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Folks, I need some advice.

A little back ground. I am a forty-two year old, husband and father of two that has been employed as a sales engineer for the past 20 years. Several life experiences, including an exposure to flight nursing via my service as a first responder and volunteer firefighter, have led me to the conviction that my calling is to serve others as a nurse. I am close to completing my pre-requisites for nursing school and have been accepted to a local accelerated BSN program (16 months) which begins this fall.

I am posting on this forum because I need input from all of the other (please tell me there are other) "older" dads out there who are pursuing a mid-life change into nursing while having to support a family. Specifically:

* How are you financing your career change?

* How much is this costing you (tuition and living expenses while in school)?

* How much of a pay cut are you taking to pursue this calling?

* Have I lost my ever-loving mind?

I am sincerely looking for input as I am currently riding the roller coaster of excitement for finally finding my calling and the feelings of quilt/fear for what this may mean financially to the family that I love. Some input to consider as I seek your advice:

1) The BSN program that I am pursuing will cost over $30K and I expect to spend another $45K in basic living expenses for the family. (There are no local public school programs that offer an accelerated format and time is money with a family of four.)

2) My current income is approximately $90K.

3) Upon completion of my BSN, my goal is to immediately enroll in an ACNP program while working at night at a local Level 1 Trauma Center. I would ultimately like to work as a Nurse Practitioner in an ER with a PRN position with a flight program.

4) My wife supports me on this 100%. She is great.

Am I crazy for giving up so much financially to pursue this goal. Will this financial sacrifice be forever or can I expect to get reasonably close eventually. Has anyone else done this? Should I "punt" and resign myself to an empty (but profitable) career?

Sorry for the long post. I really need to get all of this out. Thanks for the sounding board.

Browndog

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

After reading so many of the posts here I think some have lost the whole point of nursing school. Some think that having your BSN equals much higher pay than an ASN or even Diploma. Wrong! Also I think I am hearing between the lines that getting into a ADN program is even harder than a BSN program. It seems to be true because throughtout the whole Forum site it seems that this is the case. It is hard to give advice on what direction to go, ADN vs BSN, because I see no difference. I have been out of school for 29 years and really can't remember much about, so to speak of. It was hard in some areas and very easy in others. I did my whole nursing experience in 2 years, includind ALL pre-reqs and nursing classes. I was in the very first graduating class for the school, so we were an experiment and had to do well for the rep of the college. My only advice would be to go were ever you can get into a nursing program, ADN or BSN, the easiest. Get out there in the working world, get some experience under your belt, get a feel for nursing in general and if you went the ADN way there are a multitude of on-line, post grad BSN programs you can take. Also, your employer will pick up the tab for most classes. Most people want instant gradification, "I want my BSN and I want it NOW!" Some people are also being given the impression that having a BSN will be the entry level for nursing eventually. I agree, it will eventually but not in my life-time. So if being a nurse is your real goal don't waste time holding out for a BSN program that has a witing list 2 years long! Get into something that will payoff quicker. By the way, I have a ADN degree and really don't plan on getting my BSN, why? I already make more than twice what the MAJORITY of BSN grads make now and only have about 10 yrs more to work full-time, so I don't see the point. Also you guys thinking about rad tech school, please go the whole route and don't settle for a "limited tech cert", they are as useful as t*ts on a boar! Good luck to everybody because we need everyone of you. Mike

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... it also stinks that my prior BA + ADN would not = BSN. What's the (practical)difference?...

Think the prior advice you were given is dead wrong. Believe you should be able to argue convincingly to a unit or HR manager that a BA and a law degree are way more than a BSN. That degree is basically a nursing ADN with additional humanities and other enhancer courses.

Suggest you get all the pre-req's (A & P, Micro, etc.) out of the way while still employed and waiting for admission to nursing school. You'll likely be able to waive out of many non-nursing courses.

Good luck!

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Actually I am trying to figure a way to keep working as a lawyer while taking the prereqs, then getting into a 15-month acclerated BSN program. .[/quote']

I took all my pre-reqs, including sciences with lab online. Makes it a heck of a lot easier to get them done and still work. The cost is quite reasonable too. I took them through both www.iowacconline.com and www.ccconline.org

All the schools in MA that I applied to accepted them. Check it out with the schools you are considering.

