So here I go....

Published

I'm hoping I'm in the right place for this; this site is so huge I may have missed the appropriate forum...

Here's where I'm at: changing careers in my late 30s (this probably isn't the first time you've heard this story, I know). My wife works at a hospital (she's not a nurse) and came up with the idea the other day of trying to get me a job there in some capacity (I've been working on commission and the market for it has gone south; plus, I've always hated it).

So this got me to thinking (dangerous, I know) and I started doing some research about various possibilities in health care. Nursing jumped out, as I think I'm too old to consider medical school (combined with the fact that I have less than no interest in becoming a doctor), yet I want more of a challenge (academically, at first, anyway) than a tech position (no offense against techs of any kind meant at all; just not a direction that initially appeals to me personally), and I'd like something that has room to grow. I'd never thought of it before, but as I began to look into the curriculum, I thought, hey, I can do this and, what's more, I think I might actually enjoy it. (Plus, my mother's a nurse; I have no idea how she'll react if I decide to do this. lol)

I've gotten as far as discovering that the local state university has a nursing program (I'm just a bit too far out to commute to some of the larger universities in the general area) and plotted out the prereqs at the local JC (I can get them done in a year).

What I'm hoping to get from some of you fine people is perspective, advice, encouragement or discouragement, etc. Just general thoughts from people with experience for someone looking to get into nursing. Anything you think is useful that you're willing to share would be most appreciated.

Thanks very much for your time.

sf

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i guess the first thing you have to find out is whether the hospitals there will be hiring new nurses who lets face it are a little yknow on the older side? because if you do become a RN and the hospitals dont hire older new nurses you might have problems. but if they will be hiring, go for it i guess

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Well, they can't discriminate against you because of age--and being in your thirties isn't old!!!

Nursing is great; some other challenging positions you might consider includes respiratory therapy, lab tech (usually requires a bachelors in lab science), radiology tech, ultrasound tech (both of which are pretty competitive and require a lot of sciences and highly specialized classes).

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I was in your shoes just a few years ago. I am in my mid 30's, male, married, 3 kids, worked in idustrial management (factory foreman). I got laid off and now I am an RN. I think it is the best thing that could have happened to me. I met a friend that I used to work with at the factory the other day and when he found out what I was doing now...well as another man you can guess the look I got from him. "you are doing what?". Then the question, "why did you decied to go into that?" I told him this: You know that feeling you get when you help out some one, like if they are stranded out on the road any you fix the car for them or anything like that? I get that feeling everyday and get paid for it.

If you take the leap, it will not be an easy thing, but it is well worth it.

Good luck to you either way.

Tom

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sounds like you've got a plan. Good luck to you!! Welcome to Allnurses.

Working as a tech is definately a good idea, if you have to work that is. It will give you a feel for nursing, give you confidence to deal with patients and get the basic care down.

Good luck!

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.

The curriculum is challenging. I had no idea when I first started in to it how much knowledge a nurse has to have. I loved learning the intricacies of the human body. Fascinating! Such delicate balances, all happening way below conscious level.

Anyway, you have to be sharp, and that's a good thing if you're worried you'd be bored at something less. Grin. I doubt nursing will ever be boring.

As for age...HAH! I'm 47 and will be graduating in a few months. I am finding no discrimination based on age. As a matter of fact, in some cases they are saying it is a bonus in my favor. Life experience is worth a lot. I applied for two positions here before I decided to relocate and was offered a job both times. I've got more than one interview scheduled where I am relocating to. Not one of them was put off by my age.

An extra benny...I know our nursing program was really encouraging men to apply, so your being male might help you get in to a program if the programs around you are impacted.

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Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

:welcome: :welcome:

First things first: you are NOT too old. I was 46 when I graduated from nursing school and I was not the oldest in my class. We had several employees (or employees on leave) from a major air carrier who was and is having financial difficulties. They were generally in my age range and 2-3 of were male. Your life experience does count. The oldest person in our class was 62 - he was successful in computers and got downsized! He's an excellent RN/employee!

No doubt about it - nursing school is tough. Do your prerequs first so all you'll have is your nursing classes. Do try to work in some capacity in the hospital. If not as a tech, try unit secretary. I did that for 8 years and the experience was invaluable. We have a male secretary in our division who has just now gotten into nursing school- he'll be terrific.

Good luck

Cindy,RN

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Go for it! A few months back I posted a question about the average age in nursing school. I'll be in my late 20-s almost 30 when I start nursing school so around 32-32 when I finish and thought the class would be full of recent high school graduates and that I would be the oldest...but from the post several people replied that nurisngfor them was a later in life career choice and that several didn't begin nurisng school until their late 30 and some 40s.

So good luck to you!

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i guess the first thing you have to find out is whether the hospitals there will be hiring new nurses who lets face it are a little yknow on the older side? because if you do become a RN and the hospitals dont hire older new nurses you might have problems. but if they will be hiring, go for it i guess

I think this is kind of a snotty remark :banghead: and completely unfounded, no? You're certainly not old & not even on the older side. It sounds like you're doing all the right homework to starting a new career! Good luck :)

A

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Wow, thanks so much everyone. I've had some pretty cracked ideas in my time (just ask my wife...lol), so it's great to get so much confirmation with what I'm thinking so far.

I've had success in studying the sciences before, so I'm not worried about that. What I've mostly been wanting, other than a fairly comfortable living, is a job where I could feel like I'm making a difference to other people. Being cynical, I thought that was a pipe dream, but I've now read so many stories here and elsewhere about people getting satisfaction from their work that I'm now allowing myself to get my hopes about the possibility of having such a career myself.

I've researched a lot of other careers in my time and something always comes up that makes it clear that it's not for me. The more research I do on nursing, however, the more it becomes clear that I can start taking the next step.

Thanks again, everyone. I really appreciate the input.

sf

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Specializes in ED.
i guess the first thing you have to find out is whether the hospitals there will be hiring new nurses who lets face it are a little yknow on the older side? because if you do become a RN and the hospitals dont hire older new nurses you might have problems. but if they will be hiring, go for it i guess

This a ridiculous comment.

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It would also be a good idea for you to check the pre-nursing forum here in allnurses.

Good luck

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