Old man thinking of nursing

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Need some opinions here. I am a 39 year old married father of 3 considering a career change to nursing. I have worked in the corporate world for the past 18 years and have hated most of them. I have always wanted a job helping people and a job that gave me the satisfaction that I am helping making the world a better place versus making rich stockholders richer. My question is, does anyone know how successful older nursing students are, and more specifically how successful older male nursing students are. Having the responsibilities that I do, I would have to continue to work full time, while going to school part time. The program I am looking into is a 4 year program, 3 evenings per week and every other weekend. Has anyone taken on a task like this at this stage of their life? Best case is I would graduate at 43 or 44. How hard is it to find employment as a brand new graduate that is in their mid 40's and male? Does anyone have any personal experience or know anyone that has done this. On one hand, I feel pretty confident I would make a very good nurse and it would give me great job satisfaction, on the other hand I think I am nuts for even considering it.

I am 39 and went into the Direct Entry program. I had similar desires to help people and make a difference. DO IT. This is the time because you still have 25+ years of work ahead of you and there are so many different avenues to take once you have the license.

Good Luck,

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I think you should definetly go for it! We have a lot on common actually besides the age thing. (I still don't think youre old though). I recently turned 26, and have a BA in pscyhology. I work 40 hours a week as a director of a group home, I am married and I have two kids under 2. I dont have much time for anything else, but I am not happy in my present job and really want to be an RN. I'm currently pre-nursing classes, but should be in the nursing program this time next year. I only have the money for one class a semester (money and time for that matter). But I know I'm in the right place and I cant wait to be a nurse some day. Go for it, Man! Now is most certianly the time! Good Luck!

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Just do it....I went back at 46 and graduated at 47 with an accelerated option nursing degree...

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Specializes in Psych, Vascular/MedSurg.

I was 41 when I went to nursing school and I'm a male. I graduated in 2006 at 44 yoa and have received nothing but positive responses and welcoming arms in the field. I can't believe the options and fun I have. DO it and you will never look back and be sorry.

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I'm 44 and just received my RN after over 20 years in law enforcement. So I guess your never too old.... :)

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Specializes in TELE / ER/PACU/ICU.

Definitely not too old, but the job makes me feel that way some days. It is demanding to say the least. Like anyone thinking about the field I encourage you to shadow and/or work as a tech. Really make sure you like it. I too left the corporate world and there are days when I actually miss completing audit workpapers. Yes, it can be rewarding, but also very frustrating. Not trying to discourage, rather trying to encourage you to take your time and make the right decision for you. Good luck!

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All the responses are very encouraging and appreciated and are very similar to what I am getting from friends and family! It makes the decision to at least try, much easier.

Thanks all.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
All the responses are very encouraging and appreciated and are very similar to what I am getting from friends and family! It makes the decision to at least try, much easier.

Thanks all.

*** I think nursing is a great career field for men (I am 36y/o male). I am very lucky in that half of the 56 nurses in my ICU are men. Hardly any in the rest of the hospital. Nursing is easy compared to my last two jobs.

However I have found it somewhat difficult having a young man or women in their early 20's with little life experience as a preceptor or boss. In nursing whatever you did before is irrelevant. Nobody will want to hear about it and you will not be given any credit for your life experience.

I suggest you try to get a job in ICU. Most use primary nursing model vs team model, very technical aspects to learn, lots of equipment and best of all tons of autonomy. More autonomy that you will get in other areas of nursing unless you go to advanced practice. I seldom float to the med/surg but when I do I always get in trouble. "Who gave you an order for that?" me: "well it never occurred to me to call a doctor for that".

ICU is where the action is.

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Just got here and was thinking I must be the only old guy wanting to do this. Thanks to everyone here for making me feel like I will belong. (haven't even begun yet--starting CNA training in three weeks and then cleaning up pre-reqs before applying for real).:coollook:

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I will be 36 when I graduate and I'm not even close to being the oldest in my program! There are a lot more "experienced" people going back to school! Did I want to go back to school? hell no,lol But I moved to the USA from Canada and was starting at square 1! I was in the Canadian Armed Forces for nearly 15 yrs, not relating to nursing at all!

Finding school demanding, but so far so good. Best of luck

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I just turned 37 and will be graduating with my nursing degree in May. It has been pretty rough financially since I took the plunge three years ago, but I do not regret a second of it. I am the oldest guy in my nursing class, but that has not been a problem at all. In fact, nearly all of my instructors have commented that having several older students (three of us are over 30) in the class seems to have improved professionalism and motivation in the other students since we were esentially serving as role models to them. I must say that I never got that kind of feedback when I was developing software... I say go for it.

notadoc

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39? I'd love to be 39 again!

I went back to school for nursing at 51, became a nurse at 52, and think that if you are going to make a career change you are at the perfect age to do it. You still have plenty of time to gain years of experience.

Men fare well in nursing from what I see. They are disproportionately represented in management positions, probably from the same paradigm that rules in all fields - men are more valued than women. And I'm not stating this from some resentment, it's simply reality as I have lived it all of my life.

Go for it. You have a lot to offer.

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