To go into Nursing or other health care field?

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Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

Hello all,

I'd like to to introduce myself. I'm a 39 yo male planning on retiring from the military next month, I'm currently in WA state but I have family in E. TN and WNC. I'm thinking of moving to E. TN or WNC to be closer to family and then go to college to get into nursing or another health care related field. I've been an EMT and a CNA in the past, not in the last 10 years though and I don't know if I still have the knack for hands on care.

My questions are:

Should I go into nursing or another health care field (radiology, health care administration, etc,). I'm trying to think long term as to employment prospects, pay, working conditions, flexibility and being a man in a woman dominated field.

What are my choices as to actually getting into a school, I should have my bachelor in History completed this summer and I'd like to start a BSN or another course of study. Any good schools that are easy to get into in E. TN or WNC?? Here in WA there are many preq classes and long waiting lists.

Finally, I've been west of I-5 interstate for 12 years now and I'm used to the quicker pace of life, higher pay and all that comes with living in a bigger city and faster growing region. I'm not sure if I'd fit in and could adjust to a different lifestyle. What do you think? The areas I'm considering are Johnson city, Knoxville and Asheville, NC areas.

I'd appreciate any advice. I'm looking at moving in the next 1-3 months.

Tony in WA

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Hi,

Congratulations on your pending retirement. Honestly, you have to do something that is going to make you happy. Overall, it has to be something you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life that is also going to pay you well. My sister is a nurse and I know it can be "catty" among the women, I am not sure about male nurses. There is a male nurse forum where you can get some feedback on current male nurses and how it is working out for them.

As far as your move...I am going to take a guess and say the larger the city, the more likely it will have more schools and you may get in quicker in a larger city than a smaller city/small towns.

Here is a link that may help... http://www2.state.tn.us/health/Boards/Nursing/RN.htm it is a list of RN programs from the State of TN Board Of Nursing website. Good luck to you in all your endeavors. I am originally from NY and I love living in Tennessee now. It is laid back and perfect for my kids, when I want excitement I go to Atlanta. Hope everything works out.

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Specializes in Float.

I have heard wonderful things about ETSU up in Johnson City. I would definitely look into them. I think UT is a little harder to get into..have heard they like very high GPA..but am not certain. Roane State is a big program and they have several campus locations. Very few schools in TN have waiting lists. Most have certain points criteria. Many may meet the MINIMUM requirements but those with the highest points get in (points may be based on GPA, ACT, classes already taken etc) I only know of one school that uses a waiting list and that is in Middle TN...basically if you meet the min qualifications you go on the list.

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Specializes in Float.

Chattanooga is also a pretty area and I've heard great things about UT-Chattanooga. They also have chattanooga state..don't know much about them.

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welcome and congrats on your retirement/my brother is a marine and just got out and struggled with the same problem. He could not decide wiether to go back into the marines or he was really intrested in radiology but..... he has gone back in service.

I think nursing really has to come from the heart. You have to love it and everything about it. If it is in your heart go for it. It is a great job but the difference in a good nurse and a great nurse is the passion for your patients.

good luck and best wishes

beth

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