Husband wants to try nursing at 44

casualjim · May 10, 2005

I'm with the "go for it" group. I'm 43, just retiring from the Navy and in pre-reqs now. Look at it from the other end of the telescope, what'll he do if he decides not to be a nurse? Back to a job that already burnt him out? It's do-able, and as you well know, worthwhile.

aloha

Jim

FNimuaeMae · May 10, 2005

Hey-

I graduated in 1999, and one of the guys in my class was 54. I say go for it!

Missy

BamaBound2bRN · May 12, 2005

I think it is an excellent choice. I am 39 and just left Wally(Mart)World where I worked 80 weeks generating 400 Million in sales for the largest retailer. I look forward to a career helping others who want and need my help.

I am his second wife and ever since he's known me I've been doing prereqs, on the waiting list, in nursing school and now, finally - an RN! So here I am a new grad RN and he has decided belatedly that he would like to try nursing.
His background is this: BS in Computer Science, many desk jobs in programming and teaching programming, some experience working in retail management. He is a GREAT teacher, and a GREAT salesman. He also is a dive instructor so has some experience with search and rescue and helping drowning people, etc. He is also fantastic with kids (has five of his own), the kind of big teddy bear type of guy that kids and dogs just love. He has been burned out on programming/retail for awhile now and hates the 9-5 desk thing. He has been staying home the last year to raise our 1 yr old while I finished school.
I think that actually he would make a fantastic nurse but we are both sort of daunted by the idea of starting all over again - with the prereqs, the classes, the studying, the NCLEX, etc. Is it worth it for him to try? Is it too late? Anyone other males out there who decided to recareer as a nurse at this age?
Melissa

gwt · May 16, 2005

HI,

I'm 46, just finished 5 semesters of pre-reqs and begin 5 semesters of nursing classes for my BSN this fall. I just love it. He will know after a good semester or two of the requisites if it's for him. I never went to college a day in my life before this and dropped out of hight school to work for a living. I've aced all but 4 classes out of 68 cedit hours and settled in at a university level school just nicely last year. My experience is that it is 99% personal responsibility, but I have found everyone from students to professors to be extremely helpful. They want you to succeed!

Ex130Load · May 16, 2005

Am ex-military too. Completed my last final a week ago for BSN and am staring at a quickly approaching 50. The earlier comments about forcing an older body and brain to go through the rigors of nursing and the benefit of "being in shape" are so true. I like my sleep and wish I could get back what I lost. LOL Old brains work less efficiently... meaning papers can take longer to write... meaning I lost more sleep than the younger ones. I and another older student often joked, griped, and *****ed (while drinking coffee and diet Cokes) about how many near sleepless nights were enduring. Alas, water under the bridge now.

It may not be pretty or easy, but it can be done at an older age. That shouldn't be the preclusionary factor.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 16, 2005

Please encourage him and support him the way he did you. Age doesn't matter! We need the nurses!

I'm currently precepting a 2nd Career new grad RN that's male and in his 40s. He's a great nurse and has many years left to practice.

Congrats on finishing the long journey yourself. :)

CIORN · May 22, 2005

Tell your husband to go for it! The combination of IT skills with a clinical/nursing background is a combination that is hard to find and much sought after. I was in IT in my 20's and went back to nursing school and worked in the icu for 2 years before moving on to a software vendor. I eventually became a CIO in a 200 bed hospital and have since moved on to be a IT director in a large IHN (7 hospitals).

You husband can write his own ticket and earn a nice income if he chooses to pursue nursing in combination wth his IT skills. I would suggest that he work on the floor for a year or two before he makes the leap into the healthcare IT arena - it adds credibility. Please feel free to email if you like:

[email protected]

I am his second wife and ever since he's known me I've been doing prereqs, on the waiting list, in nursing school and now, finally - an RN! So here I am a new grad RN and he has decided belatedly that he would like to try nursing.
His background is this: BS in Computer Science, many desk jobs in programming and teaching programming, some experience working in retail management. He is a GREAT teacher, and a GREAT salesman. He also is a dive instructor so has some experience with search and rescue and helping drowning people, etc. He is also fantastic with kids (has five of his own), the kind of big teddy bear type of guy that kids and dogs just love. He has been burned out on programming/retail for awhile now and hates the 9-5 desk thing. He has been staying home the last year to raise our 1 yr old while I finished school.
I think that actually he would make a fantastic nurse but we are both sort of daunted by the idea of starting all over again - with the prereqs, the classes, the studying, the NCLEX, etc. Is it worth it for him to try? Is it too late? Anyone other males out there who decided to recareer as a nurse at this age?
Melissa

Diahni · May 22, 2005

I think that actually he would make a fantastic nurse but we are both sort of daunted by the idea of starting all over again - with the prereqs, the classes, the studying, the NCLEX, etc. Is it worth it for him to try? Is it too late? Anyone other males out there who decided to recareer as a nurse at this age?

