Should I become a nurse?

[linlee]

I am thinking of going back to school to be a nurse. I'll try to condense my background info: B.S. in elementary ed., taught 7 years, SAHM 11 years, subbed part-time 8 years, taught full-time this last school year. Teaching isn't what it used to be; I didn't enjoy it and felt that it consumed my life. I worked 50-60 hours/week and still was told at the end of the year that I wasn't good enough. No warning, no chance to change anything. So now I'm 52 years old with 2 kids in college and 1 in high school and unemployed. We can make it on my husband's income, but not help kids with college much. But maybe it's better for us all in the long run if I have a more satisfying, better paying career.

I want a profession where I'm helping and working with people and still making a good living. Is it worth it to become a nurse at my age? How physically demanding is it? (I can't lift a lot due to a back problem.) Is there a way to use my teaching skills in healthcare? What other health related fields could I consider?

All suggestions welcome!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Most beginner-level nursing jobs are very physical. At your age, and with your existing back problems, I wouldn't recommend starting a nursing career at this stage of your life -- especially if you don't have a burning desire to be a nurse as the foundation for your choice. It's just going to be too hard for you, not practical.

I recommend you find a job building on your teaching experience. You'll make out better financially even if the pay is not great because you won't have the big expense of paying for college again. If you are really interested in health care, look for opportunities in health education, teaching people about health and wellness. You can even get a degree in that.

If you really hate teaching and want health care ... look at other health fields that don't involve lifting patients and equipment.

I am sorry to sound so discouraging, but I really don't think that investing thousands of dollars in a nursing education is going to be the solution to your career problems -- and good for your family's finances. Nursing school is expensive and both physically and mentally stressful. Entry-level nursing jobs are also difficult. At this point in your life, you need to find a decent job that you can slip into with minimal stress -- and continue to do as you move into your 60's.

Good luck to you.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Corporate training. The material & concepts are straight forward but many industries struggle securing qualified personnel to develop efficient training material and methods to present the materiel to staff. Contract clinical pharmaceutical research organizations have had such roles in the past. The clinical staff develops the procedure & methodology. The educator/training specialists develop the training presentation, SOPs, procedure guides and training classes.

No lifting involved.

[mvm2]

Is there somewhere in the field of teaching that you could love and still use your teaching degree. What about being a tutor either private or working at a place like Sullivan.

There are a lot of online programs as well that might be looking for qualified teachers.

[RescueNinjaKy]

I would advise caution because nursing is quite physically demanding. There's lifting, and a lot of walking back and forth and standing. It's a killer on your legs and your back.

Also nursing isn't going to be a pretty picture that will ease your troubles from your teaching job. Yes, there is the feeling of making a difference and being appreciated but at the same time there are times, quite often actually, that it will be mentally tiring, thankless, and seemingly pointless. Patients and their family aren't always grateful or pleasant.

And you can do everything right for them and go the extra mile but sometimes it won't seem like you're making a difference. And let me tell you, it's tough when you're doing everything you can and you're giving them all the resources for a healthier life but they refuse. coronary artery disease patients who's had stents and needs a coronary artery bypass but still smokes and refuses to quit and is no compliant to boot.

Let's not forget the times when you're understaffed and you know you're providing good care but not the excellent care that you want to just because you don't have the time. I've had patients who really could use some therapeutic company and I couldn't provide it despite having great rapport with them, and why? Because I had other patients to attend to.

I love my job and I love nursing. But just make sure it's something you absolutely want before investing so much time, money, hopes, and life into it.

[IznThatGrrate]

I'm not a nurse yet, but I am 46 and will be starting nursing school next month. I chose nursing because I wasn't satisfied with my current career and I also wanted to help people. Nursing has many different areas that you can choose. You can work with children and babies which requires less heavy lifting than with adults. Granted, I am not a nurse and the nurses here are speaking to you from their experiences on the physical demands on your body.

You stated you have back problems, but you didn't state the cause. Could starting an exercise regime help get you physically ready to handle the demands of a nursing job?

Let me ask you a question now. What is it that you want? Do you want to be nurse? Do you believe that becoming one is going to give you the fulfillment and satisfaction that teaching couldn't give you?

From all that I've been reading and researching, nursing is a difficult job and it takes a person who is determined, giving, and willing to sacrifice. Is that you? If so, don't let anyone here or outside of here sway your decision because it is never too late to follow your heart and fulfill your dreams.

[linlee]

Thank you all for your comments! You've given me good points to consider. I am seeing a doctor today about my back, so we'll see what can be done about that and go from there.