Looking for student nurses, male and 50+

Nursing Students Male Students

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I am an African-American, male, student nurse, 50+ looking to enter nursing school. I wonder if there are any other men out there like myself beginning nursing school at 50 or am I just too late to join the profession!!!

DJD, I really think you should go for it. You have nothing to lose. I recently turned 50 and am just starting nursing school after finally finishing my prerequisites. I was a cross country truck driver in my previous career. I tired of living on the road and through research (like you did) found out health care jobs have the best future, security, etc.

I wouldn't worry about the physical aspects. My back is kind of messed up and my hearing is shot, but I haven't really seen that as holding me back yet. This is just an observation and not a harsh judgement or anything, but so far the majority of my nursing instructors have been overweight women. So I have not seen anything yet which requires superior fitness. The fact that you like working with women is also a big plus. Good luck and let us know what happens.

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My lab partner was a man age 50 and he was the best nursing student in the class, and a great lab partner! There are many area of nursing. I work for a company where I can work out of my home. I have been a registered nurse for 2 years. i recommend working at a hospital first and get a year of experience. I went to a LTC (nursing home) the first year and the training consisted of three days and I was left by myself to be a Charge Nurse. And they frowned on me asking other nurses questions, but of course I asked questions anyway. At a hospital you have team work and at least three months of training. No comparison. Good luck gentlemen!! Kathy p.s.After you finish school and pass your boards, I suggest taking a ACLS class for advanced life support where they teach you to be in charge of a code. It will help you get a job.

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I am 55 and just started the nursing program. It took me 2 years to complete all of the prerequisities. While waiting to be admitted (there is a long waiting list at my school), I completed all of my supporting courses. So, I just need to fininsh the "caring role of the nurse" courses and my clinical requirements. Hopefully, I will finish soon. I havemy many other students my age in my class of 25, but there are only 3 men. My peers and instructors all seem very accepting of my gender and age. We'll see how long that lasts. My wife hasn't worked in 3 years, despite holding 2 associates degrees. I wish I could convince her to find her true calling like I have. I look forward to be a nurse. I don't know why it has taken me this long to discover my vocation, but I am glad that I have. I encourage all men and all students to follow their dreams!

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Hope fifty isn't to old, I should garduate in Dec. of 2012 and I will be 56. As for Hearing and health my hearing isn't the greatest. My recommedation is the best Stethascope you can buy I use a Cardio 3 and it's great. The younger students have been a area of great support and help in all areas after being out of school 35 years. A journey starts with the first step, I do regret not starting my journey sooner, but I did enjoy my past profession, Industrial Maintenance which served me well and supported my family. Go for it and good luck.

HB

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Hi,

I am 57 and am working on my prerequisite courses. The discouraging thing is that I am not too hot in Algebra, so I must take Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, then College Algebra. The college I am going to will not allow students to take their science courses before the Math sequence is completed. Thus, by the time I finish my prerequisites, it will be 2013 before I can apply to nursing school. I am determined to do it, and encourage you to do the same. Go for it!

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Hi In regards to algebra I was awful at it. I went to tutoring 3 times week and passed. The key is to do good on the tests so when the final comes you can lose points and still pass Since I moved around a lot as a child I had the capacity of a 6th to 8th grade math education when I first started college at 40 years old put pulled it off by going to the tutor easily. I studied math and took the test to put me into beginning algebra. I did not have to repeat lower levels of math. It was the tutoring that did it. You will be fine. the tutor makes it easy. you may have to go to tutor every day. What ever it takes,. I am now an RN, so if I made it so can you.

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Specializes in mental health.

I've recently graduated and am pushing 60. Nursing is not difficult. The real challenge is working with women.

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K.P.A. and others, can you please expand on why you switched careers or what drew you into nursing? Thanks

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I will graduate December 2011 at 51. It was a big change from making a very good salary to a college student. It will probably take a few years and a little luck to get close to making the money I did, but I wanted to do something more rewarding with my life and be able to help people. My mom was an LVN and I grew up around the hospital and doctor's office and I've always held health care workers in high regard for their career choice. I'll get to be more active at work instead sitting behind a desk all day. The 3/12s a week with 4 days off sounds pretty good to me as you have a little leeway in scheduling your days to be able to take little trips. In my old job, to take a week off, I had to work overtime (salaried...not paid) to get all my work done before and after, so it never felt like you took a vacation and recharged your batteries.

It is definitely harder going to school than when I was younger. Of course, they make it a lot harder than it has to be. My program sounds a little more intense than some as my (BSN) program is very strenuous and was hard to get into (800-1000 applications for 100-150 openings). There is just so much information to deal with and do (book or 2 per class and some come in volumes, powerpoints, videos, online resources, research papers, presentations, projects, clinicals, labs, care plans...). I have lost many classmates, some to the class behind me and some no longer in the program, and gained some that were in the class ahead of me. So, make sure you are prepared to work hard as you will basically be learning a new language as well. I would recommend taking a medical terminology course beforehand, so that you will be familiar with what the professors are talking about (I felt like I didn't understand a thing being said the 1st month or so :D).

If you're ready to deal with all that, go for it! You only live once and full retirement benefits won't start for us until we're...what, 68 or 70, so you'll probably be working a couple more decades.

Sorry if I made it sound too bad, but don't want you thinking it is a walk in the park. I think it will be worth it for me!

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The "nursing culture" needs more males. I have been around nurses and nursing my entire adult life. I am now in my second semester of nursing school. I have always had respect for nurses (and still do). However, there are many aspects of the "culture of nursing" that I find reprehensible. The culture is extremely narcissistic.

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there are many aspects of the "culture of nursing" that I find reprehensible. The culture is extremely narcissistic.

Can you explain more what that means? I am just a beginning student and have never worked in a hospital or clinic. What is this culture?

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We need more male nurses! Men are fantastic nurses! Kathy

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