I've been thinking about going back to school to become a nurse. I currently work as an interior designer, I have been in this field 15+ years. I'm beyond burnt out on working for 100% commission. And my field is changing and it's not getting better.
I thought about, and actually started, taking computer aided design courses that would land me a job in automotive design--I live in Detroit. But one major problem--I would hate to be in front of a computer all day!
As an interior designer, my favorite part of my job is human connection. I'd be miserable in front of a screen all day. I'm passionate, hardworking, and a true people person.
I've always been a pretty good student. I've been looking over the HESI exam and I'm not very intimidated by it, even though I plan to study study study.
My sister and her daughter are both nurses. I told her yesterday I was seriously considering going to nursing school. Her first thoughts "you will hate nursing school and you will hate being a nurse."
Is there something I'm not thinking about? I plan on quitting my job next mouth and taking the 3 prerequisites I need to apply. Beaumont hospital has a volunteer program and I will apply for a position there this summer.
Any older students out there? Are you happy? Regretful? Thanks For listening 😊
Being one of the ones who waited until my son had graduated to start Nursing School, I can tell you it was rough. But if the desire, stamina and willingness to learn are there you will do find. I agree with following a Nurse for 12 hours and see what she actually does is a good way to know if it is something you want to do. I agree there are many things a Nurse can do, so it does leave your options open. I worked for 2 years as a float CNA while in Nursing School. I floated to the Burn Unit, Med Surgery, Pediatrics, Nero-Surgical and even the inpatient Psychiatric area. It gave me a good idea of they type of Nursing I wanted to do and also the Nurses I would not want to work with as well as the other staff in that area. Good luck! You sound like a strong independent woman who will land on her feet know matter what you choose. Be willing to change and learn and you will be successful no matter what you choose.
Your story is similar to mine. I'm somewhat of a professional student and entered nursing after careers in several other fields. My nursing class had students ranging from 20 to 60.
As far as I'm concerned, 40 is still very young. While age is not really a factor for entrance into nursing school or nursing employment, health is. Bedside nursing is quite physically demanding in most venues. Nevertheless, at one of my jobs, several of the nurses are 60+, one is in her early 70s, and another is 80! The octagenarian has a ton of energy can run circles around nurses and aides a quarter or half of her age!
The previous suggestion to shadow a nurse for a full shift is a great one. Similarly, your plan to volunteer could help you obtain employment after graduation. However, have you considered becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA)? Experience as a CNA may help to boost confidence during nursing school clinicals. Plus, since you will be supervising CNAs, it would be helpful to have firsthand knowledge of what they do. Also, nurses are still required to perform basic nursing care including toileting, incontinence care, etc.
Nursing is definitely a tough job, but I am making it work for me for now. I work for two facilities and enjoy them both. However, I have enjoyed my previous careers as well ... and nursing is not my last stop.
While your sister may be well meaning, only you can decide if nursing is a good fit for you. Like your sister, I have counseled my sister against nursing school. In her case, I advise against it because, although she is very smart, she does not like and has never liked school. Nursing school is jam packed with reading, APA, papers, group projects, tests, and clinicals. A person has to want the end goal badly enough to jump through all the hoops, of which there are many, required for licensure. That's why I just don't think nursing is for my sister, but I would love for her to prove me wrong, if it's really what she wants!
Many people start the process of prerequisites and nursing school, yet never finish. Additionally, many nurses leave the profession within the first few years. It is easy to burn out in this demanding profession. Please go into it with eyes wide open.
Best wishes on your second-career journey!
P.S. BTW, we're neighbors, as I also live in Detroit.
I was wondering about being a CNA. Do you see that many nurses start off here? My sister did. Do you know of any places, that you would recommend, in the Detroit area to obtain this certification?
I will be 40 and July and will be graduating school and may I also have four kids ages 13, 10, 8 & 4. In my opinion if I can make it through nursing school anyone can but I can't say that I love it. Going to nursing school with kids for myself and my classmates with children has entailed us basically pushing our family off to the side but if your girls are ground it may not impact your family as much. There are parts of being a nurse that I love and our parts that I don't like as much but for me the good outweighs the bad. Patients can sometimes be frustrating and it is rough when the census is high or someone calls out. If you like caring for people you should enjoy being a nurse. I kind of have a love hate thing with school. I love learning but it has been so incredibly hard. If you aren't sure get a PRN job AS A CNA. THE Experience will let you know if it's up your alley or not. Best of luck!