CCConline the labs are more hands on. I took micro though COlorado. The lab is very hands on and time intensive and if they fix all the errors in the lab manual it will be quite great. I highly recommend the instructor, Kathy Allshouse. The Chem at Iowa is a virtual lab that is pretty cool along with a few simple hands on experiments at home.

Hope this helps and good luck, ( sorry, this is a girl butting in on the boys club too):smackingf

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Folks, I need some advice.

A little back ground. I am a forty-two year old, husband and father of two that has been employed as a sales engineer for the past 20 years. Several life experiences, including an exposure to flight nursing via my service as a first responder and volunteer firefighter, have led me to the conviction that my calling is to serve others as a nurse. I am close to completing my pre-requisites for nursing school and have been accepted to a local accelerated BSN program (16 months) which begins this fall.

I am posting on this forum because I need input from all of the other (please tell me there are other) "older" dads out there who are pursuing a mid-life change into nursing while having to support a family. Specifically:

* How are you financing your career change?

* How much is this costing you (tuition and living expenses while in school)?

* How much of a pay cut are you taking to pursue this calling?

* Have I lost my ever-loving mind?

I am sincerely looking for input as I am currently riding the roller coaster of excitement for finally finding my calling and the feelings of quilt/fear for what this may mean financially to the family that I love. Some input to consider as I seek your advice:

1) The BSN program that I am pursuing will cost over $30K and I expect to spend another $45K in basic living expenses for the family. (There are no local public school programs that offer an accelerated format and time is money with a family of four.)

2) My current income is approximately $90K.

3) Upon completion of my BSN, my goal is to immediately enroll in an ACNP program while working at night at a local Level 1 Trauma Center. I would ultimately like to work as a Nurse Practitioner in an ER with a PRN position with a flight program.

4) My wife supports me on this 100%. She is great.

Am I crazy for giving up so much financially to pursue this goal. Will this financial sacrifice be forever or can I expect to get reasonably close eventually. Has anyone else done this? Should I "punt" and resign myself to an empty (but profitable) career?

Sorry for the long post. I really need to get all of this out. Thanks for the sounding board.

Browndog

If your concern is mainly income, then dont be concerned. You can make great money as an RN, and even better money as an ACNP if you are good at what you do, pick the right specialty, shift and place of work. I know an ACNP that rounds for a Cardiologist. He makes 220k/year! He is the exception to the rule but here in TN you can make 60-80k entry level as an ACNP and thats days only with no overtime. I will make 100k this year as a regular RN doing acute dialysis. However, I work a lot of overtime and take call. RN's that work odd shift like weekenders that do overtime during the week can easily make 100k. I know many that actually have taken a pay cut to go back for their nurse practioner since a green practioner usually only gets around 60k. However, once you've been in a practice awhile and earn your stripes, the pay can go up dramatically like the one working with the cardiologist.

Hope this info helps, good luck!

PS: I'm a guy and just to let you know nursing has a lot of shortfalls just like any other career. The grass may look greener on the other side but thats just cuz there is bullshit being used as fertilizer! What I'm trying to say is think hard before you change because everything has its ups and downs. Ironically, I know a lawyer who works as an RN but its because he never could make that much as a lawyer and working as an RN was a guranteed income for his family.

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Specializes in Trauma, Emergency, Urgent Care.
If your concern is mainly income, then dont be concerned.

PS: I'm a guy and just to let you know nursing has a lot of shortfalls just like any other career. The grass may look greener on the other side but thats just cuz there is bullshit being used as fertilizer! What I'm trying to say is think hard before you change because everything has its ups and downs. QUOTE]

vortex72-

Thanks for the post and great information.

Vortex72, please understand that, while I am concerned about the financial implications of a 180 degree career change in mid-life, my primary concern is finding a way to pursue this path for deeper reasons. I certainly do not view nursing as a "greener pasture" in the commonly refered to way (in fact it is probably a browner pasture in my case with regard to financial, work-hours, emotional stress, political, exposure to hazards, paperwork and other concerns)....but I do hope that it will prove to be a greener pasture for me with regard to service,purpose and calling. I also hope to find it to be intellectually challenging.

