supported ADN program at a Community College.
You're not too old but nursing isn't for everyone and you seem unsure. I say become a CNA first to see if you like the environment then go from there and become a nurse. No point in wasting time and money only to later find out you don't like nursing.
And shadow multiple nursing jobs in your area. med surgery, ICU, ER, and LTC. Make sure your desired area is hiring, some areas are super saturated with nurses. And look for expected education level at desired facility. If you get an ADN and ythey want BSN, you won't get an interview etc. Look at the job market and educate yourself. Good luck!
It is never to late! When I worked as a CNA there were some new GRAD RN'S that were around there mid 40's.
Having another degree is great and you have that diversity and knowledge you can probably share within the hospital/clinic or wherever you go from there. Take the courses you need and apply for nursing programs and in the mean time volunteer or get your CNA license. That will help.
As previous posters aptly stated, there is no sugar coating it. Nursing is not for everyone. Some people enter nursing for all the wrong reasons. There are few eminently qualified nurses, there are a lot of task runners and fewer critical thinkers.
Most importantly, assess your physical health and be realistic about the needed mental and physical stamina to get through nursing school, then to enter clinical field and to stay there for a while.
If you decide to give it a go, enroll in ADN/ASN program - shorter duration, straight path to RN license and an opportunity to get foothold in a hospital. Once you get into a hospital, that hospital would help you with paying for your RN-to-BSN, which would shave off significant cost of your continuous education.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, ask yourself: Would I enjoy caring for those that are sick? As a nurse, you would be patient's advocate and a last line of defense.
There is a lot of fabulous advice in this thread, and I agree with all of it. I was 42 when I got into nursing school, and I overpaid for my nursing degree, but I don't regret going to nursing school. My nursing credentials have opened doors for me that would have remained closed otherwise.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is classroom technology. I struggled with it. It had been 15 years since I'd been in school, and so much had changed with online courses, etc., so be ready for that. But if I can do it, you can too!
I'll echo the question: Is nursing really for you? And I'll challenge you to probe a bit deeper: What was it that disappointed you about working as a mechanic? What did you like and dislike about being in the military? Get really clear about these things. Understand that nursing is hierarchical (in some ways a bit like the military). As a CNA and as an RN you'll be implementing doctors' (and other providers') orders. If you want the creative flexibility to give the orders and "fix things" from the top of the pecking order, then you're looking at advanced practice nursing (which would mean more time spent in school, and more student loans).
Your mechanical skills, military background, and life experiences are all big plusses no matter what you decide to do. Please keep in touch and let us know what direction you take.
My name is, well, let's say Mr. Disappointed for now. I am now 41 years old, and I am unhappy with where I am in life. I served 10 years in the military working as a mechanic, and I need to say I did not enjoy my job much. I was good at it but felt miserable doing it. After leaving the military, I was only able to find technical and mechanical jobs - Employers would not hire me for other positions because my most recent experience was doing mechanical work. After my marriage broke apart due to financial reasons, I have been thinking about pursuing a career in nursing. But I am afraid my age and lack of healthcare experience would prevent some employers from hiring me. Would it be wise to pursue a career in nursing at my age? How would employers look at it? Even with a degree, would my lack of experience prevent me from getting a nursing job? Please don't be politically correct! Be honest, and don't worry about hurting my feelings. It's a due or die for me at this bpoint of my life. I do have a BS degree in International Business, and I am not sure what do with it at this time. Thank you all!
You may be able to help yourself with this question. First, what made you miserable in the military position? You may want to avoid those things when looking into becoming a nurse. There are nurses that are good at being nurses and miserable. You can become a nurse but the question is, do you want to become a nurse?
It’s never too late. I served 12 years in the army and used my gi bill because after getting out I was unfulfilled doing the same jobs I did in the army on the civvie side. I hesitated for a few years but finally jumped into school. I was far from the youngest in class and oldest person in my class was 56. I have now been a nurse in the ER for a year and I don’t regret being a late bloomer in this field. I finally feel like I’m where I should’ve been. Better late than never. Go for it!
I don’t think it’s too late at all. Plus, military experience will likely be a bonus for you on nursing school applications.
I’m going to be at minimum, 37 when I graduate. While I’m not the among the youngest students, I’m certainly not the oldest either. A close friend of mine graduated, passed nclex and landed a job within the last month and she’s 40. I actually know a few people who went into nursing after 40.
Your age is not a barrier to getting a nursing education, however, your plans should absolutely include the BSN. The overwhelming preference by employers in most parts of the US, despite an alleged nursing shortage, is for BSN candidates.
While age is not a barrier to becoming a nurse, age discrimination is rampant in the US, and age can be a significant impediment to finding a job. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) states that "ageism is among the most common forms of employment discrimination." An interesting 2017 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco using more than 40,000 dummy job applications, found that job candidates between the ages of 29 and 31 received 35 percent more callbacks than those ages 64 to 66, despite having similar qualifications and skills.
Obviously, the job market differs in various parts of the country, and ageism may be more or less of a factor depending on your location. Still, it's something to take into consideration, particularly since the 2009 Supreme Court decision in an age discrimination case. The determination of the Court was basically that age had to be proven to be the principle reason for the discrimination, and not simply one of several factors. That's a very high barrier and essentially allows employers to continue to discriminate on the basis of age if they so choose. And they do: A recent (2018) AARP survey of people age 45 and older (n=3,900) determined that more than nine in 10 older workers perceive age discrimination as common, with 61% indicating they’ve personally seen or experienced it.
My suggestion - as others have indicated - is to be very sure that nursing is what you want to do. You will need to invest considerable time, energy and money into getting qualified as an RN. You will also face at least some discrimination in finding a job, taking more time and energy. Neither impediments will be absolute barriers IF you're sure nursing is really your calling.
llg, PhD, RN
13,469 Posts
Re-read the posts above by TurtlesRcool and dennis8 ... and when you have done that, read them again. I agree with them (and the other posters).
Your job prospects will be OK in nursing as many people (men) have taken similar paths to get into nursing. A lot of men won't choose nursing as an 18 year old ... but will decide later that it really is a good choice.
But be sure you know what you are getting into and that nursing is what you want. Do your research on that. And be smart with your money. Don't spend a lot on a "for-profit" school. Go to a less expensive, well-respected, state funded school and get at least a BSN if you can. That will give you the most nursing opportunities at a reasonable price. If you really can't find that type of program, choose a well-respected, state-supported ADN program at a Community College.
Good luck with whatever you decide.