Should I become a Nurse at 30?

[flyfish108]

I am a 30 year old man, married with three kids. They are 5,3, and 11 months. 2009 was the most difficult time of my entire life. In September, we had a son that was born 3 1/2 months premature (26 weeks). The entire situation was very rare and strange as far as why he was born early. My other little boy who was 2 at the time, he had a virus called "fifth disease". He had a cold, fever and a rash with the virus for about 1 week. We knew absolutely nothing about this virus at the time, our pediatrician stated to us that it is very common in kids and is not a big deal.. She then stated to my wife "since you are pregnant you need to get checked to see if you have been exposed to the virus" She stated that it could be harmful if passed to our baby in the womb, but there is less than a 1% chance this could happen. Long story short, the virus was passed to our baby, he became sick to the point where he developed 'hydrops" fluid around all of his vital organs. He was dying, and his organs were shutting down. The Perinatoligists stated that they must perform a in-utero blood transfusion to save his life. During the blood transfusion, the transfused packed red blood cells created a blood clot in the umbillical chord and stopped his heart. We were rushed down to the Labor/Delivery room where he was delivered in 2 1/2 minutes (new hospital record). They revived him, he survived and was in the NICU for 74 days weighing 2 lbs. 3 oz.

While in the NICU w/ my son my entire life was put into perspective, I realize now what is important in life. I knew NOTHING about the NICU and/or preemies. Within the stay at the NICU with our son I became deeply fascinated with all of his treatment, I knew everything. What they were treating him with, why,how, when etc. It is how I coped with the stress of our son in his condition.

He is home now and doing very well. It changed my life forever and inspired me to want to become a nurse and/or Anesthetist. I have concerns that I wanted to mention and hopefully receive advice from others.

[*]I am 30 w/ 3 kids will I be able to handle full time school?

[*]I am currently unemployed, just laid off should I go to school full time at a Nursing trade school that is more accelerated?

[*]Does that look bad on a resume with an employer to have nuring degree from trade school and not a university?

[*]How much money can I expect to make my first year? (I was making $60,000 at my previous job, laid off)

[*]Should I go for Associate or bachelors of nursing initially?

[*]How much longer does it take to get my CRNA?

[*]Should I be concerned being a male nurse?

My wife stays home with our children, I am the sole source of income for our family.. I am scrared to death that I will go to school, get a nursing job and not make enough money to support my family. I TRULY want to be a nurse, I am ready to go.. I just hope that I can get some insight from others that have had a similar situation to mine that could help me along my path.

thank you,

Dave

[Jessax27]

I had plenty of people in my class that were 30, some 40 with kids and full time jobs ect. It is definitely doable. You would be surprised how many people get through it. How much you will make totally depends on a lot of different things main one being location. Nurses do make great money but like every job you have to work your way up. As for starting nursing school, in your case I can see benefits of starting with an associates degree. You can work a an rn and alway go back to school for the bachelors. Plus you will spend way less money and time if you decide it's not what you want to do afterall. Personally that's how I went through. I saw no differences until I started applying for specialty positions. Then they would obviously prefer a bahelors. Anyway. Being a male nurse these days doesn't have half the stigma (at least in my area) that it used to. It would really be the least of your wories during nursing school (trust me!) LOL good luck and j hope you make a decision that is well suited for you and your family!

[Nicky30, BSN, RN]

I became a nurse at 30 (I started studying when I was 26).

Yes I am a female - and I only had two children and my youngest was still a baby when I started study. My husband supported us for the first 6 months of study then I returned to the workforce.

I am not sure how I got through but I haven't stopped studying. My children are now 9 and 8, and I am a fully qualified RN, midwife and (the Australian system is different) am currently studying for a masters degree.

I guess my point is - if you want it bad enough somehow you will make it happen.

[brielle776]

Definitely do it if it is the profession you can see yourself in for the rest of your life. Some of the best nurses I have encountered are male. And 30 is young, so I would definitely go for it! Like the person above me said if you want to do it bad enough then you can make it happen. School isn't easy, and you might not start off making 60k a year right out of school, but there is a lot of room for advancement in the nursing field.

[CorpsmanRN, BSN, RN]

Wow, you have been through quite an ordeal. I'm glad to hear your son is doing well.

One thing I definitely looked for in a nursing program was that it was accredited. Starting with an ADN/ASN/etc. program at say, a community college, is definitely easier on the checkbook. I did an ADN program and then jumped into a RN-BSN bridge program at a University. The great thing is that I can go work as a RN while I'm in my BSN program - which may be good for you if you want to continue on in your education, but get going on bringing in income too.

