Midlife Career Change - Need Advice!

MICU RN · Nov 22, 2003

BEfore you run off and start taking prereq.s do yourself a big favor and go shadow some RNs in units you think you would be interested in. If then you decide you want to do it, by all means go for it( I will be forty when I graduate with my MSN) I would also recommend you look into an accelerated BSN program for people with such extensive education as you have. You will probably fit in better with that peer group as opposed to a class with twenty something year old pupils in a traditional BSN program or at a community college that offers a ASN.

Also because of your education background I would look at accelerated BSN/MSN were you can become a NP in usually 3 years. You may also want to shadow a NP.

The reason I bring up the MSN/NP possibility is because if you are already use to providing counselling and have a masters degree, it may be hard to give up that kind of autonomy. Bediside nursing offers plenty of rewards, but it is also very hard physical work that does not allow as much autonomy as many other college educated professions.

So make sure you know what you are really getting into, as I said shadowing some real nurses is about the best way I know of to see what it is really like. Good luck and check out alll of your options. One of the great things about nursing is that it offers many different options (bedside nursing, teaching, advanced practice nursing, ect.).

nurse07 · Nov 26, 2003

Hi Mommy/ Grandma,

Im 26 years old( I know what your saying ) and im also a mother to a two year old little boy:p

Im going back to school next year and i was just wondering if u could let me know how u found the experence of starting over. I havent studied for 10 years so im a little scared.

Any advice.

Cheers Lace

Mommy/Grandma · Nov 26, 2003

I found it to be a very rewarding experience, not to say at times I cried my eyes out to my daughter who also is an LPN. I was the oldest in my class my instructor was even younger then me not by much but still. But we all had fun going through it togeather. When someone failed at something we were all there to give encouragment and move on. I was on the honor roll for the entire time I still can't believe it. You find how strong of a person you are because it isn't easy. I went full time and traved an hour each way just to go. If it is something you really want to do, then you will find the strengh to do it. I wish you all the luck:)

umilta · Nov 28, 2003

You are not alone. I was recently terminated from my job I've held for 11 years. Recently, I've complained how I wish I can take time off and return to college to major in nursing. I was in total disbelief for the first month, two days after I made the decision to return to college to pursue a degree in nursing. I now have four prerequisites to complete this spring and hopefully this upcoming fall I can start the nursing program. My concerns are the difficulties in transfering to another university because many you lose many credits. Wish me luck.

umilta · Nov 28, 2003

You are not alone. I was recently terminated from my job I've held for 11 years. Recently, I've complained how I wish I can take time off and return to college to major in nursing. I was in total disbelief for the first month, two days after I made the decision to return to college to pursue a degree in nursing. I now have four prerequisites to complete this spring and hopefully this upcoming fall I can start the nursing program. My concerns are the difficulties in transfering to another university because many you lose many credits. Wish me luck.

umilta · Nov 28, 2003

Hi, How was it? I'm headed in that direction this spring. After being employed for 11years in an educational institution I will be returning to college to pursue a degree in nursing. There are many excelerated programs for LPN then I guess you can pursue the nursing degree, I don't know what do think is best from your experience.

Umilta, 37

loriann, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2003

I don't consider myself to be "mid-life," but am in the process of going to nursing school. I have a masters degree in social work and have worked the last 6 years doing a combination of direct practice and administrative work. Wanting to leave the administrative piece in social work behind and not finding the direct practice work very interesting, I took a job in a hospital as a discharge planner. I work on a med-surg floor and an inpatient rehab floor and watch the nurses daily.

Has anyone else here left the field of social work/social services and if so, why did you choose to go into nursing?

heatherbless · Nov 29, 2003

You guys--it is great to know that there are some of us clinical people that have masters degrees/like mine-is in counseling/although I never got my LPC--well, anyway, I am starting my BSN, and I really feel positive about all of this.

and as for Larry--you are never too old to do whatever you set your mind too. That dude needs some counseling--but-our fees are probably too high for him anyway:p

bets/hty:imbar

foxdude43 · Dec 2, 2003

always go for it no matter what your age!

i started school for nursing at the age of 36 after a career on active duty military. i have absolutely emjoyed that nursing is a wide open field right now. and it will be for many years to come. the opportunities are endless and earning potential is well worth it. i graduated at the age of 40 and have been so happy since then. it was worth it and now i'm considering either getting into legal nurse consulting or just getting my msn. the world is my oyster.

wonderfulmom · Dec 2, 2003

Nursing is not as bad as some people on these boards make it sound. I have a lot of friends who are nurses and they are very happy with the career. They like the flexibility and the pay. Just keep that in mind and ask any nurses you know whether or not they are happy with thier career to get a balanced viewpoint. BTW I am 38 and have my application in to go to nursing school next year. Good luck.

arbley · Dec 2, 2003

Originally posted by LarryG
No way you're too old!

Don't even think about it!

Larry, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understood your post to mean something positive.

I think what Larry meant was, There's no way you are too old. Don't just sit there and THINK about it. Just do it.

victorious53 · Dec 12, 2003

Chris, tuition reimbursement sounds like a way to go. may i ask what hospital/medical facility you are employed at?