I am 46 year old WOCN with tons of experience in wound care which I truly love. However, the work is taking a tall on my body and I am beginning to wander if its time for me again to return to school to become an NP. My concern is that by the time I am going to be done with the program and licensing, my age (49 -50, if all goes as planed) would be an interfering factor to getting hired. Would love to hear your opinion and your experience on the topic. (I am open to all fields of medicine practice, not just wound care, but probably would be a better fit for low stress area).
I encountered age discrimination at 37, and ever since. From what I have seen as the prevailing attitude, age discrimination is going to be a factor no matter what you do. I would do as previously suggested. Seriously consider whether you can afford to make this change, especially if it does not pan out the way you would like. It might be a safer bet in the long run to seek a less strenuous RN position. Many NP end up working as RNs anyway. At least you would not be subject to the wasted time, effort, and expense of NP school when you need to be secure in your preparation for retirement.
I just had to chime in and say I’m 37 but I look older; several of my classmates were in their 50s, and all of us walked into the jobs we wanted out of RN school. I know that wasn’t your question— yours is about NP school— but when I read this commentor’s blanket statement about age discrimination being widespread, I had to comment. It is no doubt a problem in some places, but it is far from universal.
NP work can also be soul-sucking and grueling. IMHO, you should work as may hours as you can hear and save for retirement. Retirement is awesome, only if you don't have to worry about income.
NP work can also be soul-sucking and grueling. IMHO, you should work as may hours as you can hear and save for retirement. Retirement is awesome, only if you don't have to worry about income.
That's exactly what I'm trying to do as a Cath Lab RN right now! I was so stuck on wanting to do CRNA forever... and still am considering. But for now I have a lot of access to call-pay and I am socking it away for an early retirement. Totally agree with you.
If you decide not to go the NP route, consider switching over to an industry job. With many years of experience as a WOCN, you would be shoe in for one of the dressing and ostomy companies.
CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN
928 Posts
I just had to chime in and say I’m 37 but I look older; several of my classmates were in their 50s, and all of us walked into the jobs we wanted out of RN school. I know that wasn’t your question— yours is about NP school— but when I read this commentor’s blanket statement about age discrimination being widespread, I had to comment. It is no doubt a problem in some places, but it is far from universal.