40oldnewbie

HAHA. Guess I shouldn't have said "old".....cuz 32 is not old and 43 isn't that old either:) I was just reflecting on a career changers as opposed to first degree nurses. We are as old as we feel..... hope you are having a successful transition to your new career.

Just wanted to get a feel for how all the "old" newbies are doing. I'm 40 something, career changer, RN in 2010, seeking employment and going to grad school MS in Wellness Management. I have a previous BS in bio, squeaked through. Worked various jobs from pharm tech to med research. Became a SAHM until going back to school. I loved school this time around & made 4.0 in all pre-reqs and nursing. Got scholarships and awards- overall an awesome experience. I think that returning students can be successful in school because we've developed other skills through life, work, kids, etc. I was much more organized and dedicated than at 20 yo. (not to say other 20 somethings aren't ) Work was another story. I think the life experience/self awareness became a detriment. I was really good at relating to patients and families but the other stuff was overwhelming. I know that's normal, but it the transition was extremely harder than when I was younger. Probably because I realize how little I know, how dangerous I am because of the lack of experience, the magnitude of liability, and the fear of making mistakes. It's like me being afraid to use the computer but the kids jumping right on and figuring it out. When we're 22, we're invincible! Now at 43, not so much. I left my first job because of the stress- just couldn't handle the constant worry, heavy pt loads, etc. I think at a younger age I would have survived being thrown to the wolves. I was not able to adapt as well. Also, at our age, we tend to have expectations about how things should be, how people should act, and how we, ourselves, should be. I felt like a complete failure and it's taken a while to reconcile all of it. the experience made me focus on the aspects of nursing that I love. In a few weeks I'll be starting back to school. I hope to use the MS to get into pt education or community health. I love teaching and the psycho-social part of nursing. thanks for "listening". I'd love to hear from other career changers.