I quit my corporate job to enter into my first year of college August of 2013 when I was 49 years old. I decided to finally follow my dream of becoming a nurse. My goal was to take my pre-reqs and enroll in the community college nursing program in the fall of 2014. My plan did not go as I had hoped, I wasn't able to complete all my pre-reqs until the Summer of 2014 putting me a semester behind. I did enroll into the spring 2015 nursing program at my community college nursing program and I was accepted. I was so excited! I began the journey on 1/20/2015- I will graduate in the Fall of 2016 and I will be an RN. Has it been challenging? Yes! Having a plan in place will help you greatly and knowing that dedication is huge! If this is something you really want, it won't feel like you are giving up anything when you are in the midst of all of the homework, care plans, and days at clinical. Housework will need to be delegated to other family members, having a support system will help you and you have to ask for help and not feel bad about it. Trying to fit in as an older student is somewhat challenging, but staying focused on the goal ahead has helped me. My purpose of this comment is really just to tell you 'YOU CAN DO IT!' You are never too old to start something new if it is something you really want! Everyone has different opinions on any given subject, but if you are going into nursing for the right reasons, to really be a caregiver, you will do great! Good luck to you!
I graduated May, 2014, at the age of 48 from Nursing School and am now an RN in ICU. I too did a 360 degree turn after being in Accounting/Finance most of my life. I love it and don't regret a minute of it, but it isn't for everyone. Make sure this is really what you want. Not going to sugarcoat it for you...school is going to be tough. I had a wonderful, supporting man that put his foot in my but every time I came down those stairs from studying crying because I didn't think I could do it any more. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, with the exception of burying my husband at the age of 39 after a year long battle with lung cancer. In no way am I trying to dissuade you from this, but also get ready to give up your "life" as you know it for the duration of the nursing program. For me it was all worth it in the end. My school career is not over yet. I plan to start my BSN soon, take the CCRN exam and then hit the Travel Nurse circuit and see places of the US that I have never seen. The possibilities are endless with an RN degree. I do not regret changing my life for a minute.
I graduated May, 2014, at the age of 48 from Nursing School and am now an RN in ICU. I too did a 360 degree turn after being in Accounting/Finance most of my life. I love it and don't regret a minute of it, but it isn't for everyone. Make sure this is really what you want. Not going to sugarcoat it for you...school is going to be tough. I had a wonderful, supporting man that put his foot in my but every time I came down those stairs from studying crying because I didn't think I could do it any more. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, with the exception of burying my husband at the age of 39 after a year long battle with lung cancer. In no way am I trying to dissuade you from this, but also get ready to give up your "life" as you know it for the duration of the nursing program. For me it was all worth it in the end. My school career is not over yet. I plan to start my BSN soon, take the CCRN exam and then hit the Travel Nurse circuit and see places of the US that I have never seen. The possibilities are endless with an RN degree. I do not regret changing my life for a minute.
Thanks for responding. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you're a very strong person. Good luck with finishing your BSN. Oh, and cute black kitty ;-)
I went back to school for nursing at 44, and don't regret it. I like doing patient teaching, you'll be surprised how many people don't know anything about their medications, and what there for. You will have to go through a vigorous curriculum to achieve your goal. Stick with the most challenging clinician that really pushes your thinking process, you'll need it. Keep in mind that there is so many specialties out there, so boredom shouldn't be a problem........Good luck to you........
I graduated with GPA 3.9 last May and got RN license in September. I am still looking for a job!!!!
I am 41, have no clinical experiences but a fine art degree before Nursing.
I heard lots of stories about this job market... It seems that there are tons of inexperienced new graduates without job while the demand of market is so low unless you are "EXPERIENCED". People who don't really know about the inside story believe that nurses are always in high demand. But guess what? I think it is very misleading concept. I understand there will be a nursing shortage in the near future (~2028) when about the time those currently experienced nurses are retiring (including you and I!). It sounds promising for those young folks in their early 20' now as they will be well seasoned by the time of high demands in the future.
Besides, nursing is not anything like visual art. It requires not only hard working but some sort of fortified mentality that seems always giving and scarifying before you for patients, team, and etc. I don't know about you if you fit into this category...
If you still consider nursing, I would strongly suggest you to go and have some experiences as CNA or PCT. It will definitely help you to get an idea and to get a job once you get RN license.
I don't really want to disappoint you or giving a negative feedback. But I think you need to know the reality to make such an important decision.
Right now, I am so sick to my stomach for the time I have invested and how hard I worked for nothing...
Specializes in Documentation, Medication Administration.
I had two classmates who were both 42 years old at the time they were studying in nursing school. Both of these women were the same age as my mom. When I first applied to a nursing school in Vallejo, the staff thought that my grandma's the one applying to go to school. I was the youngest in my class being 19 at the time.
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Being one of the ones who waited until my son had graduated to start Nursing School, I can tell you it was rough. But if the desire, stamina and willingness to learn are there you will do find. I agree with following a Nurse for 12 hours and see what she actually does is a good way to know if it is something you want to do. I agree there are many things a Nurse can do, so it does leave your options open. I worked for 2 years as a float CNA while in Nursing School. I floated to the Burn Unit, Med Surgery, Pediatrics, Nero-Surgical and even the inpatient Psychiatric area. It gave me a good idea of they type of Nursing I wanted to do and also the Nurses I would not want to work with as well as the other staff in that area. Good luck! You sound like a strong independent woman who will land on her feet know matter what you choose. Be willing to change and learn and you will be successful no matter what you choose.