Melissa

HI Melissa - I just finished my first year of an ADN program. Since I already have a BA in Biology, I'll be able to continue for my nursing master's degree - I'm not sure which yet. I am 52. You are NEVER too old to do anything except maybe be a gymnast. Tell your husband to go for it. We need some male nurses. Don't forget we're all living longer, too. One of the good things about being a baby boomer is we can't quite get it through our heads we are "old." Another good thing about starting something new later in life is experiences and and relationships that make your life more interesting. Also, just think about how much more you'll have to talk about.

And if you ever "retire," and travel around, you can both do travel nursing.

Not only is it a great idea, he'll probably inspire others to do the same.

Diahni

flibble · May 22, 2005

Tell your husband to go for it! My husband was 38 and a 15 year police veteran. He wanted some job less political. I encouraged him to try nursing. He didn't think he could compete with the younger kids and work to support his family. I knew he could! He went back to school and blew the youngsters away. He won every academic award possible and was Student Nurse Assoc. President and had a 4.0 and worked full time and took care of a disabled wife.They still have his picture on the school's web site . He was wooed by every hospital around. Good Luck! Flibble

alintanurse · May 22, 2005

In my graduating class were 2 women who were both 55 years old. They were both able to find jobs right out of nursing school. So I know it can be done!

mstigerlily · May 23, 2005

Wow, thanks to everyone for your assistance and encouragement. We are excited about the prospect of him going to nursing school now!

And icumonkey (sorry you didn't sign your name) I will be sure to pass on your e-mail to my husband, I'm sure he would be interested in talking with you. Thanks so much!

Melissa

Tell your husband to go for it! The combination of IT skills with a clinical/nursing background is a combination that is hard to find and much sought after. I was in IT in my 20's and went back to nursing school and worked in the icu for 2 years before moving on to a software vendor. I eventually became a CIO in a 200 bed hospital and have since moved on to be a IT director in a large IHN (7 hospitals).
You husband can write his own ticket and earn a nice income if he chooses to pursue nursing in combination wth his IT skills. I would suggest that he work on the floor for a year or two before he makes the leap into the healthcare IT arena - it adds credibility. Please feel free to email if you like:
[email protected]

mgladius · May 23, 2005

Hello, I am one of those males that started as an RN as a second career. Cut to the chase, yes he can do it. The problem in life is regrets. If he never ventures forward, he may have many regrets in later years. I was a detective before and army reserve officer before being activate with Desert Storm and getting a first hand tour of Kuwait. I did a lot of reflecting during my activation and came home, resigned form my detective's job and went to nursing and have not looked back. I am on active duty as a Nurse Corps Officer with the US Air Force and have been back to Kuwait again and all over the world. I find that I use many of my old skills daily in addition to my emergency room skills. Yes he can do it.

I am his second wife and ever since he's known me I've been doing prereqs, on the waiting list, in nursing school and now, finally - an RN! So here I am a new grad RN and he has decided belatedly that he would like to try nursing.
His background is this: BS in Computer Science, many desk jobs in programming and teaching programming, some experience working in retail management. He is a GREAT teacher, and a GREAT salesman. He also is a dive instructor so has some experience with search and rescue and helping drowning people, etc. He is also fantastic with kids (has five of his own), the kind of big teddy bear type of guy that kids and dogs just love. He has been burned out on programming/retail for awhile now and hates the 9-5 desk thing. He has been staying home the last year to raise our 1 yr old while I finished school.
I think that actually he would make a fantastic nurse but we are both sort of daunted by the idea of starting all over again - with the prereqs, the classes, the studying, the NCLEX, etc. Is it worth it for him to try? Is it too late? Anyone other males out there who decided to recareer as a nurse at this age?
Melissa