Career Change

[Anonymous]

I'm 43 years old and I'm an Administrative Professional and I have worked in this field my entire life. I enjoy my current job and I have a great boss and really nice and interesting co-workers. I'm good at my job and my current salary is 53K. I have an Associate Degree in Accounting and I'm contemplating a career change. I have always wanted to work in the Healthcare field. I would like to work directly with people. I'm just concerned about my age and whether or not this will work out for me. It is not that I do not like my current position, but I cannot imagine doing this for another 20 years.

Has anybody changed careers at this age and how did this work out for you? The kids are a lot more independent now and I'd have time to go back to school.

[Anonymous]

My friend became a nurse around your age. Another friend switched from IT to becoming a math teacher in high school.

You could do it! Just make sure your starting salary will be at LEAST $53k, and will move up, otherwise it's not worth it.

[Anonymous]

What are your tangible skills?

Going back to school may not be ideal. A nurse I'd a very physical job and starts lower than your salary.

There are many positions in a dr practice (manager, assistants, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are your tangible skills?

Going back to school may not be ideal. A nurse I'd a very physical job and starts lower than your salary.

There are many positions in a dr practice (manager, assistants, etc)

This. Please take this into consideration in making your decision.

[Anonymous]

Clinical research would be an option- monitoring clinical trials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your tangible skills?

Going back to school may not be ideal. A nurse I'd a very physical job and starts lower than your salary.

There are many positions in a dr practice (manager, assistants, etc)

This. Please take this into consideration in making your decision.

If you are located in DC, a new graduate nurse makes more than your current salary. The starting rate at my hospital is $27 an hour, not including shift differential, holiday pay, overtime, etc. You do have to rotate shifts and the job is very physical. I would suggest shadowing more than one person in the healthcare field before you make the decision to go back to school.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you thought about applying your skills in a healthcare environment? A lot of community colleges are offering Health Information Management degrees. It might be something you could transition to without being an actual hands-on healthcare provider.

[Anonymous]

You could also become a medical coder/biller. Sorry, you don't really specify what part of healthcare interests you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your tangible skills?

Going back to school may not be ideal. A nurse I'd a very physical job and starts lower than your salary.

There are many positions in a dr practice (manager, assistants, etc)

This. Please take this into consideration in making your decision.

If you are located in DC, a new graduate nurse makes more than your current salary. The starting rate at my hospital is $27 an hour, not including shift differential, holiday pay, overtime, etc. You do have to rotate shifts and the job is very physical. I would suggest shadowing more than one person in the healthcare field before you make the decision to go back to school.

Yes, it's important to consider this. My brother, who was a nurse, broke his back a year ago, and is struggling to survive. He's on disability but that doesn't even come close to covering his bills. He is now trying to figure out what else he can do at the age of 60 that isn't so physically demanding.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the input. I had thought about nursing, but like some of you mentioned, I worry about the physical aspect. I'm pretty fit right now and definitely look much younger than my 43 years of age, but fact is that I AM 43 and not getting any younger. I have been looking into the allied healthcare field - Health Information Management etc. and that might definitely be something that is of interest to me. I'm very organized and detail-oriented. I just want to do something a little different. I figured that if I have to work another 20 years, it might as well be doing something that I enjoy a little more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you thought about applying your skills in a healthcare environment? A lot of community colleges are offering Health Information Management degrees. It might be something you could transition to without being an actual hands-on healthcare provider.

This. Check salaries (I don't know), but the skill set is right in your wheelhouse and there is TONs of demand for people who can navigate medical coding. You can also work for either a provider or a payer.