nursing really a viable option at 40? (just starting out, but tired!)

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 4, 2006

You'll probably get a lot of responses from people saying that a lot of nurses start their careers as old ... or older ... than you are. They'll say things like "Go for it!" etc. and they are not wrong in saying that -- IF you have a burning desire to be a nurse and if it is right for you. There are many successful nurses who started their careers at middle age.

However, you are also right in taking some time to seriously consider what you are getting yourself into. Most entry level jobs in nursing are physically demanding as well as intellectually and emotionally stressful and draining. You are right to ask yourself whether or not it is something you want to put yourself through at this point of your life. Some people enter the profession without thinking those things through sufficiently and then leave nursing when they realize how hard it is to actually work a 12 hour shift ... rotate shifts ... work holidays and weekends ... etc.

My suggestion is to explore your local job market and find out what types of jobs are available to new grads in your area. Ask any schools you are looking at to tell you about the types of jobs their recent graduate get. Look at the websites & job postings, etc. Then ask yourself whether or not you and your body can handle that type of work. If you have a burning desire to be a nurse and can handle the types of jobs you are likely to be able to get in your area ... then go for it. If not, think twice.

Good luck,

llg

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 4, 2006

I was 38 when I graduated, and even being overweight with some arthritis, I did just fine with floor nursing for several years. A lot depends on what sort of physical condition you're in to start with; I've always been able to get around pretty well no matter how heavy I was, mainly because I have a lot of muscle and I don't smoke.

I hit a wall around 45, though, and it's taken me a couple of years to finally understand that I can't do floor nursing any longer. It's just too hard on me, both physically and mentally, so I'm looking for something in administration; fortunately, I'm in a good position to find such a job because of my years on the floor, plus a couple in management (life experience, I've found, will get you a lot of places that a younger nurse might not be able to go).

So what I say is, follow your bliss..........you more than likely will need at least a couple of years on the floor to be eligible for less-demanding work down the line, and you're still young enough that you can fit that in before you get to the point where you'll want something easier on your aging body. Some nurses are still hale and hearty and working the floor in their 50s and 60s, although I think they're the exception rather than the rule; only you can decide if you can handle it.

Good luck to you, and please, keep us posted.:wink2:

Sheri257 · Jan 4, 2006

Physically, is nursing really a viable option at 40? I know 40 is not that old and that nursing can be a great field, but when I read all the horror stories I get worried.
Currently, I’m working two jobs: a full-time office job and a part-time retail job. I’m feeling rather creaky and sore even from just working an extra 15-20 hours a week in retail (often 20 hours a week, meaning 60 total – and during the Christmas season, 65 total). Even though I take a multivitamin and calcium supplements every day, I really feel the effects of working retail (due to all the shelf-stocking work - lots of bending down to reach the lower shelves, for example; closing-shift 30-45 minute vacuuming of the store fairly late in the evening after a full day of work, etc.)
Don’t nurses usually start out younger and then leave the field eventually, by around this time (40-45 yrs. old) – the same time I’d be starting out in nursing? (I’ve read there’s a high attrition rate in the field.)

Well ... I'll be graduating when I'm 45 so ... too late now. :chuckle

I won't give you the rah rah go team you can do it !!! nonsense ... because I know what you mean about the aches and pains. But what can you do? Sit on your butt all day? When I do that I just gain weight. So ... I just try to ignore it. And when you're busy, you don't think about it that much, although you do think about it when your feet hurt later. :chuckle

It is a physically demanding job but the key thing you'll discover as a student (and, if you work as an extern) is that RN's get to sit down every once in a while, which is a luxury and can also make a big difference in how much your feet hurt by the end of the day. Of course, since there are limited seats at the nursing station the RN's are usually the only ones who can sit down, so you have to wait and graduate before you have that luxury.

Also different specialties, floors and facilities are more physically demanding than others. A lot of it also depends on where you work and what the average patient census is. And also when you work ... nights and weekends can be, although are certainly not always, slower (ER for example, being an exception.)

The good news is that you do lose weight or, at least I have. And if you really can't take it anymore there's a million desk jobs you can do with an RN degree.

:coollook:

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 4, 2006

I'll be graduating at 37 and I have fibromyalgia and also some arthritis starting in my hands. I found a job that is five 8-hour shifts, e/o weekend, evenings only, instead of three 12's. Plus 12h of call/week so conceivably there will be some 12's in there but it won't be all the time. I think I'll be able to do it. Plus I looked around to find what I wanted to do which is post-partum. Yes I will be running around and all but its not the high-acutiy stuff like ED or ICU etc.(at least not too often.)

So I think that if you decide you want to do it, and are worried about how your body will handle it, you might consider some (relatively) easier paced areas of nursing.

Right now you are working up to 60h/week. You might not have that many hours as a nurse (I sure hope that doesn't happen to me either!) so your body may well react completely differently than it does now.

suzy253, RN · Jan 4, 2006

I should hope it's viable. I started school at 49 and graduate this year at 53. I'm not in the best of shape either--but I'm working on it. I've never had any problems on clinicals--sure I come home tired, feet are hurting, whatever but that's no different than someone younger. I'm looking forward to my nursing as this is something I've always wanted.

Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2006

I graduated at 43, and I'm still working 20 years later. Older nurses bring a lot of past experience, even if it's a second or third career.

I started out as a volunteer on an OB/Peds unit, so I had some idea of the work before I went to school. Since I graduated, my work has almost always been with children, although I did a year and a half of med/surg first. For the last 13 years, I've worked in a NICU, not so hard physically as working with adults. My feet get tired, and it helps to have more than one pair of good shoes for work.

I read somewhere that the average age of a nurse is 47, so you will fit right in!

You are already working lots of hours, probably not paid enough, either, to be working two jobs.

Go for it!

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 5, 2006

Physically, is nursing really a viable option at 40? I know 40 is not that old and that nursing can be a great field, but when I read all the horror stories I get worried.
...

Hi km05,

I suggest that you call a few local hospitals and talk with their nurse recruiters to get a feel for the facility and to pick their brains, find out about them and ask if they can schedule for you to shadow with a nurse for a day or two or even a few hours, to see what you think.

This way you can get a true feel, you will meet nurses your age and older, (I am 39.5 and feel very lucky about creaks and such). Sure there are aches and pains at the end of a 12 hour super busy shift and stretching, support hose and regular exercise may help. I am a VERY big believer in only wearing good supportive shoes and if I remember, support socks.

I swear, I can tell immediately when my shoes go, when their support or cushion is gone or there are just too many miles on them because my legs, knees, back and feet feel fatigued.

Good luck,

Gen

p.s. I ought to graduate by the time I am 41. :)