I'm a new RN so not sure about the annual income (no job yet), it will also depend on your location. The best advice I can give is to really do your research. Look at everything, the various program requirements, costs, nursing in general, etc.

Good luck on your journey!

[rn4ever?]

Sorry to hear about that. It seems to me that your life experiences can help you become a really good nurse. Just go for what your heart desires. At 30, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't pursue a nursing degree if you truly want it. Making $60K in your first year as a nurse isn't impossible. Good luck!

[MJB2010]

I think with your heart in the right place, you should go for it! You would make an excellent nurse, and you would really be a great comfort to parents in the nicu, knowing that you have been in their shoes. I started nursing school at 30, graduated at 32 and just found my first job. I would suggest taking a prereq or two this semster since it is prob too late to get into the adn program, and try for winter admission. I would do ADN so you can start making a nurse salary sooner, and a lot of hospitals will pay tuition reibursement if you go back for your BSN. A few things to consider: New grads are having a hard time right now with finding jobs in some states, so look into the market in your area. AND it is hard (at least in my area) to get into a NICU spot as a new grad. Some states have internships & residencies in NICU, you would benefit by finding one of these. I would look into school that will give you a Preceptorship, Externship/Intership or Practicum experience in the nicu, it will help you get a job. Network while there. My nursing program had a very short Peds/maternity rotation, I got to see the NICU once but never do a day of clinical there.

Nursing school is no joke, you will be studying & going to clinical and not have a lot of free time to do anything else. We used to say our house was "nursing school dirty" a few weeks into the semester, lol cuz you just dont have the energy when you get home after being in school all day. I would suggest if you can trying to get a part time or Per Diem job at a hospital in the area in which you wish to work after graduation. I would ask at the hospital your child was at, if they have any openings.

Best of luck! Follow your heart! Everything happens for a reason!

[HHeuer]

Im 42, just starting school. When I say just starting, I really mean just starting! :) I am taking 3 classes this semester and hopefully a few more next semester. It will be a long road but its my dream. I also work full time and have 5 kids..3 are in college, 1 is a junior in high school and the youngest is 8. We are never too old to learn something new.

As far as the money..I will be giving up a job that makes around 70,000 a year. I enjoy it and love the people I work with but nursing is my dream...I should have started years ago, but Im on the right road now!

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Wow, your family has been through a lot! I would say go for it, in my graduating nursing class of 77, 25 were men and the oldest in my class was in his 50s, so 30 is not to late.

School is doable, I am a single mom of 2, worked part-time and school fulltime and was able to participate in my kids lives ( I would go to basketball games, texbook in hand)

When thinking about cost a community college is more affordable then a trade school or a universisty.

Pay depends on what area of the country you are in, I know in Calif they make close to $50 starting, where I am at starting in a hospital is $30, clinics and MD offices are around $22, so it depends

[westmidwest]

30 is not too old. nursing is fantastically rewarding. i went to a top nursing school and the nursing curriculum is hard, I say this as someone who has several degrees from other top schools and nursing was the very challenging. I would advise you to get a bsn or entry level masters as an aa prevents you from working at a huge majority of institutions. I think you will be able to make sufficient money IF you can find a job. The job market for new RN's is absolutely brutal, particularly if you live in a major metropolitan area. There is no guarantee you graduate and find a job, you can ask 3/4 of my class who graduated 6 months ago.

best of luck

[Flying ICU RN]

A brief synopsis.

I was 31, but no family yet (read my profile).

My salary at this point in my career, is solidly in the top 1%.

The "opportunity cost" for CRNA school for me is $500 K.

Best of luck!

[swirlything]

I went into nursing school in my mid 30's. I graduated last year at the age of 38. I chose nursing after having a 25 week preemie that died in the NICU after 7 months. I now work in the NICU myself. My time in the NICU as a parent is likely what landed me my job.

Can you handle school with 3 kids? It's a sacrifice, but if you AND your wife decide to make it a priority, then yes.

As far as making $60K as a new grad, that depends largely on where you live, and if you work days or nights.

I recommend an Associates degree from a community college. Then start working. Then do your RN-BSN at a university while you are working; there are a lot of online programs. The community college will be much less expensive than a university. Do not go to a trade school, you can only get an LPN there. You want to start with at least an RN, which an associates degree will get you.

My understanding is that to get into CRNA school, you have to have your BSN plus a year or two of ICU experience. I've heard that some CRNA schools will not allow you to work while you are in the program (not sure how they can do that, but it's what I've been told).

I don't think you need to be concerned about being a male nurse, there are a lot of you. We even have male nurses in the NICU.