Maybe I do need a reality check here. I noted that you are in Tennessee. Would it be possible for me get your input regarding nursing and specifically APN nursing in this market? How are males accepted? What about "older" folks like me? What are the worst parts of the job? The best? Should I reconsider the PA path?

Any other information that you think I could use before I jump off the deep end would be appreciated. I am enrolled in an accelerated program this fall and time is running out.

Thanks again,

browndog

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If your concern is mainly income, then dont be concerned.

PS: I'm a guy and just to let you know nursing has a lot of shortfalls just like any other career. The grass may look greener on the other side but thats just cuz there is bullshit being used as fertilizer! What I'm trying to say is think hard before you change because everything has its ups and downs. QUOTE]

vortex72-

Thanks for the post and great information.

Vortex72, please understand that, while I am concerned about the financial implications of a 180 degree career change in mid-life, my primary concern is finding a way to pursue this path for deeper reasons. I certainly do not view nursing as a "greener pasture" in the commonly refered to way (in fact it is probably a browner pasture in my case with regard to financial, work-hours, emotional stress, political, exposure to hazards, paperwork and other concerns)....but I do hope that it will prove to be a greener pasture for me with regard to service,purpose and calling. I also hope to find it to be intellectually challenging.

Maybe I do need a reality check here. I noted that you are in Tennessee. Would it be possible for me get your input regarding nursing and specifically APN nursing in this market? How are males accepted? What about "older" folks like me? What are the worst parts of the job? The best? Should I reconsider the PA path?

Any other information that you think I could use before I jump off the deep end would be appreciated. I am enrolled in an accelerated program this fall and time is running out.

Thanks again,

browndog

Males are accepted fine and age is not an issue. In fact, most places I've worked love having male nurses since we tend to bring balance to a predominantly female area (testosterone diluting the estrogen). Ironically, in some of the areas that males gravitate to like ICU and ER you might find yourself working some shifts with all male nurses!

If your ultimate goal is to provide care as a midlevel provider(ACNP or PA) then you might still consider PA school since you could possibly go straight into a PA program after getting a few prerequisites(considering you already have a degree in something else)

PA's and NP's are basically interchangeable jobs in the medical community. The advantage to nursing is you can always get your RN and try out a variety of medical settings, then you'll be more attuned to what speciality you'd like to pursue as a practitioner. There is family nurse practitioner, pediatric, psychiatric, acute, etc. Also, in many states NP's have more autonomy than PA's(some states you can open your OWN practice and practice independently provided you stay in your realm of practice according to that state's nurse practice act) Anyway, there are many things to consider. Hope my info helped some.

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I feel that the BSN route is the best course for nursing. If one chooses to be a floor nurse then there is really no reason to have a BSN. The two-year RNs seem to have parity with four-year RNs in regard to payscale. I am from Ohio and my area starts at 23-25 per hour (46K to 50K) plus shift differential and overtime. I have a friend that is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and he started at 125K plus a signing bonus and moving expenses. Nursing can be lucrative if you work the overtime and work more than the seemingly standard 36 hour week (I still can't imagine only working 36 hours a week). I would be going from 70+ hour weeks to XXX hours. Still blows my mind but I digress.

Most hospitals are non-profits and provide a 403(b) program for the employees with some offering matching up to x percent. Full medical packages are the norm (med, vision, and dental plus some offer STD and LTD) with a nominal co-pay. The two larger hospitals in my area offer daycare, sick leave, etc as well.

If you are interested in advanced care then a BSN is a must unless your area offers a bridge program from a two-year program to a MSN. The CRNA program I am interested in requires a 3.0+ and takes 27 months to complete. After speaking to several people who are APNs the consensus seems to be that one should have five years experience before entering into the APN programs.

Hope this bit of information helps.

Craig

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Sounds like your wife is supportive enough. It just means that with a pay cut that you can still live within your means and not get into a bunch of debt. Going from 90K to 60 or so is a big cut. Changes may have to be made. Good Luck it can be done.

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Folks, I need some advice.

A little back ground. I am a forty-two year old, husband and father of two that has been employed as a sales engineer for the past 20 years. Several life experiences, including an exposure to flight nursing via my service as a first responder and volunteer firefighter, have led me to the conviction that my calling is to serve others as a nurse. I am close to completing my pre-requisites for nursing school and have been accepted to a local accelerated BSN program (16 months) which begins this fall.

I am posting on this forum because I need input from all of the other (please tell me there are other) "older" dads out there who are pursuing a mid-life change into nursing while having to support a family. Specifically:

* How are you financing your career change?

* How much is this costing you (tuition and living expenses while in school)?

* How much of a pay cut are you taking to pursue this calling?

* Have I lost my ever-loving mind?

I am sincerely looking for input as I am currently riding the roller coaster of excitement for finally finding my calling and the feelings of quilt/fear for what this may mean financially to the family that I love. Some input to consider as I seek your advice:

1) The BSN program that I am pursuing will cost over $30K and I expect to spend another $45K in basic living expenses for the family. (There are no local public school programs that offer an accelerated format and time is money with a family of four.)

2) My current income is approximately $90K.

3) Upon completion of my BSN, my goal is to immediately enroll in an ACNP program while working at night at a local Level 1 Trauma Center. I would ultimately like to work as a Nurse Practitioner in an ER with a PRN position with a flight program.

4) My wife supports me on this 100%. She is great.

Am I crazy for giving up so much financially to pursue this goal. Will this financial sacrifice be forever or can I expect to get reasonably close eventually. Has anyone else done this? Should I "punt" and resign myself to an empty (but profitable) career?

Sorry for the long post. I really need to get all of this out. Thanks for the sounding board.

Browndog

Well i would like to say i am make over 100K as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Room and Urgent where i have been working for four years, but Im not.... the salary is more like 60-65k.....and for as much time as you put in for education, CE, meetings for administrative information etc....it almost seems like it not worth it.

Dont get me wrong I love treating the patients and get great gratification from education, treating and healing each person weither its talking or medication management. The money is just not all that.

The only way I think we as nurse practitioner can boost our pay is not to accept low pay scale when we are essentially functioning as physicians with out that extra 100k....best of luck to you in your educational experience.

John Bailey

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

ASSIST DIRECTOR of EMERGENCY SERVICES

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I'm on my last two pre-reqs. Hope to start school by August 2006 at the latest. To answer these questions:

* How are you financing your career change?

I work as a management consultant and I have saved lots of money during the past 2 years while doing my pre-reqs. I am also doing an ADN notwithstanding my BA/MBA degrees. ADN is cheaper and I can always take a bridge program for BSN if I choose. Who needs $30k in debt?

* How much is this costing you (tuition and living expenses while in school)?

Community college is around $6k in total. My wife works and we have money saved for day care expenses - plus some money to pay ourselves a stipend each month to supplement her salary.

* How much of a pay cut are you taking to pursue this calling?

Plenty!

* Have I lost my ever-loving mind?

If following your heart and pursuing your goal is losing your mind - yes!

We can accomodate my career change because we live VERY MODESTLY for our income level. We have no debt, a small mortgage, and paid-off cars. While my co-workers drive BMW(s) I drive a 10 year-old Saturn and a Ford Escape. I still lose sleep thinking about money issues, but we prepared for the inevitable.

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Specializes in Urgent Care.
since nursing shortages hit the headlines, it's drawing in people from a lot of different backgrounds and professions. although a lawyer i have not met yet, i guess their personality is so different they would never be attracted to nursing (unless their choice of law was a mistake to begin with :melody: ...)

former it worker here, and god, i hope i never see a former lawyer as a nurse.

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It can be done.

I'm new here. But I've been a student on his way to an ASN since 2003.

I'm 40, got let go from my IT consulting position making 73K and wound up becoming a stay-at-home-dad to my then 4 month old boy. Since I had no degree in anything, I opted to go back to school. My son is now 3 and a half, and I'm in my second year of the nursing program at a local community college. I graduate in May, and cant wait.

Meanwhile, I spend our savings to bridge the gap between what it costs to live and why my wife earns. Once I'm working, I'll pay myself back. I hope.

Good luck.

ND

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